Museum Collections - The Buffalo History Museum
Source: https://buffalohistory.org/museum-collections
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:15
Museum Collections - The Buffalo History Museum
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Museum Collections
Research Library
The Research Library is responsible for all two-dimensional items in the Museum’s collection: books, pamphlets, letters, diaries, personal papers, organizational and business records, periodicals, newspapers, scrapbooks, photographs, postcards, prints, drawings, posters, maps, atlases, microfilms, and even some DVDs.
As part of The Buffalo History Museum’s multi-year Master Plan, the Research Library has been operating at a limited capacity as we carefully implement a staffing transition to strengthen collections care and future access.
However, limited in-person library hours will be available throughout the months of April and May. These appointments will be available on Fridays at 10:00am and 1:00pm.
To book your appointment,
please use this link
. Please take a moment to review the policies for library research visits on the booking page.
These temporary changes to our Research Library reflect the next steps in expanding access and strengthening collections care. Our team remains available to assist you during this period, at a limited capacity, and we appreciate your patience as we continue this process to enhance the collections for future generations.
All library appointments cost $15 per visit and remain free for members.
We invite you to explore our online databases and digital collections—one of the resources below may provide the information you are looking for.
I want to see what is online
I want to find pictures
I want to search the library collection
I want to search newspapers
I want to donate an object
Unable to find what you needed? Questions can be directed to
library@buffalohistory.org
Your support means a great deal to us, and we will respond to inquiries as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued interest in The Buffalo History Museum!
Library digitization supported by:
Research Library FAQs
When is the Research Library open? Do I need an appointment? How much does it cost?
As part of The Buffalo History Museum’s multi-year Master Plan, the Research Library has been operating at a limited capacity as we carefully implement a staffing transition to strengthen collections care and future access.
However, limited in-person library hours will be available throughout the months of April and May. These appointments will be available on Fridays at 10:00am and 1:00pm.
To book your appointment,
please use this link.
Please take a moment to review the policies for library research visits on the booking page.
All library appointments cost $15 per visit and remain free for members.
Can you find my ancestors?
The Research Library’s staff can help point individuals in the direction of resources available to conduct research or a helpful list of Researchers for Hire, but they cannot undertake individual research assignments.
Do you have blueprints or plans of my house?
Nearly all architectural records, plans, and drawings within the Research Library are for public buildings such as offices, schools, churches, and hospitals. Only a few large mansions are included.
Are there special handling requirements in the Research Library?
Yes! Cotton gloves are required whenever handling photographs, plenty of which are available on site. Everything else, with a few exceptions, may be handled normally as long as hands are clean and items are handled gently.
FRANK Library Catalog
Search Our Catalog
Explore Digital Collections
View Digital Resources
Resource Center
The Resource Center serves as the collections storage facility for the Museum’s three-dimensional artifacts. Collecting since 1862, the Museum cares for a vast collection—only about 10% of which is on exhibit at one time. We continue to collect artifacts that document the social, economic, and political growth and development of Buffalo and Erie County.
To make an appointment please call 716.873.9644, ext. 403.
Click here to view our collection policy.
Online Artifact Database
View Select Artifacts
Artifact Collections
View Collection Highlights
Resource Center FAQs
When is the Resource Center Open?
By appointment:
Call 716.873.9644, ext. 403 for more details.
Can I see artifacts not on exhibit?
Guests can view artifacts not on exhibit that are in storage during our Behind the Scenes Tours, offered periodically throughout the year. Visit our events section for information on our next tour.
To request a special viewing of any artifacts not on exhibit, please contact Rebecca Justinger, Registrar and Grant Coordinator, at 716.873.9644, ext. 403.
When was the Resource Center’s building built?
1892.
What was the Resource Center’s building used for?
The Resource Center was originally used as a trolley barn. The streetcars were stored in the building and you can observe the original tracks that are still visible in the floor.
What happened to the woman’s head on the front of the Resource Center’s building?
The woman’s head was a replica of the entrance into Dreamland from the Pan-American Exposition, but was meant as a temporary fixture and is now removed.
View all events
Upcoming Events
04/23/2026
Trivia Night
Event Details
04/25/2026
13th Annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival
Event Details
04/26/2026
13th Annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival
Event Details
04/26/2026
13th Annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival
Event Details
04/28/2026
Tea Tasting with Tea Ceremony 2026
Event Details
For preservation of our collection, contact us for inquiries relating to image reproduction and artifacts.
