The Buffalo History Museum

Waterway of Change

Visit Us at Canalside

This exhibit invites visitors to explore the transformative story of the Erie Canal. It begins with the traditional homeland of the Haudenosaunee and the canal’s opening in 1825, tracing how it helped turn Buffalo into a bustling port and shipping hub by the late 19th century.

It also highlights the diverse perspectives of Indigenous Peoples, Black individuals, women, and immigrant communities affected by the canal’s development, offering a richer understanding of its cultural and historical significance.

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02/04/2026

Happy Hour History: It Is Up to Us

02/07/2026

“Return to the Rainbow City” Indoor Walking Tour

02/10/2026

Memory Cafe

02/15/2026

Lincoln’s Birthday Celebration

02/18/2026

3rd Annual Presidential Palooza

02/19/2026

Trivia Night

02/20/2026

M&T Third Friday

02/20/2026

Junior History Buffs

02/21/2026

Voices for Freedom: African American History in Buffalo Tour

03/14/2026

“Return to the Rainbow City” Indoor Walking Tour

Shop Uniquely Buffalo Gifts

Museum Shop

Find a variety of gifts in-person at our Museum Shop as well as a selection of gifts in our online store.

Picture Store

Browse our extensive photo collection and decorate your home or office with classic Buffalo images.

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On This Day In Buffalo

Wednesday, January 21

Tewksbury crashes into Michigan St. bridge, 1959

Iroquois Door factory destroyed by fire, 1923

Exchange & Larkin St.

Old Settler's Festival at St. James Hall, 1869

$1 million hanger to be built, 1957

Buffalo Niagara International Airport, 4200 Genesee St, Cheektowaga, NY 14225, USA

Thursday, January 22

Architect Richard Upjohn born, 1802

Designed St. Paul's Cathedral

Tanker car explodes, 1958

Niagara Junction Railway, Porter Rd., Niagara Falls, NY

Former President William H. Taft is a guest of the State Bar Association, 1915

Death of Roycroft artist Alexander O. Levy, 1947

Friday, January 23

Your Host restaurants incorporated, 1947

Automobile traffic returns to downtown Main Street, 2015

National Handwriting Day

Buffalo population passes 200,000, 1883

Saturday, January 24

Niagara Falls High School destroyed by fire, 1922

Niagara Falls, NY

First Methodist Episcopal church dedicated, 1819

Franklin near Niagara

St. Vincent's Female Orphan Asylum incorporated, 1849

NHL All-Star game in Buffalo, 1978

Buffalo, 1978

Sunday, January 25

Buffalo Creek Railroad incorporated, 1869

American Hotel destroyed by fire, 2nd time, 1865

Main near Eagle

Sattlers closes and files for bankruptcy, 1982

998 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14212, USA

Jersey St. Methodist Episcopal Church destroyed by fire, 1873

AAM Accredited Museum Badge