Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events

  • This day in history: March 28

    1908

    Rev. Henry Macilravy, an evangelist from Little Falls, is the spiritual adviser for Chester Gillette, the murderer of Grace Brown in the famous Adirondack tragedy.  He is working with Gillette’s family to free him from execution.

    1929

    The single blast of the fire alarm just before noon marked the flight over Little Falls by the noted avile atrix, Amelia Earhart. Bad weather forced her to land her tiny Avro biplane in a cornfield in Marcy. She was en route to Buffalo to attend an air exposition.

    1930

    A large contingent of 3,500 fans from Little Falls, travelled to Syracuse to see the Wilber Crisp coached high school team defeat Cohoes 25 to 9 to win the New York State basketball championship. Splendid teamwork on the part of the purple & white, and the scoring of Beck and Kane were too much for Cohoes. Crisp and Mucica heard over the radio after the game.

  • This day in history: March 29

    1832

    The Gansevoort Estate of Albany, which purchased local lands of Ellice, agreed to set up a public square as suggested by Arphaxed Loomis. It is now Western Park (Burke Park.)

    1844

    Temperance – The ladies of the village have sent to the Trustees a long petition, signed by over 200, praying the exertion of their powers to stop gaming houses and grant no more liquor licenses.

    1893

    As the village of Little Falls grew, it extended into the towns of Little Falls, Danube, and Manheim. On this date, voters passed a resolution, by a 914 to 77 vote, to petition the New York State Legislature for Little Falls to change its status to that of a city.

    1960

    The Joint Legislative Committee on Preservation and Restoration of Historic Sites has recommended that Moss Island  be given serious consideration by the State of New York as a park and geological site. Local residents, City Historian Edward J. Cooney and Donal Hurley have long championed the cause.

    1980

    Members of the LFHS 1929–1930 state championship basketball team celebrated the 50TH anniversary of the victory at a dinner party. In attendance were Milan Paracka, Sam Maddaloni, Jimmy Kane, Leland Clark, and Garner Beck.

  • This day in history: March 30

    1792

    The Inland Lock and Navigation Company was incorporated with General Philip Schuyler as president. The capital stock was $300,000, but the state added funds when necessary. The work at Little Falls cost $22,500.

    1795

    Workers on the Western Inland Land Navigation Company were paid as follows: Blacksmith 10 shillings (s) per day, Carpenters 10 s per day, and Laborers 6 s per day, and each was furnish his own bedding, provisions, and Liquors, and work from sunrise to sunset allowing one hour at breakfast and at dinner. The company will provide the cook.

    1797

    John Porteous was appointed postmaster at the little falls, and the post office was located in his store. The early mail was delivered once a week punctual by Adam Feeter.

    1811

    The New York State Legislature granted a charter to incorporate a part of the Town of Little Falls as a village. Agents for the Ellice Estate appear to have had a hand in drafting the charter of nine handwritten pages, as the powers were very limited. By 1811, Little Falls contained about 30 or 40 houses, stores, a tavern, some mills, and a church. The entire village was on the north side of the Mohawk River.

    1885

    A large fire at the Little Falls Knitting Mill, commonly known as “Bailey’s Mill”, caused about $30,000 in damages. Of major concern is the welfare of the two hundred and forty hands to whom the mill gave employment and who at this time are without work.

    1896

    The bicycle is fast becoming a popular means of recreation. A cinder path was laid out from Little Falls to Herkimer.

From the Cooney Archives

News and Updates

November 26 Little Falls Historical Society Meeting

The Little Falls Historical Society’s Tuesday, November 26, 7:00 pm meeting at the WCA will include a short business meeting, organization elections, and a digitized slide presentation on historic images of Little Falls. The Historical Society’s nominating committee has submitted a slate of candidates for all four officer positions and for the two board seats with […]

December 18: Annual Holiday Luncheon

The Little Falls Historical Society Museum will hold its annual Holiday Luncheon at the Travelodge Wednesday, December 18 at 12 noon. This is always a great time to enjoy time together during the holiday season. Please call Jeff Gressler at (315) 823-2799 for tickets.

October 22: HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING AT WCA

Longtime Little Falls resident Maynard Blask will be the guest presenter at the Tuesday, October 22, meeting of the Little Falls Historical Society. The 7:00 PM meeting is free and open to the public.  Blask’s presentation will focus on the 1970’s era renovation of Veterans Memorial Park and the Little Falls Mets. Maynard wants his […]

OCTOBER 17 CLOSING RECEPTION AT MUSEUM

The Little Falls Historical Society will hold a 2019 season-ending reception at their Old Bank Museum from 5:00 – 7:00 PM as part of Third Thursday activities on October 17. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Bus tour to Boston fundraiser • Downton Abbey: The Exhibition

A fundraiser for the Little Falls Historical Society Wednesday, September 25, 2019 $120.00 per person Reservation on or before September 11, 2019 Make Checks Payable: Little Falls Historical Society Mail payment to: 319 S. Ann St., Little Falls, NY 13365 EXPERIENCE THE HISTORY • THE FASHION • THE HOUSE Arrangements by Tours By Design Based […]