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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04/01/2026

Vintage Tweets: Suffrage Era Postcards

04/04/2026

“Return to the Rainbow City” Indoor Walking Tour

04/08/2026

Colored Musicians Club: Jazz Appreciation featuring Jay/Sharptet

04/11/2026

Arabic Heritage Month Celebration

04/12/2026

Silent Screams Exhibit Opening

04/14/2026

Memory Cafe

04/17/2026

M&T Third Friday

04/17/2026

Junior History Buffs: Building Strong Children with Frederick Douglass

04/17/2026

An Evening with Frederick Douglass

04/22/2026

Erie County RSVP Orientation

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

Friday, March 27

Town of Newstead established, 1823

Masten Park High School destroyed by fire, 1912

Firemen's Benevolent Association incorporated, 1837

Buffalo & Niagara Falls Electric Railway incorporated, 1893

Saturday, March 28

First Presbyterian Church dedicated, 1827

WGR-AM radio begins broadcasting, 1922

Directors decide to postpone Pan American Exposition until 1901 due to Spanish-American War, 1898

Sunday, March 29

Ice jam causes Niagara Falls to stop flowing, 1848

Groundbreaking for Explore & More Children's Museum, 2017

Town of Lancaster is Established, 1833

Lancaster, NY, USA

Musica Sacra, a singing society, founded, 1820

Monday, March 30

WNED-TV begins broadcasting, 1959

Hotel Henry ribbon cutting, 2017

Richardson-Olmsted Complex

Tolls end for telephone calls within Buffalo & Erie County, 1963

Author David Sedaris give a reading, 2001

Rockwell Hall, 1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222, USA

Tuesday, March 31

Cleveland Hill school annex fire, 1954

Cheektowaga, NY, USA

John W. Cowper construction company incorporated, 1915

New York State legalizes recreational marijuana use, 2021

Buffalo Fire department tests its first motorized fire engine, 1912

Church Street & Delaware Avenue, Church St & Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA

AAM Accredited Museum Badge