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SKIP TO MAIN MENU
SKIP TO FOOTER
Search
Museum Collections
Research Library
The Research Library is responsible for all two-dimensional items in the Museum’s collection: books, pamphlets, letters, diaries, personal papers, organizational and business records, periodicals, newspapers, scrapbooks, photographs, postcards, prints, drawings, posters, maps, atlases, microfilms, and even some DVDs.
As part of The Buffalo History Museum’s multi-year Master Plan, the Research Library has been operating at a limited capacity as we carefully implement a staffing transition to strengthen collections care and future access.
However, limited in-person library hours will be available throughout the months of April and May. These appointments will be available on Fridays at 10:00am and 1:00pm.
To book your appointment,
please use this link
. Please take a moment to review the policies for library research visits on the booking page.
These temporary changes to our Research Library reflect the next steps in expanding access and strengthening collections care. Our team remains available to assist you during this period, at a limited capacity, and we appreciate your patience as we continue this process to enhance the collections for future generations.
All library appointments cost $15 per visit and remain free for members.
We invite you to explore our online databases and digital collections—one of the resources below may provide the information you are looking for.
I want to see what is online
I want to find pictures
I want to search the library collection
I want to search newspapers
I want to donate an object
Unable to find what you needed? Questions can be directed to
library@buffalohistory.org
Your support means a great deal to us, and we will respond to inquiries as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued interest in The Buffalo History Museum!
Library digitization supported by:
Research Library FAQs
When is the Research Library open? Do I need an appointment? How much does it cost?
As part of The Buffalo History Museum’s multi-year Master Plan, the Research Library has been operating at a limited capacity as we carefully implement a staffing transition to strengthen collections care and future access.
However, limited in-person library hours will be available throughout the months of April and May. These appointments will be available on Fridays at 10:00am and 1:00pm.
To book your appointment,
please use this link.
Please take a moment to review the policies for library research visits on the booking page.
All library appointments cost $15 per visit and remain free for members.
Can you find my ancestors?
The Research Library’s staff can help point individuals in the direction of resources available to conduct research or a helpful list of Researchers for Hire, but they cannot undertake individual research assignments.
Do you have blueprints or plans of my house?
Nearly all architectural records, plans, and drawings within the Research Library are for public buildings such as offices, schools, churches, and hospitals. Only a few large mansions are included.
Are there special handling requirements in the Research Library?
Yes! Cotton gloves are required whenever handling photographs, plenty of which are available on site. Everything else, with a few exceptions, may be handled normally as long as hands are clean and items are handled gently.
FRANK Library Catalog
Search Our Catalog
Explore Digital Collections
View Digital Resources
Resource Center
The Resource Center serves as the collections storage facility for the Museum’s three-dimensional artifacts. Collecting since 1862, the Museum cares for a vast collection—only about 10% of which is on exhibit at one time. We continue to collect artifacts that document the social, economic, and political growth and development of Buffalo and Erie County.
To make an appointment please call 716.873.9644, ext. 403.
Click here to view our collection policy.
Online Artifact Database
View Select Artifacts
Artifact Collections
View Collection Highlights
Resource Center FAQs
When is the Resource Center Open?
By appointment:
Call 716.873.9644, ext. 403 for more details.
Can I see artifacts not on exhibit?
Guests can view artifacts not on exhibit that are in storage during our Behind the Scenes Tours, offered periodically throughout the year. Visit our events section for information on our next tour.
To request a special viewing of any artifacts not on exhibit, please contact Rebecca Justinger, Registrar and Grant Coordinator, at 716.873.9644, ext. 403.
When was the Resource Center’s building built?
1892.
What was the Resource Center’s building used for?
The Resource Center was originally used as a trolley barn. The streetcars were stored in the building and you can observe the original tracks that are still visible in the floor.
What happened to the woman’s head on the front of the Resource Center’s building?
The woman’s head was a replica of the entrance into Dreamland from the Pan-American Exposition, but was meant as a temporary fixture and is now removed.
View all events
Upcoming Events
04/23/2026
Trivia Night
Event Details
04/25/2026
13th Annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival
Event Details
04/26/2026
13th Annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival
Event Details
04/26/2026
13th Annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival
Event Details
04/28/2026
Tea Tasting with Tea Ceremony 2026
Event Details
For preservation of our collection, contact us for inquiries relating to image reproduction and artifacts.
SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT
SKIP TO MAIN MENU
SKIP TO FOOTER