Research Library
The Research Library is responsible for all two-dimensional items in the Museum’s collection: books, pamphlets, letters, diaries, personal papers, organizational and business records, periodicals, newspapers, scrapbooks, photographs, postcards, prints, drawings, posters, maps, atlases, microfilms, and even some DVDs.
Update as of 11/6/25:
As part of The Buffalo History Museum’s multi-year Master Plan, the Research Library’s hours are available again in a limited capacity as we implement a phased staffing transition. These changes reflect the next steps in expanding access and strengthening collections care. Our team remains available to assist you during this period, and we appreciate your patience as we continue this process to enhance the collections for future generations.
Through November and December 2025, in-person library hours are on select Fridays, 1-3 pm.
To book an appointment, visit Calendly. All appointments to our research library cost $15 per visit, and remain free for members.
We invite you to explore our online databases and digital collections, and perhaps one of the links below will answer your question right away.
- I want to see what is online
- I want to find pictures
- I want to search the library collection
- I want to search newspapers
- I want to donate an object
Unable to find what you needed? Questions can be directed to library@buffalohistory.org or to Senior Director of Collections, Michelle Harris at 76.873.9644, ext. 402.
Your support means a great deal to us, and we will respond to inquiries as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued interest in The Buffalo History Museum!
Library digitization supported by:
Research Library FAQs
Update as of 11/6/25:
As part of The Buffalo History Museum’s multi-year Master Plan, the Research Library’s hours are available again in a limited capacity as we implement a phased staffing transition. These changes reflect the next steps in expanding access and strengthening collections care. Our team remains available to assist you during this period, and we appreciate your patience as we continue this process to enhance the collections for future generations.
Through November and December 2025, in-person library hours are on select Fridays, 1-3 pm.
To book an appointment, visit Calendly.
All appointments to our research library cost $15 per visit, and remain free for members.
The Research Library’s staff can help point individuals in the direction of resources available to conduct research or a helpful list of Researchers for Hire, but they cannot undertake individual research assignments.
Nearly all architectural records, plans, and drawings within the Research Library are for public buildings such as offices, schools, churches, and hospitals. Only a few large mansions are included.
Yes! Cotton gloves are required whenever handling photographs, plenty of which are available on site. Everything else, with a few exceptions, may be handled normally as long as hands are clean and items are handled gently.
Resource Center
The Resource Center serves as the collections storage facility for the Museum’s three-dimensional artifacts. Collecting since 1862, the Museum cares for a vast collection—only about 10% of which is on exhibit at one time. We continue to collect artifacts that document the social, economic, and political growth and development of Buffalo and Erie County.
To make an appointment please call (716) 873 – 9644 ext. 402.
Resource Center FAQs
By appointment: Call (716) 873 – 9644 ext. 402 for more details.
Guests can view artifacts not on exhibit that are in storage during our Behind the Scenes Tours, offered periodically throughout the year. Visit our events section for information on our next tour.
To request a special viewing of any artifacts not on exhibit, please contact Michelle Harris, Senior Director of Museum Collections. Michelle can be reached at mharris@buffalohistory.org or (716) 873-9644 ext. 402.
The Resource Center was originally used as a trolley barn. The streetcars were stored in the building and you can observe the original tracks that are still visible in the floor.
The woman’s head was a replica of the entrance into Dreamland from the Pan-American Exposition, but was meant as a temporary fixture and is now removed.
