The Buffalo History Museum

We have a special artifact from our collection for today's game. This ticket is from the Buffalo Bills January 3, 1993 AFC Wildcard Game. Frank Reich, whose signature appears on the ticket, led the Buffalo Bills to victory over the Houston Oilers (now known as the Tennessee Titans). Overcoming an early 32 point deficit, the Bills defeated the Oilers 41-38 in what is considered one of the greatest comeback games in NFL history. #GoBills! We know we'll be cheering loud and Buffalo Proud during today's game!

We've got a game worn jersey to share from our collection today. This jersey, worn by none other than all-time scoring leader Steve Christie in 1994, has patches for the Bills 35th Anniversary season and the NFL 75th Anniversary season! Looking to celebrate and learn more about the Buffalo Bills during this historic season? Stay tuned to the Museum's page!

This toy from our collection is the Fisher-Price Gas Pump #984, from 1983. It is a white plastic toy gas pump that features a blue plastic base and an orange-red plastic pump handle and crank. When the rubber tube is ran over with a toy car, the bell on the front dings.

This month, we are honored to welcome Buffalo born author E. Dolores Johnson for a virtual book talk on her new memoir - Say I’m Dead, A Family Memoir of Race, Secrets and Love. Say I’m Dead is a multi-generational memoir that reveals America's changing attitudes toward race mixing, discovered through the courageous journeys of the women in Johnson's family. Free to attend; registration required in advance on Zoom: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_85-RCVKqRd-jE2y5Fq3xmQ

We love spending time looking through historic street photos in our collection. This snowy night shot was taken on Main Street in February of 1960. Explore more of our historic photo collection and purchase reproductions here: https://buffalohistory.smugmug.com/

Will you be joining us for this weekend's virtual tailgate? Learn more at the story from News 4 WIVB Buffalo and on our website here: https://zoom.us//regi/tJwqcO6uqDguHtzAq4-_gZUfaPT8Ty9-Ikj3

Experience our region's unique history with a trip to the Museum this month! Free admission has been extended through the end of January. Reserve your trip today on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/january-timed-admission-ticket

We are excited to share we're hosting a virtual Breakfast Tailgate with Steve Christie this Saturday! Moderated by Greg Tranter, join the greatest place kicker and all-time leading scorer in Buffalo Bills history for a special program. Featuring a conversation around Christie's career, as well as a chance for attendees to ask questions and show off their Bills gear! Register on Zoom here: https://zoom.us//regi/tJwqcO6uqDguHtzAq4-_gZUfaPT8Ty9-Ikj3... Space is limited.

Early voting is well underway and Election Day is a week from today! Pictured here is the November 8, 1916 issue from the New York Times depicting an election map from the year - currently featured in our exhibit White House WNY. Learn about early voting and voting on Election Day at voteearlyny.org.

From our collection, this baseball is signed by Kenneth Lowther Ash, a pitcher for the Buffalo Bisons from 1935-38. Ash pitched the year Buffalo won the International League title in 1936. And make sure to join us tomorrow for the upcoming The Seasons of Buffalo Baseball Book Talk. Register on Zoom: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0m4jvoIFSm606bEMrYGd2g

We are almost full for advance pre-registration today! Walk-ins are limited, so please call (716) 873-9644 to make sure space is still available. If you would like to visit us later this month, you can guarantee your spot by registering in advance on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/january-timed-admission-ticket

In this week's EOS video, join Patrick Ryan, the Museum's Education Coordinator, as he gives us a brief history of the Buffalo's grain elevators. Produced by digital content intern, Paul. EOS, an acronym of ‘Experiencing Our Story’ and inspired by the Greek Goddess of dawn, offers history-based programs through podcasts, videos, virtual events, virtual exhibits, and virtual tours. EOS is made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional support is provided by M&T Bank, the County of Erie, New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and from donors, members and friends.

Happy New Year from all of us at The Buffalo History Museum! Photo from our collection, ca 1967.

The large painting pictured is Joe Josephs' "Elephant Joe's Sign Shop". Josephs, a German immigrant who was a sign painter, political campaigner, and artist in Buffalo, created this painting to commemorate the 1869 opening of his shop. You can view this artifact and much more on display with a trip to the Museum! Register for our remaining October days: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/october-timed-museum-admission... Or reserve your spot for November: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/november-timed-museum-admissio

It's game day! These 1964 Buffalo Bills program covers feature reproductions of oil paintings by Buffalo artist Grace McKendry. The original oil paintings were raffled off with the numbers found inside of the programs. Grace McKendry (1918-2003) was born in South Buffalo. She earned a bachelor's degree from the Albright Art School before continuing her education at the University of Notre Dame and the University at Buffalo. Ms. McKendry also taught art at Nichols School for 30 years.

