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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11/04/2026

The American Revolution, Genocide and Seneca Dispossession: Or, Why an Indigenous Right to the Land Remains in Western New York

11/05/2026

A Look at the Life of a Visionary – Edythe “Kitty” Turgeon

11/06/2026

History Meets the Huddle: Behind the Scenes Tour of the World’s Largest Buffalo Bills Collection

11/07/2026

Return to Rainbow City Tour

11/08/2026

19th Annual Japan Culture Day

11/10/2026

Memory Cafe

11/12/2026

Trivia Night – November

11/18/2026

Youth Forum: The Next 250 Years

11/20/2026

M&T Third Friday

11/20/2026

Junior History Buffs – November AM

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

Monday, November 2

Wilcox Mansion designated a National Historic Landmark, 1966

The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, 641 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA

First firemen's monument unveiled, 1870

Forest Lawn Cemetery

Buffalo Union Furnace Co. incorporated, 1900

President Grover Cleveland travels to Buffalo to vote, 1885

Tuesday, November 3

Buffalo Niagara International Airport opens, 1997

Forever Elmwood incorporated, 1994

International Railroad Bridge opens, 1873

ReTree Buffalo established, 2006

Wednesday, November 4

Six members of the West Side Rowing Club fly out of Buffalo to compete in the Olympics, 1956

Melbourne VIC, Australia

The Seneca Chief canal boat arrives in the New York harbor, 1825

Penn-Dixie cement silos demolished, 1977

Woodlawn, NY 14219, USA

Thursday, November 5

National Doughnut Day

Shirley Chisholm becomes the first African-American woman elected to Congress, 1968

Nirvana performs at UB, 1993

University at Buffalo

Genesee Pure Food Co. changes its name to Jell-O Company, 1923

Friday, November 6

Independent Order of Odd Fellows Niagara Lodge founded, 1839

South Division Street, S Division St, Buffalo, NY, USA

Woman suffrage passes in New York State, 1917

Death of William Wells Brown, 1884

W.S Grattan fireboat arrives, 1900

Buffalo harbor

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