The Buffalo History Museum

About The Buffalo History Museum

The Buffalo History Museum in Buffalo, New York explores the region's past through exhibits and public programs. At the main museum, visitors encounter historical artifacts and displays tracing local development. The Waterway of Change exhibit at Canalside presents two centuries of Erie Canal history through interactive multimedia experiences, including short films, touchscreens, audio, and historical artifacts. The exhibit traces the canal's opening in 1825 and its transformation of Buffalo into a bustling port and shipping hub, while highlighting perspectives of Indigenous Peoples, Black individuals, women, and immigrant communities affected by the canal's development. The museum also houses the world's largest Buffalo Bills collection, featuring iconic jerseys, helmets, championship memorabilia, and game-used equipment accessible through behind-the-scenes tours. The Resource Center hosts guided programs including the Builders of the Canal and Women on the Canal tours, which explore specific themes in greater depth. The museum shop sells gifts and classic Buffalo photographs. Complimentary parking is available on-site, and public transit access is served by the Elmwood Bus #20.