We are happy to share that we will be extending our free admission through January of 2021, starting this Saturday, January 2! Experience our region's history with us in a safe, socially distant environment in the New Year. Register in advance on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/january-timed-admission-ticket

We have another classic Buffalo shot from our collection with this aerial view of the outer harbor, ca. 1940.

Here's a look at a 1899 children’s picture and verse book from our collection, entitled Pictures to Amuse You: A Book of Changing Pictures. Printed by E.P. Dutton & Co, the cover of this children’s book features a boy and a girl having a snowball fight. Some of the pages are interactive and, by turning a paper wheel, the images can change.

Our New Year's Resolution is to continue to share Buffalo and Erie County's history in new, innovative, and accessible ways! Do you have a resolution for 2021?

While you're prepping to watch AFC East Champions Buffalo Bills, check out these artifacts from our collection! This is the 11th time in franchise history that the Bills have won the division title. The last time was in 1995. These pennants honor past AFC East Championships from 1995, 1993, 1991, 1990, 1989, and 1988!

In this week's Historic Happy Hour, we take a look at the Pine Grill, learn more about our brewery photograph collection, and take a look at glasses from the Lion Brewery! Do you think you have photos of breweries that can be added to our collection? Reach out to our Research Library at [email protected].

The Museum is saddened to hear of the passing of George Arthur. George was a former member of the Museum's board, a political leader, advocate for equality, a mentor, an educator of history, and leader in the African American community and beyond. The impact of his work has forever changed our city. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and loved ones.

If you haven't visited our exhibit Icons: The Makers and Moments of Buffalo Sports in a while, then you might want to check out our newest display! It showcases Buffalo's former basketball team, the Buffalo Braves.

We're closing an hour early due to inclement weather. Thank you for understanding, we are looking forward to welcoming you all back to the Museum in the new year!

Starting the weekend with a Fisher-Price toy from our collection! This is Rolling Bear #642 from 1978 and is a brown plastic bear attached to two half globes. It was made for rolling, with pieces that spin in the globes as the bear swivels to upright when rolled.

Merry Christmas! Postcard from the Museum's collection.

Do you ice skate? This Throwback Thursday is for you! This photo shows ice skating in Delaware Park with a very familiar building in the background. Photo from our Research Library collection, taken December 26, 1925.

There are so many wonderful ways to celebrate the holiday season. We're celebrating with a very special feature from our collection. In 1976, the staff of The Buffalo History Museum made bread dough ornaments. Mary Ann Sandoro, Curator of Exhibits at the time, organized the project and mixed the dough. The ornaments decorated a tree in the Museum. This one depicts a snowman with a top hat, carrot nose, and blue, yellow, and orange scarf.

Another congrats to the AFC Champs Buffalo Bills! Want to celebrate their victory in a safe, socially distant way? Come visit the Museum this Wednesday, December 23 or Saturday, December 26, and take a walk through our ICONS exhibit to relive those great Bills moments of the past along with more sports history. Advance registration is highly encouraged on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/december-timed-admission-ticke... Please remember to follow all COVID-19 safety procedures during your visit.

The Museum was honored to have local historian Howard Henry and Spectrum News Buffalo visit this past week to discuss an important part of baseball history! Learn more at the story link below.

Here's a particularly seasonal feature from our Larkin Soap Company collection. This image features a look into the Larkin Administration Building's Reception Hall during the holiday season. Christmas tree included!

Happy Holidays from all of us at The Buffalo History Museum! We will be closed for the holiday season on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, December 30, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. However, we will be open December 23 and 26. If you would like to visit before the new year, you can register in advance here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/december-timed-admission-ticke

Congratulations to the Buffalo Bills on their AFC East Championship! We have a special feature from our collection, a poster that commemorates the 1988 Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets game, another time in which the Bills won the AFC East Championship! Go Bills!

It's beginning to look a lot like winter! This ca. 2010 garden gnome from the Museum's collection is ready for cold weather and to watch the Buffalo Bills game! We love the details on the gnome like the snow dripping from his football and the Charging Buffalo logo on his hat!

