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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05/27/2026

Citizens and Soldiers of the Upper River Valley: The 98th Ohio’s Civil War

05/28/2026

Children’s Book Club

05/30/2026

Votes, Voices, and Victory: A Buffalo Tour Celebrating Suffragists with Shea’s & SUFFS

06/03/2026

Building the City of Good Neighbors: The History of Immigrants in Buffalo

06/06/2026

Pan-American Walking Tour

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

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

Thursday, May 21

Cornerstone placed for Asbury Delaware Methodist Church, 1874

Babeville, 341 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA

Slavery prohibited in what is now Ontario, Canada, 1793

Newsboys & Bootblacks' Home opens, 1885

Eastern State grain elevator imploded, 2000

1132 Military Rd, Buffalo, NY 14217, USA

Friday, May 22

First voyage of the Canadiana, 1910

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Orphan Home incorporated, 1874

Mineral Springs Road, Mineral Springs Rd, West Seneca, NY 14224, USA

Buffalo Free-Net incorporated, 1996

Hollister grain elevator destroyed by fire, 1858

Saturday, May 23

Village of Blasdell incorporated, 1898

National Civic Federation holds National Conference on Taxation, 1901

Buffalo Historical Society, Pan-American Exposition

Construction of Love Canal begins, 1894

Niagara Falls, NY, USA

Sunday, May 24

Firefighter Fred Buscher expelled for using abusive language, 1858

Whitney Place

Buffalo Mardi Gras Parade & Festival incorporated, 2000

Victory Day at Pan American Expo, 1901

Cornerstone laid for first firemen's monument, 1869

Forest Lawn Cemetery, 1411 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209, United States

Monday, May 25

Union of American Hebrew Congregations meets in Buffalo, 1921

Hotel @ The Lafayette, 391 Washington St, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA

Earthquake of 3.0 magnitude recorded, 1995

Wolcottsville, Niagara County, NY

AAM Accredited Museum Badge