Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events

  • This day in history: November 20

    1873

    The big steam fire whistle, bought by the Board, has been located on the Mohawk Mills (Old Stone Mill.)

    1896

    Five shares of Little Falls National Bank stock were sold at auction ($800 per share) and ten shares of National Herkimer County Bank stock ($850 per share) from the estate of Jonathan Beattie. The prices show the high standing of our local banks.

  • This day in history: November 21

    1921

    Bootleggers, using three powerful automobiles, made a valuable haul of nearly one hundred cases of wines and liquors, with a monetary worth of $10,000, from the home of L. O. Bucklin on North William Street.

    1931

    State Highway Commissioner A. W. Brandt rebuffed Little Falls’ request to build Route 5S over Lovers’ Leap through the city’s south side “when it cannot take care of the notorious River Road” which he deemed as one of the most disgraceful stretches he knows of for a main line road.

    2014

    A fire of major proportions was adverted at historic St. Mary’s church when a young man walking his dog at 11:30 pm alerted the Little Falls fire department of a fire in progress. Several area fire departments responded, and the fire was confined to a storage room. The church itself only had smoke and water damage.

  • This day in history: November 22

    1832

    We are happy to announce that the stone bridge across the Mohawk River is completed. It reflects to great credit the mechanical skills of Robert Stewart and Captain William Chase.

    1902

    The cornerstone of the Bethel Mission Chapel on the south side of the city was placed today. The construction is being paid for by David H. Burrell, head of the great Burrell & Co. industries,  on a lot donated by William Milligan, the venerable retired president of the National Herkimer County Bank.

    1920

    The Women’s Christian Association (W.C.A.) was formally opened, before a crowd of over 500, for the use of women and girls of Little Falls. It was affectionately dedicated to the memory of Anne Louise Burrell who was a pioneer in work for the higher interests of girls and women. Visitors were escorted through the building by the Girl Scouts.

    2013

    Little Falls resident Mary Woodward Pillsworth was an eye witness to history. Fifty years ago today, Mary, a women’s news reporter for the Dallas Morning News was directly in front of the Texas School Book Depository when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. She is considered the fifth closest witness to the assignation, and can be seen in the Zapruder film.

From the Cooney Archives

News and Updates

Springtime Greetings Historical Society Members

Spring’s arrival serves as a reminder for me that our directors and officers need to communicate a number of updates to our membership.

A SAILOR AT HEART | THE LIFE STORY OF CHARLES P. BYRON

The prelude to the life story of Charles P. Byron begins as one walks through the entrance of the Old St. Mary’s Cemetery.

The Great Bicycle Relay Race of 1892

THE GREAT BICYCLE RELAY RACE OF 1892

The Great Bicycle Relay Race was published in The Saturday Globe. This article has been adapted and added to by Ann Eysaman Schuyler.

2023 Annual Report

View the 2022 Little Falls Historical Society Annual report Including membership, sponsors, online activities, writing series, and more.

LUNDSTROM BOOKCASE’S LONG JOURNEY HOME

Lundstrom sectional barrister bookcases are often found in local law offices and private homes,holding sets of law books and personal libraries.

2024 HISTORICAL SOCIETY WRITING SERIES DEDICATED TO EDWIN VOGT

2024 HISTORICAL SOCIETY WRITING SERIES DEDICATED TO EDWIN VOGT

In recent years, the Historical Society has dedicated its annual writing series to three teachers, Harold Templeman, Hector Allen, and Helen Dunteman, and to former city historian, and one of the Historical Society’s founding members, Edward Cooney. The Society’s 2024 writing series is being dedicated to Edwin Vogt.

The Bowie Knife

Mysteries of the Bowie Knife by Ann Schuyler

I sat by the window on the night of September 29th watching the last of four Super Full Moons when random memories ran through my mind.