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

Tuesday, September 19

Evans grain elevator destroyed by fire, 1862

Ground broken for Delaware Park, 1870

Buffalo Courier-Express publishes final issue, 1982

Death of Mary Jemison, 1833

Buffalo Creek Reservation

Dalai Lama speaks in Buffalo, 2006

University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA

Village of Akron incorporated, 1849

Wednesday, September 20

Dr. Frances E. Fronczak born, 1874

Lancaster Opera House reopens after restoration program, 1981

Lancaster, NY

Buffalo Jewish Veterans Club incorporated, 1945

Holland Land Company deeds over land for Franklin Square Cemetery, 1821

Now the site of Erie County Hall on Franklin St.

Celebration of Buffalo's 125th anniversary begins, 1957

Albert J. Myer born, 1828

Newburgh, NY 12550, USA

Elizabeth Taylor & Mike Todd visit UB, 1957

University at Buffalo - South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA

Former President George H.W. Bush tours Roswell, 2000

First public cemetery established in Buffalo, 1821

92 Franklin St, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA

Welsh Day at the Pan-American Exposition, 1901

St. Catharine's Day at the Pan-American Exposition, 1901

Franklin Square, first cemetery, established, 1821

Old Erie County Hall

Thursday, September 21

Dold Feed Company warehouse destroyed by fire, 1953

Michigan Avenue on the Buffalo waterfront

Buffalo Bowling Association incorporated, 1942

Erie County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals incorporated, 1888

Lackawanna Steel workers walk off the job as part of the Great Steel Strike, 1919

Bethlehem Steel Plant

Nurses' Associated Alumnae Day at the Pan-American Exposition, 1901

Good Roads Day at the Pan-American Exposition, 1901

Watson grain elevator destroyed by fire, 1907

Friday, September 22

An estimated 7,000 workers at Lackawanna Steel go on strike, 1919

Lackawanna, NY, USA

Tommy Dorsey & Frank Sinatra perform in Norton Hall, 1941

University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA

Birth of Buffalo artist Hubert Crawford, 1910

Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

Buffalo Industrial Exposition opens, 1915

Broadway Auditorium

Steelworkers go on strike, 1919

Bethlehem Steel plant, American Brake Shoe Co., possibly others

Saturday, September 23

Steelworker Casimir Mazurek shot to death at Lackawanna Steel Plant, 1919

Bethlehem Steel Plant

IRS Agent Michael Dillon killed in the line of duty, 1983

Cheektowaga, NY, USA

Singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco born, 1970

Buffalo, NY, USA

Glen Park Casino destroyed by fire, 1968

Williamsville, NY

Didier Pasquette walks tightrope, 2010

Above Liberty Building, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA

Allendale Theater opens, 1913

203 Allen St, Buffalo, NY 14201, USA