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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07/14/2026

Memory Cafe

07/14/2026

Public Service at 250: New York’s Legacy of Civic Leadership

07/17/2026

M&T Third Friday

07/17/2026

Junior History Buffs

07/17/2026

Decades on the Dance Floor

07/20/2026

Fashion Lab NY Summer Fashion Camp

07/25/2026

Children’s Book Club at Waterway of Change

08/01/2026

Pan-American Walking Tour

08/06/2026

A Little Building. A Big Party.

08/11/2026

Memory Cafe

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

Friday, July 10

Lockport High School cornerstone laid, 1890

Lockport, NY

Millard Fillmore takes oath of office as President, 1850

US House of Representatives, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC 20515, USA

Lackawanna Public Library dedicated, 1922

Ridge Road, Lackawanna, NY, United States

Buffalo chapter of American Red Cross founded, 1916

Saturday, July 11

Battle of Black Rock, 1813

Scajaquada Creek

Cornerstone laid for St. Joseph's University church, 1893

First Niagara Movement meeting held, 1905

Erie Beach Hotel, Fort Erie, ON, Canada

Buffalonian Abner Cutler patents the first roll-top desk, 1882

Sunday, July 12

Islamic Society of Buffalo incorporated, 1999

Connecticut St. Armory suffers massive fire, 1982

Armory, 311 Connecticut St, Buffalo, NY 14213, USA

National Eat Your Jell-O Day

John Lay becomes the first person buried in Forest Lawn, 1850

Monday, July 13

Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church cornerstone laid, 1871

Delaware & Tupper

Hutchinson High School cornerstone laid, 1913

Elmwood Avenue, Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY, USA

Brush Electric Co. installs Buffalo's first electric streetlights, 1881

Ganson Street, Ganson St, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA

Capt. Richard M. Sroka dies in Vietnam, 1964

Tuesday, July 14

Luna Park destroyed by fire, 1909

Delavan & Jefferson

Village of Lancaster, NY incorporated, 1849

Lancaster

Construction begins on Lackawanna Steel Plant, 1900

Lackawanna, NY, USA

Merger of the Daily Courier and Morning Express newspapers, 1926

AAM Accredited Museum Badge