The Old Bank Building Survives and Thrives by Pat Frezza-Gressler

The wisdom of historic preservation has not always been a given. The desire by some to preserve old buildings and places is at times pitted against those who would rather “start over” with new construction.

In the early 1970s, many Little Falls residents wanted to tear down the Old Bank Building in the name of progress to make way for more parking spaces while a handful of early preservationists fought hard to preserve the iconic Greek Revival architectural treasure. The primary purpose of this article is to close out our BEYOND OUR BICENTENNIAL soon-to-be published book and focus on that structure once more.

“A sense of identity springs from knowing where you come from. It feels good to walk down the same streets your grandfather did, especially if there’s something about those streets that still looks like it did back then. That’s part of the reason people have taken to the streets, armed with paint scrapers, plumb bobs, old blueprints and memories: to rediscover their own town’s origins”

So opened the 1973 publication OLD GLORY: A PICTORIAL REPORT ON THE GRASS ROOTS HISTORY MOVEMENT AND THE FIRST HOMETOWN HISTORY PRIMER, published by the America the Beautiful Fund. The book celebrated and sought to serve as a guide for others, reporting on nationwide efforts of citizens to salvage “the history of American before it falls down, is paved over or dies with the lost memories.” How did the Old Bank Building and Little Falls make their way into the pages of this publication along with seventy-five other cities and towns from twenty-nine states?

Additionally, separate grants of $1000 and $6950 were awarded to the Little Falls Historical Society in 1973 as an organization that “gives aid to community projects to protect the quality of the natural, historic and manmade environment.” The uniqueness of an 1833 bank constructed of native stone and dressed limestone details was being recognized and efforts to preserve the structure were being lauded.

In 1970, the Old Bank Building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. An earlier article from the 2020 writing series, entitled “Old Bank Building Reaches a Milestone” captures much of the community drama that unfolded around this building. Controversy abounded between preservationists and those who chose not to see beyond the then present condition of the Old Bank Building. An article authored by Louis Baum in the book TOWARDS OUR BICENTENNIAL, and found on the Historical Society’s website, focuses on the detailed history of the Old Bank Building.

Shortly after the 1970 designation, the Utica Daily Press published an article entitled “Little Falls Bank Stirs Dispute” in which its author Richard Williams (Clinton historian) closed his piece with the question “… Will the bank building that began in the 1830s … fall prey to the cries of progress or will history and a unique remaining commercial bit of the Greek Revival style be maintained, rehabilitated and eventually used by Little Falls residents in the future?”

Dueling letters to the editor, articles reporting on the controversy, and competing ads in the Little Falls Evening Times illustrated the contentious debate on this issue. The Urban Renewal Agency and the then current city administration, along with a portion of Little Falls residents, called for demolition. On the other side of the issue were Historical Society members and other preservationists who fought to save the building from the wrecking ball. A compromise between new construction and historic preservation was eventually accomplished within the same city block.

This battle culminated with the 1976 purchase of the building by the Historical Society from the Urban Renewal Agency for $9000. The Old Bank Building’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places was the lynchpin for preservation. The building had been saved and then purchased by the Historical Society. Victory, sort of.

The immensity of building restoration lay ahead, the real battle had just begun. The Old Bank Building was in dilapidated condition and what followed was a protracted 1976 through the early-1980s complete restoration project carried out by devoted volunteers and skilled craftsmen alike. Since its 1985 official opening, the Old Bank Building Museum has been the repository for Historical Society archives and artifacts collected, stored, and displayed by a succession of committed Society members.

One purpose of this article is to help acquaint the current generation with the huge task of renovation that our forbears undertook and accomplished in turning this rundown historic gem into the vibrant community resource that it is today. May this awareness yield appreciation and a strengthened resolve by this and future generations to do their part to carry forward the torch and continue in the footsteps of those who preceded us by protecting much community history.

The “then and now” pictures that follow provide a visual testimony of the task that had been undertaken and accomplished by those undaunted foundation members. The task of maintaining the 188-year old building is an ongoing community obligation.

The seventy-five articles contained in this book reflect in part the expanded scope of activity that the present generation of Society members has undertaken in recent years. This would include:

• the creation of a yearly writing series focused on local history,
• the placement of various New York State historic markers,
• the partnering with former city historian Edwin Vogt and Harry and Kevin Enea to place a monument in the African American section of Church Street Cemetery,
• the establishment of a local Patriots Day through which events have been hosted at ten different important area historic sites,
• the co-sponsorship, along with the Little Falls Youth and Family Center, of the Little Falls Alerts vintage baseball team,
• the establishment of an ongoing partnership with SUNY Oneonta Cooperstown graduate studies program in museum studies focused on Little Falls’ rich history,
• the creation of a vibrant website and social media presence,
• the establishment of an annual academic scholarship beginning in 2022 to be awarded to a graduating Little Falls high school senior who will go on to study history or a related discipline and
• the growth in Little Falls Historical Society memberships from under fifty in 2008 to over two hundred and fifty from thirty-five states and Germany at present.

In summary, the role of the Little Falls Historical Society has expanded beyond our museum itself to have broader community educational impact. The founding Society members would much approve of this expanded activity as a continuation of their vision, persistence, and seminal work.

“It is said, at its best, preservation engages the past in a conversation with the present over a mutual concern for the future.

~ William Murtagh – the first keeper of the National Register of Historic Places ~

NOTE: Additional photos can be found on the LFHS website. Furthermore, due to the fact that the exhibits change, some of these newly updated pictures will also change, however the exhibits will remain on our website.

Pat Frezza-Gressler is a member of the Little Falls Historical Society.