Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events

  • This day in history: October 31

    1825

    The flotilla of boats bearing Governor Clinton and party arrived in Little Falls at 10 o’clock in the morning as a part of the grand opening of the Erie Canal. His boat, “Seneca Chief,” was towed across the aqueduct to the basin. Following a parade, a banquet was held at McKinster’s Tavern. This occasion was the first authentic appearance of what was later known as the Little Falls Military Band. Elijah Case, Jr. was the leader of the band.

    1908

    The Little Falls Fish & Game Club received a carload of pike fry from the state hatchery in Constantia. The consignment was dumped into the Mohawk River near Jacksonburg. Anglers are looking forward to good fishing.

    2019

    Father J. Thomas Connery, age 82, as swept away in flood waters in the town of Norway while endeavoring to get to Newport to say mass on All Saints Day. Father Connery’s first assignment as a priest was at St. Mary’s church from 1963 to 1966, and he later returned to Little Falls as pastor from 1981 to 1990.

  • This day in history: November 1

    1891

    Forty-eight Italians arrived in Little Falls from Buffalo to work on the Little Falls – Dolgeville railroad.

    1893

    “Big Frank,” the little 90 pound kangaroo, which was to have boxed at the Star Academy, died in that building from cramps.

    1952

    Radio station WLFH broadcast a pre-election segment to supplement their coverage of the Get Out the Vote campaign which began on Oct. 8 with the mission of registering unregistered voters and continued through the month as this week’s Election Day approached. The program was a live broadcast from 6:30-6:45 hosted by committee chairperson, Edwin Marion, who summarized the efforts and interviewed 4 key volunteers in the campaign: Mrs. Frederika Conrad, Miss Inez McCoy, Chief Francis Reardon and Mr. Walter Sheff.

From the Cooney Archives

News and Updates

Come and enjoy Christmas in Little Falls!

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Plan a visit to the Little Falls Historical Society Museum on your list of fun activities during Christmas in Little Falls at the Old Bank Museum on December 14.

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Dr. D. Willard Bliss summons Alexander Bell to use his induction-balance device to locate the assassin's bullet, which is something of a metal detector device; unbeknownst to them all, is that Garfield's mattress was lying on top of metal springs, which were uncommon at that time. After 80 days of suffering, he died from infection from the gunshot wound. The D. in the Dr. Bliss' name stands for Doctor, given as his first name at birth.Dr. D. Willard Bliss summons Alexander Bell to use his induction-balance device to locate the assassin's bullet, which is something of a metal detector device; unbeknownst to them all, is that Garfield's mattress was lying on top of metal springs, which were uncommon at that time. After 80 days of suffering, he died from infection from the gunshot wound. The D. in the Dr. Bliss' name stands for Doctor, given as his first name at birth.

Garfield’s whistle stop – 1880

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In the presidential election of 1880, — General James A. Garfield, Republican nominee for president, brought his campaign to Little Falls on August 4 with a “whistle stop” on the New York Central.

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First Trolley at Little Falls #24First Trolley at Little Falls #24

Inter-urban trolley lasted 30 years

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The electric trolley started in Little Falls in 1903 with great fanfare, a convenient and, for awhile at least, popular way to travel between Little Falls and points west and south.

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Earl Roberts - First Car Manufactured At Little FallsEarl Roberts - First Car Manufactured At Little Falls

Cars still a relative novelty at time of ‘Sociability’ run

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Automobiles were still a relative novelty in Little Falls in 1909 when the Smith brothers, proprietors of the Richmond Hotel (later called Hotel Snyder) concocted the idea of a “Sociability” automobile run from the city to Cooperstown and back.

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Little Falls High School class of 1954

Nostalgia

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Nostalgia becomes a personal emotional experience. In times of stress, nostalgia can provide a retreat, a respite, a way to feel less alone.

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Advertisement for Barnum's Circus -August 22, 1822

Jumbo entertains Little Falls

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On Tuesday, Aug. 22, 1882, Little Falls played host to a 12-foot tall, 6½ ton entertainer, whose reach extended 26 feet from the ground.

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Boy's Basketball Team 1901Boy's Basketball Team 1901

Little Falls was basketball pioneer

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When basketball was new, Little Falls (along with Herkimer) was one of its pioneering communities and had some of its better teams.

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