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

07/25/2026

Children’s Book Club at Waterway of Change

08/01/2026

Pan-American Walking Tour

08/02/2026

Black Experience Tour at the Waterway of Change Exhibit

08/02/2026

Women on the Canal Tour at the Waterway of Change Exhibit

08/02/2026

Builders of the Canal Tour at the Waterway of Change Exhibit

08/06/2026

A Little Building. A Big Party.

08/08/2026

Builders of the Canal Tour at the Waterway of Change Exhibit

08/08/2026

Women on the Canal Tour at the Waterway of Change Exhibit

08/11/2026

Memory Cafe

08/13/2026

Presidential Descendants in Conversation

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

Monday, July 20

Eagle Street Theater opens, 1835

Buffalo's First Electric Streetcars Began Operation, 1889

New York Central Terminal added to the National Register of Historic Places, 1984

495 Paderewski Dr, Buffalo, NY 14212, USA

First spaghetti with tomato sauce recipe, 1885

Tuesday, July 21

Ziegele Brewing Company destroyed by fire, 1887

Main and Virginia

Frances Folsom Cleveland born, 1864

168 Edward St, Buffalo, NY 14201, USA

Colored Musicians Club incorporated, 1935

145 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA

Western Star begins publishing, 1834

Wednesday, July 22

Beth El synagogue dedicated, 1850

Pearl near Eagle

Karibu News publishes first issue, 2015

Erie County chapter of Women's Christian Temperance Union founded, 1885

Lancaster, NY, USA

Buffalo's first Polish newspaper, Ojczyzna [Homeland] begins publishing , 1885

Thursday, July 23

Firemen's Benevolent Assn. monument dedicated, 1869

Forest Lawn Cemetery

Lafayette Hotel Company incorporated, 1903

Buffalo Daily Law Journal incorporated, 1973

Death of Joseph Ellicott, 1824

Friday, July 24

Abraham Lincoln visits Niagara Falls, 1857

Niagara Falls, NY, USA

Buffalo Skate Park opens, 2013

LaSalle Park

Chau Tu Hien Buddhist Cultural Center dedicated, 1999

647 Fillmore Ave, Buffalo, NY 14212, USA

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 237 chartered, 1914

AAM Accredited Museum Badge