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, May 27

Demolition begins on Castle Inn, former residence of Millard Fillmore, 1921

Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA

Cornerstone is Laid for New St. Stanislaus Church, 1883

Sunday, May 28

Walk-In-The-Water launched, 1818

Black Rock, Buffalo, NY, USA

Michigan Street Baptist Church founded, 1837

Bishop Richard J. Malone arrives in Buffalo, 2012

Dr. Ebenezer Johnson Named First Mayor of Buffalo, 1832

Ebenezer Johnson elected as City's first mayor, 1832

The Polish American Congress is founded in Buffalo, 1944

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at funeral for Ruth Whitfield, 2022

Mt Olive Baptist Church, 701 E Delavan Ave, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA

Monday, May 29

First commencement of the University of Buffalo Law School, 1889

Lackawanna, NY chartered as a city, 1909

East High School dedicated, 1928

820 Northampton St, Buffalo, NY 14211, USA

Housewives blockade Lester Street, 1958

Lester Street, Lester St, Buffalo, NY 14210, USA

Tuesday, May 30

Teens riot aboard the S.S. Canadiana, 1956

S.S. Canadiana launches, 1910

Jesse Clipper Square dedicated, 1935

Vice President George H.W. Bush gives speech, 1981

Protests begin in Buffalo & around the world against the police killing of George Floyd, 2020

Federal courthouse, Buffalo

Headstone unveiled at grave of Ely S. Parker, 1905

Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, NY

St. Philip's Episcopal Church holds first meeting, 1861

Wednesday, May 31

Albright Art Gallery dedicated, 1905

Newspaper publisher Andrew Smitherman flees the Tulsa Massacre, 1921