The Buffalo History Museum acknowledges the painful history of systemic racism and injustice experienced by the Black community locally and across the nation. The struggle for racial equality and social justice is ongoing; we will be allies through listening, education, advocacy and action.
We are dedicated to making our Museum a place for conversation and examination; a place where together we can make meaningful change happen.
We will continue to:
We recognize the troubled role museums have played in creating complicit narratives and the need to do a better job representing stories otherwise left untold. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to the collection and protection of Western New York’s artifacts and stories, and we promise to more fully represent the experiences of the Black community and other communities of color, for everyone, forever.
Black Lives Matter
Here are some organizations in our community to visit, support, and learn from:
African American Cultural Center
Buffalo Niagara Freedom Station Coalition/Michigan Street Baptist Church
Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission
Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center
Here are some service organizations and businesses in our community to visit, support, and learn from:
Black Love Resists in the Rust
List of Black Buffalo Businesses
As we plan the Museum’s reopening, we are more curious than ever to know how we can help our guests, partners, and neighbors adapt and thrive. How might we use our own heritage-inspired mission to help you and the communities that you serve and live in become stronger?
Please help us learn more by taking this short 10 minute survey online. Work on our Master Plan was well underway when the crisis hit. Your feedback not only helps us to deepen our understanding of what our region needs to move forward, but also what we can do to invest in the distinct strengths of all people who are shaping our region’s future.
Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts with us.
The Buffalo History Museum takes the health of our staff, volunteers, guests, and community as top priority. As a preventative measure in light of recent developments regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Museum, Research Library, and Museum Shop will be physically closed effective immediately until further notice. All public programs and events from now until further notice are also canceled or postponed.
While this was not a decision made lightly, the safety of our community comes first coupled with the guidelines and recommendations provided by health officials.
Continue exploring our region’s unique history through our digital resources and information, including issues of our NEWSLETTER, digital archival PROJECTS, and highlights from our COLLECTION. Additionally, we will continue to share artifacts, information, and more on our FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER.
Future updates, including potential closing extensions or cancellations, will be reflected here on our website and social media. We thank you for your support during this time and wish all wellness and safety.
The Erie County Department of Health WEBSITE has advisories, FAQs, and important local updates. They also offer a COVID-19 Information Line: (716) 858-2929 (M-F, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
New York State Department of Health offers Coronavirus Hotline: 1-888-364-3065
For national updates from the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) visit their WEBSITE.
Learn about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), prevention, and how it spreads on the CDC website.
Information about New York State’s Contact Tracing is available on their website.
If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, Erie County Department of Health website offers resources.