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

Roycroft Campus

31 South Grove Street
East Aurora, NY 14052

(716) 655-0261

trip advisor rating

Roycroft Campus Copper Shop Gallery

31 South Grove Street
East Aurora, NY 14052

(716) 655-0261

trip advisor rating

Schoolhouse #8 History Center and Museum

2101 School Street
North Collins, NY 14111

(716) 337-3341

trip advisor rating

Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino

1 Fulton Street
Buffalo, NY 14204

(716) 299-1100

trip advisor rating

Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino

310 Fourth Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14303

(877) 873-6322

trip advisor rating

Seneca-Iroquois Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center

82 West Hetzel Street
Salamanca, NY 14779

(716) 945-1760

trip advisor rating

Shea’s Buffalo

646 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14202

(716) 847-1410

trip advisor rating

Steel Plant Museum, Inc.

100 Lee Street
Buffalo, NY 14210

(716) 821-9361

trip advisor rating

The Benjamin and Dr. Edgar R. Cofeld Judaic Museum

805 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14209

(716) 836-6565

trip advisor rating

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

641 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202

(716) 884-0095

trip advisor rating

Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse at Golden Hill State Park

Lower Lake Road
Barker, NY 14012

(716)795-3885

trip advisor rating

Ujima Theatre

429 Plymouth Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14213

(716) 883-0380

trip advisor rating
1 7 8 9