Presented by M&T Third Fridays, join us for a special look at the Museum's former exhibit, Emblem of Equality: Woman Suffrage in Western New York. Tour commentary provided by Board Secretary and sponsor of the former Emblem of Equality exhibit, Anne Conable. https://youtu.be/Y8VnebYcUnE

Looking for last minute gifts this holiday season? Make sure to stop by our Museum Shop on your next trip to the Museum! You can also arrange a curbside pick-up from the comfort of your homes! To arrange curbside pick-up, send an email to Retail and Advancement Associate, Ben, at [email protected]! We can also take orders over the phone at (716) 873-9644 ext. 301.

With our glass entrance doors undergoing some maintenance, we have had the rare opportunity to show off our bronze doors! These doors were sculpted by R. Hinton Perry in 1900 and feature the muse of history on the left and ethnology on the right. They were a gift of Andrew Langdon. Fun fact - in total, they weight an estimated 3,900 lbs.!... Photo courtesy of our Guest Services Coordinator, Kelsey.

To accompany our perfume label yesterday, here's a particularly festive Larkin Company catalog, the fall & winter 1929-1930 issue! Within our Research Library, we have a number of Larkin Company archival materials in addition to the company's products in our collection.

The Larkin Soap Company was founded in Buffalo, NY in 1875 by John D. Larkin. They sold soap and toiletry objects and later expanded into household goods. The Museum has a large collection of artifacts from the Larkin Company such as this early 20th century paper label for Blue Snowflake Perfume. If you would like to see more of the Museum’s digitized Larkin artifacts, you can search our online database at https://buffalohistory.pastperfectonline.com/

Check out this Smith and Seely Baked Goods Wagon from our photo archive. What baked goods are you having this holiday season?

This week's Fisher-Price feature is the Easy-Set Bowling #2332! From 1990, it comes with a set of white pins attached to a red base with a cord and a black bowling ball.

From our photo archive for Throwback Tuesday - pedestrians in winter taken on January 18, 1982! Explore more of our historic photo collection and order reproductions by visiting our Picture Store here: https://buffalohistory.smugmug.com/

Want to celebrate the Buffalo Bills win? Take a trip through our ICONS exhibit on your next visit to the Museum. Remember to pre-register for our free admission and follow all COVID-19 safety protocols. Pre-register here today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/december-timed-admission-ticke

This championship ring honors the Buffalo Bills 1992 AFC Championship and Super Bowl XXVII appearance. The ring belonged to Linda Bogdan, the first full-time female scout in the NFL. Ms. Bogdan was Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.'s daughter and worked in the Buffalo Bills scouting department for 22 years.

Who is missing snow this December? This winter view of Court Street was taken on December 5, 1977. Explore more of our historic photo collection and order reproductions here: https://buffalohistory.smugmug.com/

Here is a look behind the scenes with the Museum's Registrar, Becky! These images provide a look into the deinstallation of our former exhibit, Street of Shops. It is another step in continuing our restoration under our portico space.

This week's Flashback Friday comes from our Larkin Company photograph collection. Shown here is a Larkin Company delivery truck for Chicago, Illinois, taken in 1911!

Check out some of these staff picks from The Buffalo History Museum - Museum Shop! From glasses to ornaments and more, there's something for everyone this holiday season. You can shop our online selection at buffalohistory.org/shop, visit us in person, or give us a call to arrange curbside pick up.

Happy Hanukkah! From our archive, this is a photo of Rabbi Noson Gurary looking on in Lafayette Square as Leonard Rochwarger lights the first Hanukkah candle on a 27-foot-high menorah.

Featured here is a perfect artifact for the winter season! This composite, jointed doll of Sonja Henie, a champion figure skater and film star, was manufactured by Madame Alexander. She is wearing a cream and red jacket over a red felt dress with white fur hem and a matching red felt cap. The doll originally belonged to Arlene Schulz Neely (1936) who in turn gave it to her daughter, Olivia Neely Emrich.

Looking for a bit more of the Bills this week after last night's victory? Join us and Western New York Heritage for this Friday's program! Registration available here: https://us02web.zoom.us//register/WN__2zxQpt1THGULQFdPzmp_Q

Did you know curbside pick-up is available from the Museum Shop? If you aren't finding what you're looking for on our online shop or would like to arrange a curbside pick-up from the comfort of your home, send an email to us at [email protected]! We can also take orders over the phone at (716) 873-9644 ext. 313.

