Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society

The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, founded in 1862, is located in the northwest corner of Delaware Park. Major collections among the 80,000-plus items in our care include Pan-American Exposition artifacts and records, the Red Jacket Peace Medal, the Pierce Motorette (a pioneering motor vehicle), and prototype pacemakers. Sketches and paintings chronicle two centuries of growth of the city of Buffalo and surrounding land, and portraiture ranges from Peter Porter, one time Secretary of War, to Presidents Grover Cleveland and Millard Fillmore.

The Research Library and Archives collections document the history of the City of Buffalo and the surrounding region. Collection strengths include Native Americans in Western New York, settlement of Western New York, the War of 1812, the Pan-American Exposition, local regiments in the Civil War, the Erie Canal, pictures of Niagara Falls, and local newspapers. Researchers will find 20,000 books; 200,000 images, over 6500 microfilms, and many more resources.

Images and documents from Historical Society collections hosted by WNY Legacy may be used without charge only for noncommercial, educational purposes. All commercial use or use in any product, service, or event for which fees will be charged requires written permission and payment of licensing fees.

Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society Information

Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society Collections: