Historic and Cultural Sites and Museums

Visit one of the region's historic sites and museums to learn about the intimate connection between people, commerce, settlement and the canal.
 

Canalside in Buffalo

Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village 19th Century settlement with museum and 12 restored and authentically furnished buildings. Guided tours, exhibits, special events, and school programs. 

 visit site >>

Morgan-Manning House Preserved and restored Italianate house and grounds in the Village of Brockport; a short walk from the Erie Canal. The house reflects the lifesyle of a wealthy canal town resident during the late 1800s - early 1920s. Extensive local history archives. Tours by appointment. Visit Site »

Buffalo History Museum Exhibits, research library, and educational programs on the history of Western New York and the Great Lakes in general, and of Buffalo and Erie County in particular, from prehistoric times to the present. Located in the Pan-American building. Visit Site »

Canalside The historic canal terminus is the centerpiece of waterfront revitalization in Buffalo. Canalside features several fully restored facets of the original Erie Canal Harbor, including the "Commercial Slip," which served as the historic juncture between the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes, and the wooden plank "Central Wharf." Events, festivals, and boat tours are on tap throughout the summer season. Visit Site »

Buffalo Heritage Area Visitor center and programs focusing on revitalizing the arts district and its architectural landmarks and celebrating the remarkable flowering of culture that occurred when Buffalo flourished as the western terminus of the Erie Canal. Visit Site »

Buffalo River Grain Elevators Invented here to maximize loading dock space, the remaining grain elevators that dot Buffalo’s waterfront are a testament to those days when the city was the busiest grain-transfer port in the world. Visit Site »

Chinaman's Light at Erie Basin Take time to walk or cycle to the end of the pier at Buffalo’s waterfront park to take in the view and to see the Buffalo Lighthouse.

Darwin D. Martin House State Historic Site A residential estate completed in 1905 that became one of the most important works of Frank Lloyd Wright's career. Buffalo's Darwin D. Martin House Complex is a seminal Prairie House and a rare Wright design that incorporates multiple structures for an extended family. Visit Site »

Theodore Roosevelt Inagural National Historic Site Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated at this site as the 26th President of the United States as a consequence of unforeseen death of President William McKinley.

  Visit Site »

Erie Canal Discovery Center Interactive interpretive and education center that showcases the history of the Erie Canal and the Lockport Locks.
  Visit Site »

Erie Canal Heritage Museum Part of Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruises-- located in a four-story 1840s stone flourmill on the canal, with exhibits on Lockport's development, canal history, and local folklore. A site on the Underground Railroad. Visit Site »

lyons

Mural Mania and Historical Site, Lyons
The Village of Lyons is home to a number of murals depicting historical scenes, as well as the Wayne County Historical Society Museum and Hotchkiss Essential Oil Building.
visit site >>

medina

Medina Railroad Museum Located in the old New York Central Freight Depot; exhibits include 200-foot long HO scale model layout. The museum offers two hour train ride along the Erie Canal. visit site >>

Historic Palmyra Five museum sites preserve and showcase the history of Palmrya, including William Phelps General Store, Historic Museum, Palmrya Print Shop, Erie Canal Depot, and Alling Coverlet Museum.

  Visit Site »

Mount Hope Cemetery is America's oldest municipally-owned Victorian cemetery and the final resting place of many people associated with the Erie Canal, Underground Railroad, and Women's Rights. Themed tours offered May-Oct.  Visit Site »

Rochester High Falls Heritage Area Visitor center and canal-related programs highlighting the canal-dependent power generation and mills that made Rochester the "Flour City." Visit Site »

Rochester Museum and Science Center Visitor programs and exhibits explore science and technology and their impacts—past, present, and future—on our lives. Exhibits include: hands on Erie Canal model; impacts of the canal on Native Americans; and Flight to Freedom- Rochester's Underground Railroad.

  Visit Site »

Rochester Public Library The library's collection includes many original documents about the Erie Canal. An extensive online collection shares images and maps about the impact of the Erie Canal in Rochester and surrounding areas.  Visit Site »

Western Erie Canal Heritage Corridor Features the longest section of the canal that still follows its original path and retains its historic relationship to the communities and landscapes along its banks.It includes the Erie Canal counties of Wayne, Monroe, Orleans, Niagara and Erie. Visit Site »

Spencerport Depot & Canal Museum Restored trolley depot on the south bank of the canal serves as a welcome center, museum, and lending library. Swap stories while resting in the Depot's rocking chairs, browse local history exhibits, and find information on attractions. WIFI and restrooms with showers available.

  Visit Site »

Benjamin Long Homestead Fully restored log home from the early 19th century on the banks of the Erie Canal. Visit Site »

Cultural Alliance of the Tonawandas Art, history, music, theater, and more. Visit Site »

Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum The Herschell Carrousel Factory produced wooden carousels from the late 1800s through the 1950s and had a major impact on the entertainment ride industry in the US and abroad. Includes the original woodworking shop, roundhouse where products were tested, and Lockman Collection of hand-carved carousel animals. Visit Site »

Historical Society of the Tonawandas built in 1886 as a station for the NY Central & Hudson River Railroad, the museum's displays reflect the days of the lumber era and the Erie Canal. Research center contains more than 6,000 indexed photos and indexed obituaries from 1877 on. Visit Site »

North Tonawanda History Museum showcases the heritage of North Tonawanda and its role as a shipping and manufacturing center on the historic Erie Canal and Niagara River in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Museum hosts guided and self-guided history walks and tours, publications, and events throughout the year. Visit Site »

Tonawanda Chamber of Commerce lists local attractions and events. Visit Site »