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

Larkin Gallery

701 Seneca Street
Buffalo, NY 14210

(716) 856-0810

trip advisor rating

Lipsey Architecture Center

444 Forest Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14213

trip advisor rating

Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises

210 Market Street
Lockport, NY 14094

(716) 433-6155

trip advisor rating

Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum

2 West Third Street
Jamestown, NY 14701

(716) 484-0800

trip advisor rating

Marilla Historical Society and Museum

1810 Two Rod Road
Marilla, NY 14102

trip advisor rating

Mark Twain Room

1 Lafayette Square
Buffalo, NY 14203

(716) 858-8900

trip advisor rating

Market Arcade

617 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14203

(716) 220-8468

trip advisor rating

Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission

136 Broadway
Buffalo, NY 14203

(716) 322-1002

trip advisor rating

Michigan Street Baptist Church

511 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203

(716) 847-6015

trip advisor rating

Millard Fillmore House

24 Shearer Avenue
East Aurora, NY 14052

(716) 652-4735

trip advisor rating

Motherland Connextions

471 Hyde Park Boulevard
Niagara Falls, NY 14303

(716) 282-1028

trip advisor rating

Murphy Orchards

2402 McClew Road
Burt, NY 14028

(716) 778-7926

trip advisor rating
1 5 6 7 9