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The Buffalo History Museum

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The Buffalo History Museum has been Western New York's premier historical organization since 1862. They are the keepers of the authentic stories that make our community unique. Their collections, exhibits, and programs tell the stories of the people, events, and movements that demonstrate Western New York's essential place in shaping American history.

An inspired group of history makers founded The Buffalo History Museum, then called the Buffalo Historical Society, in 1862. They assembled a unique collection of regional paintings, photographs, artifacts, and manuscripts to share with researchers and the public.

To accommodate the organization’s rapid growth, operations moved into one of three buildings that comprise the current museum campus. Buffalo architect George Cary designed the New York State Building, hostess for the 1901 Pan American Exposition, which was intended to remain the permanent home for local history. Their mission expanded, and exhibitions to share the collection emerged as a priority.

From handwritten business ledgers to innovations marking industries, from folders of neighborhood photos to complete soldiers’ footlockers, by 1950 the Museum cataloged and safeguarded a vast array of treasures. Westward expansion, entertainment industrialization, immigration, transportation, presidents, military and social history are reflected in their collections and tie us to our nation’s story.

In 2012, on their 150th Anniversary, they became known as The Buffalo History Museum.

Today, they care for and share nearly half-million objects and their stories that characterize Western New York and draw national attention to our community.

Their mission is to experience history with you, by safekeeping, remembering, discovering, and sharing our stories; learning and exploring together; sparking emotional and social connections within our unique community.