Buffalo History

Uncover the History of Buffalo, NY

Buffalo’s history is surprising and rich, replete with countless historic sites and museum-worthy stories. Battles were waged here as the War of 1812 played out at Old Fort Niagara. Fortunes were made by the likes of William G. Fargo, founder of American Express and Wells Fargo. Jazz legends like Louis Armstrong jammed at our Colored Musicians Club. And American presidents lived, died, governed and were buried here. In fact, on one fateful day in 1901, the world’s eyes were on Buffalo when President William McKinley died at the hands of an assassin and Teddy Roosevelt was inaugurated as our 26th president.

 

The Gateway to the WestExplore Buffalo History & Museums

 

As part of a region occupied by the Seneca Indians for over 1,000 years, Buffalo originated as a small trading community in about 1789. It then grew quickly to become the quintessential 19th century boomtown, rising to industrial preeminence. The city’s position at the western terminus of the Erie Canal made us the “Gateway to the West”—the departure point for immigrants on their way to the heartland. Today this area has been newly revived at Canalside. Buffalo was also a gateway for runaway slaves seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad, then later fertile ground for the Civil Rights Movement.

 

From the Civil War graves at our historic Forest Lawn cemetery to the antique cars at the Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum to our nation’s largest inland floating history museum, the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park, Buffalo is home to the American experience. A trip to the Buffalo History Museum will get you started on your journey of discovery.

 

Explore Buffalo History & Museums

Historic Palace Theatre

2 East Avenue
Lockport, NY 14094

(716) 438-1130

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Historical Society of Clarence

10465 Main Street
Clarence, NY 14031

(716) 759-8575

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Holland Land Office Museum

131 West Main Street
Batavia, NY 14020

(585) 343-4727

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Hollywood Theatre

39 W. Main Street
Gowanda, NY 14070

(716) 532-6103

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Iron Island Museum

998 Lovejoy Street
Buffalo, NY 14206

(716) 892-3084

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Black-Owned Business

Jefferson Street Heritage Gallery

607 Jefferson Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14212

(716) 854-8392

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Jell-O Gallery and Leroy House

23 E Main Street
Le Roy, NY 14482

(585) 768-7433

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K Art Gallery (contemporary Indigenous art)

808 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14202

(716) 216-2941

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Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum North Hall

220 North Street
Buffalo, NY 14201

(716) 885-1986

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Kenan Center

433 Locust Street
Lockport, NY 14094

(716) 433-2617

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Knight-Sutton Museum

123 Main Street
Akron, NY 14001

(716)542-7022

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Lafayette Square

Main @ Court Street
Buffalo, NY 14202

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