The Research Library is responsible for all two-dimensional items in the Museum’s collection: books, pamphlets, letters, diaries, personal papers, organizational and business records, periodicals, newspapers, scrapbooks, photographs, postcards, prints, drawings, posters, maps, atlases, microfilms, and even some DVDs.
Want to plan in advance for researching at the Museum’s Research Library? Here is a slideshow to prepare and know in advance to make best use of your research time.
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Below are some forms to submit fin preparation for your visit to the Research Library and to help grow your research.
The Resource Center serves as the collections storage facility for the Museum’s three-dimensional artifacts. Collecting since 1862, the Museum cares for a vast collection—only about 10% of which is on exhibit at one time. We continue to collect artifacts that document the social, economic, and political growth and development of Buffalo and Erie County.
The Resource Center also houses a premiere exhibit on the Pan American Exposition, Spirit of the City: Imagining the Pan American Exposition. The exhibit is open to the public during M&T Third Fridays or by appointment.
Mondays: Closed
Tuesdays: Closed
Wednesdays: 1 – 5 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m.
Thursdays: 1 – 5 p.m.
Fridays: 1 – 5 p.m.
Saturdays: 1 – 5 p.m.
Sundays: Closed
The Research Library is closed on national holidays.
Yes! A professional librarian is always on duty during the Research Library’s open hours and are available to assist guests.
Visitors can come to the Research Library during open hours, appointments are not necessary. For research assistance at other times, please email library@buffalohistory.org.
The Research Library’s staff can help point individuals in the direction of resources available to conduct research or a helpful list of Researchers for Hire, but they cannot undertake individual research assignments.
Nearly all architectural records, plans, and drawings within the Research Library are for public buildings such as offices, schools, churches, and hospitals. Only a few large mansions are included.
Yes! Cotton gloves are required whenever handling photographs, plenty of which are available on site. Everything else, with a few exceptions, may be handled normally as long as hands are clean and items are handled gently.
By appointment with Walter Mayer, Senior Director of Collections. Walter can be reached at wmayer@buffalohistory.org or (716) 873-9644 ext. 402.
M&T Third Fridays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Guests can view artifacts not on exhibit that are in storage during our Behind the Scenes Tours, offered periodically throughout the year. Visit our events section for information on our next tour.
To request a special viewing of any artifacts not on exhibit, please contact Walter Mayer, Senior Director of Collections. Walter can be reached at wmayer@buffalohistory.org or (716) 873-9644 ext. 402.
The Resource Center was originally used as a trolley barn. The streetcars were stored in the building and you can observe the original tracks that are still visible in the floor.
The woman’s head was a replica of the entrance into Dreamland from the Pan-American Exposition, but was meant as a temporary fixture and is now removed.