Experiencing history with you

by remembering, discovering, and sharing our stories; sparking emotional and social connections within our unique community.

1872 Hopkins Atlas Plate

1872


A map of buildings and owners in what we know as Canalside today. In 1872, when this map was made, Buffalo’s canal district was a dense, roiling center of commerce, industry, transportation, immigration, wealth, poverty, crime, and disease.

Red Jacket Medal

1792


Peace medal presented to Seneca orator Red Jacket by President George Washington in Philadelphia in 1792. The medal bears symbolic imagery of peaceful coexistence between the United States and Native Americans.

Apostolic Clock

1881


An iconic timepiece created over the span of 35 years as a passion project by local engineer Myles Hughes. Before his death in 1923, he donated it to The Buffalo History Museum to be shared with the community. Like many late 19th century monumental clocks, its design was inspired by the Strasbourg Cathedral Clock of 1842. Apostles parade around Jesus every half hour with Peter turning his back to Jesus.

Pan-Am Night Scene Panoramic

1901


In 1901 when the Pan-American Exposition opened, the sheer volume and color of electric lights, designed to be experienced after dark, was a new experience for Americans. This view, looking north from the Triumphal Bridge, includes the Temple of Music, Machinery and Transportation Buildings, Court of Fountains, Electric Tower, Manufactures Building, Liberal Arts and Ethnology Building, and part of the Government Building.

Evelyn Rumsey Cary Suffrage Poster

1905


This poster was a favorite of the women’s suffrage movement. Created by Evelyn Rumsey Cary (1855-1924) of Buffalo, it is an elegant example of Art Nouveau graphic design, depicting a female figure transformed into a fruit tree. The building behind her may be based on the east façade of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.

Iver-Johnson Revolver

ca. 1901


Iver-Johnson, 32 caliber, nickel plated revolver used by Leon Czolgosz to assassinate President William McKinley outside the Temple of Music at the Pan American Exposition.

Grover Cleveland’s Cake Box & Cake

1886


Cake box given as a wedding favor to the guests of the wedding of President Grover Cleveland to Frances Folsom in the White House on June 2, 1886. Inside the box there is still a portion of the dark cake that was given to the guests.

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Pony Coat

1919–1920


This overcoat belonged to Henry J. Miller. He was very close with his horse, Skip, and when Skip passed away in 1919, Henry had him made into this overcoat.

Larkin Photo in Atrium


The Larkin Administration Building was the first major commercial commission in Frank Lloyd Wright’s career. The central court shown here provided natural light to all five floors. The Larkin Building was demolished in 1950.

Scott Norwood Helmet

1985–1991


Scott Norwood’s only helmet worn in Super Bowl XXV, SB XXVI, Pro Bowl, regular season and playoff games from 1985-1991. It is part of the Greg D. Tranter Collection of Buffalo Bills Memorabilia.

Community & involvement.

There are many ways to become involved with the Museum and learn more about our region’s history. Two of the most popular ways to get involved are by becoming a member or volunteering.

Members support the Museum’s missions and activities for an annual fee with a number of benefits, including free or discounted admission to all programs, admission to special members only events, and more!

Volunteers assist with nearly every aspect of museum operations with invaluable contributions such as helping with fundraising events, giving museum tours, and cataloging artifacts.

Membership  |  Volunteer

Winifred Stanley Poster

1942


Pioneering attorney Winifred Stanley (1909-1996), who grew up in Buffalo and earned her law degree from the University at Buffalo, was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1942. In 1944, she introduced the first equal pay legislation in American history. She is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Tonawanda. Donated by Mary Louise Stanley.

Automaton

Ca. 1895


This is Madame Le Doll, an automaton imported from a doll show in Paris and was the highlight of the Great Buffalo Doll Show in 1895. With a turn of a key, Madame Le Doll turns her head, fans herself, twirls her parasol, breathes, and winks.

Mary Talbert Portrait

1929


Portrait of Mary Burnett Talbert (1866-1923) by G. Gonzalez, a civil rights activist, educator, and WWI Red Cross nurse. Talbert was a tireless worker for human rights in the late 19th and early 20th century and is perhaps best remembered for laying the foundations for the passage of the Dyer Anti-Lynch Bills.

On This Day In Buffalo

Saturday, December 2

Town of Marilla established, 1853

Congressional medal of honor awarded to Col. William J. Donovan, 1922

Der Weltbürger, first German newspaper, begins publishing, 1837

Pierce-Arrow Motor Car. Co. incorporated, 1916

Sunday, December 3

Wheeler grain elevator demolished, 2011

Charity Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital incorporated, 1891

166 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14204, USA

City of Tonawanda incorporated, 1853

Tops Friendly Markets incorporated, 1971

Erie County, NY, USA

Monday, December 4

Town of Elma established, 1857

The Who performs in Buffalo, 1979

Memorial Auditorium

Emma Goldman gives speech, 1897

Spiritualist Tabernacle

American Hockey League grants a franchise to Buffalo, 1939

Buffalo Fine Arts Society incorporated, 1862

Seneca women petition for the right to vote in Seneca elections, 1935

Allegany County Courthouse

AP correspondent & hostage Terry Anderson released from captivity in Lebanon, 1991

Paul Robeson performs in Kleinhans Music Hall, 1940

Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Cir, Buffalo, NY 14201, USA

Tuesday, December 5

Masten Avenue Armory dedicated, 1933

Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls born, 1965

Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences Inaugurated, 1861

Prohibition repealed, 1933

Wednesday, December 6

Polish Arts Club incorporated, 1954

Church of the Messiah (Universalist) founded, 1831

Van Morrison performs at UB, 1970

Clark Gym

Congress ratifies the 13th amendment, abolishing slavery in the US, 1865

Ella Fitzgerald performs, 1974

Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Cir, Buffalo, NY 14201, USA

Martha Graham performs at Buffalo State College, 1935

Buffalo State College