We have another wintery photo from our collection! This one shows the Great Northern Elevator, taken January 18, 1957. Explore more of our photo collection and order reproductions here: https://buffalohistory.smugmug.com/

Are you ready for some Monday Night Football? This champagne bottle from the Museum's collection was bottled exclusively for the 1992 Monday night Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets game. The New York State Grand Chateau Champagne was made and bottled by Batavia Wine Cellar.

You have joined us on our journey of restoration under our portico space these past couple years, a part of the Museum formerly unseen for a generation. Stay tuned for more exciting restoration news to come in 2021!

In this video, Education Coordinator, Patrick, discusses the Memorial Auditorium in connection to Buffalo’s sports history. Video editing provided by digital content intern, Paul. EOS, an acronym of ‘Experiencing Our Story’ and inspired by the Greek Goddess of dawn, offers history-based programs through podcasts, videos, virtual events, virtual exhibits, and virtual tours. EOS is made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional support is provided by M&T Bank, the County of Erie, New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and from donors, members and friends.

This behind the scenes look features our Facilities Manager, Rob, and Education Coordinator, Patrick, practicing for our virtual field trips! Learn more about participating in the AT&T Virtual Field Trip program here: https://buffalohistory.org/att-virtual-field-trips/

Here's a look into operations at the Larkin Soap Company in April, 1922. Pictured here is a look into the process of filling toothpaste! Explore more of our historic photo collection and order reproductions here: https://buffalohistory.smugmug.com/

A thank you to all who joined us this year with our free admission! If you took a trip to the Museum since our reopening in August, what was your favorite part of your visit?

If you're looking to visit the Museum or reserve a future visit, please note that our phones are currently down. Find our December pre-registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/december-timed-admission-ticke You can also find email information for staff here: https://buffalohistory.org/contact/... We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

This upcoming Friday is The Bills Now. . . & Then: An Historic Season and a Storied Franchise with Western New York Heritage! Join Greg Tranter, author of Makers, Moments & Memorabilia: A Chronicle of Buffalo Professional Sports, for a look at what is shaping up to be an historic season for the Buffalo Bills before revisiting some of the pioneering moments of the franchise over the past six decades. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us//register/WN__2zxQpt1THGULQFdPzmp_Q

From sports history to women's history and even food history - thanks for joining us for virtual programs this year! We're looking forward to next week's The Bills Now. . . & Then: An Historic Season and a Storied Franchise with Western New York Heritage. What types of programs do you want to see in 2021? Let us know in the comments! Want to help support future virtual programs? Visit https://buffalohistory.org/support/ to learn more. Register for next week's program here: https://us02web.zoom.us//register/WN__2zxQpt1THGULQFdPzmp_Q

This week's Fisher-Price feature is the Fisher-Price Airplane #933. It is a white, blue, and yellow toy passenger plane with Fisher-Price decals. The door opens to a cabin with four spots for Little People figurines to sit!

Starting this week, appointments with our Research Library will be exclusively virtual. Those who have scheduled in-person appointments will receive an e-mail from our Research Library staff about alternative options or rescheduling. We appreciate the research community's understanding. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Research Library at [email protected].

Development Officer, Megan, takes a look through the Chronicling COVID-19 collection in this behind the scenes look! Thanks to the photos, experiences, and more donated to our collection, the stories of our community in this unprecedented year will be safekept for future generations to learn what living through a pandemic is like. If you're interested in submitting to the collection, visit here: https://buffalohistory.org/chronicling-covid-19/

This week's Throwback Thursday features a serene snowy evening in Buffalo. Image was taken on February 10, 1958 at West Ferry toward Delaware Avenue. Explore more of our historic photo collection and order reproductions by visiting our Picture Store here: https://buffalohistory.smugmug.com/

This year, you've joined us in learning Buffalo's stories through EOS, featuring podcasts and a video series. Here's a look behind the scenes at the podcast set up of our Director of Exhibits, Tony! What was your favorite podcast episode thus far? Support this initiative and more by visiting https://buffalohistory.org/support/ and by sharing your favorite podcasts and videos.

We can't thank our community enough for their incredible generosity. With your help we have funded another EOS video through our Facebook fundraiser! Stay tuned as we continue sharing our region's stories with you.