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.

Join Us

View All Events

06/09/2026

Memory Cafe

06/10/2026

East Presbyterian (Colored) Church: The Forgotten Congregation

06/11/2026

Paint the Town

06/19/2026

M&T Third Friday Juneteenth

06/19/2026

M&T Third Friday

06/19/2026

Juneteenth Junior History Buffs

06/19/2026

Juneteenth Junior History Buffs

06/19/2026

Juneteenth Junior History Buffs

06/27/2026

“Queen” City History Tours: History, with a Twist of Drag Flair

07/01/2026

Stars, Stripes and Stitches: 250 Years of American Quilts

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.

View Full Calendar

On This Day In Buffalo

Saturday, June 6

UB School of Social Work founded, 1935

Daughters of American Colonists, Buffalo chapter, holds first meeting, 1930

Women's Suffrage parade, 1914

Main Street, Main St, Buffalo, NY, USA

Hotel Men's Day at the Pan-American Exposition, 1901

Sunday, June 7

Buffalo Irish Club incorporated, 1943

Schoellkopf power plant collapses into the Niagara gorge, 1956

First annual national convention of the YMCA held in Buffalo, 1854

Father John Pitass ordained by Bishop Ryan, 1873

Monday, June 8

Driver Fred Jones fined for speeding, 1901

Main Street

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright born, 1867

First service held at Lafayette Presbyterian Church, 1845

Lafayette Square, 415 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA

Tuesday, June 9

Mattachine Society of the Niagara Frontier incorporated, 1970

Robert Moses State Parkway is renamed Niagara Scenic Parkway, 2016

Niagara Falls, NY, USA

Pan-American "Dreamland" replica dismantled, 2014

Resource Center, 459 Forest Ave, Buffalo, NY 14213, USA

Goo Goo Dolls release first album, 1987

Wednesday, June 10

Buffalo Daily Courier newspaper begins publishing, 1869

Architect Olaf Shelgren Sr. born, 1891

St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church founded, 1873

Former President Theodore Roosevelt gives speech, 1913

AAM Accredited Museum Badge