Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events

  • This day in history: September 28

    1805

    On this date Alexander Ellice died in Bath, England. The Ellice Estate, headed by his son Edward, an influential member of the British House of Commons, maintained a tight grip on water rights along the river at Little Falls, and other aspects of the life of the community. Ellice had acquired a valuable mill-site at Little Falls from Sir William Johnson.

    1839

    The first Methodist church in Little Falls, built on Third Street, was dedicated on this date by Bishop Elijah Hedding. The parish outgrew this building and built a new church in 1876. The old building became the Polish Community Association.

    1968

    Riverside Industrial Park, situated on 24 acres between the railroad tracks and the Mohawk River just west of Hansen Island, is being developed by the City of Little Falls.

  • This day in history: September 29

    1895

    Miss Charlotte E. Davis of Little Falls, better known as the professional aeronant of the Mohawk Valley, was married in Johnstown to Professor George J. Bush, also a professional aeronant, from Blissfield Michigan.

  • This day in history: September 30

    1887

    Professor William Rullison, the great trapeze aeronaut, is visiting his native Little Falls, after a successful Rockaway Beach tour with T. S. Baldwin, the parachute jumper. Rullison has made over 900 ascensions on the flying bar, hanging by his toes.

  • This day in history: October 1

    1875

    The Merchants’ and Farmers Bank is doing business at the Banking House on Main Street in Little Falls. Banking hours included Saturday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M.

    1883

    Large crowds lined up to purchase tickets for the first passenger train to leave Little Falls on the West Shore Railroad. The West Shore depot was later called “South Little Falls.”

    1895

    D. H. Burrell & Company have recently imported the ”Thistle Mechanical Milking Machine” from Scotland for their operation on their Hilltop farm. The machine at the Burrell farm milks ten cows at once, averaging one cow per minute, with favorable results.

    1958

    The Salada-Shirriff-Horsey Company of Boston, Mass., Plant City, Fla., and Toronto, Canada, will acquire the “Junket” Brand Foods Division of Chr. Hansen’s Laboratory, Inc. of Little Falls, as of this date.

    1974

    The newly built quarters for the New York State Employment Service opened today at 690 East Main Street, the site of the former  Knights of Columbus Home which had been razed.

From the Cooney Archives

News and Updates

Rialto was Little Falls’ movie palace

Rialto memories

When preparing to write this article, I asked readers for their memories of the Rialto and received the following replies.

2024 Annual Report

View the 2024 Little Falls Historical Society Annual report Including membership, sponsors, online activities, writing series, and more.

Rialto was Little Falls’ movie palace

Rialto was Little Falls’ movie palace

The Gateway Theatre in Little Falls, later to be renamed Rialto, first opened its doors to the public on October 22, 1923.

Old-time southsiders Father Dan Lanza and Joe Vespasiano at 2019 South Side Reunion

Little Falls’ South Side in the 1930s – 1940s: A Remembrance of Time and Place

As long as I can remember my father, Joe Vespasiano, loved to share his stories, and he had a lot of material.

Little Falls Historical Society | Little Falls NY

The Little Falls Historical Society hits the ground running in 2025

We are eagerly anticipating this year’s Writing Series with new historical articles that highlight life in Little Falls.

Noted actress Laura Keene, and John L. Sullivan, the heavyweight boxing champion.

Keene, Sullivan, among those who played Little Falls

Two of the famous people who performed in plays in Little Falls were the noted actress Laura Keene, and John L. Sullivan, the heavyweight boxing champion.

Come and enjoy Christmas in Little Falls!

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.

Become a Member

Individual Membership

Individual | $10

Sustaining | $25

Patron | $50

Student | $5

Family Membership

Family | $15

Business or Corporate Membership

Sustaining | $25

Patron | $50

Silver | $75

Gold | $100

Platinum | $200

Contact Us

Little Falls Historical Society Museum
319 South Ann Street
Little Falls, NY  (Get directions)

(315) 823-0643

Contact the LFHS

Use this form for general inquiries.

OLD BANK BUILDING MUSEUM IS OPEN FOR THE 2026 SEASON BEGINNING MAY 29, 2026.

Monday, Wednesday, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Alternate Fridays from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
(beginning Friday, May 29)
Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon

For appointments, please call
Louie Baum at 315-867-3527
Mary Ann Terzi at 315-823-1502
Jeff Gressler at 315-823-2799

PLEASE CONTINUE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA FOR UPDATES ON OUTDOOR EVENTS, VIRTUAL TOURS & NEWS.
319 South Ann Street, Little Falls, NY, 13365