Buffalo Maritime Center

It is the mission of the Buffalo Maritime Center to provide everyone the opportunity to experience the joy of being on the water, to learn maritime history, and to achieve higher levels of craftsmanship. Through collecting, preserving, and interpreting maritime artifacts, we share our passion for traditional skills, experiential learning, and the rich maritime culture of the Niagara Frontier.

At present, the 28,000 square foot facility at 90 Arthur Street in Riverside provides educational programs, like the Hand-to-Hand Student Boat Building Program, a working boat shop, a bronze foundry, a metal shop and a library, exhibit space and archives all dedicated to the maritime material culture and history.

The Buffalo Maritime Center is also constructing a traditionally built, full-sized reproduction of the Erie Canal Boat “Seneca Chief,” to commemorate the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal happening in 2025. The boat is being built in full public view at the Longshed Building at Canalside with volunteers.