culture
Buffalo's Emerging Artists Shape the City's Next Historical Chapter
Ongoing programs and exhibits draw on established efforts to highlight community stories from the city's past.
How we reported this
Buffalo's local history efforts include the Spotlight broadcast series airing since November 2015 on WBFO and other regional stations, which reenacts episodes spanning Father Hennepin's 1678 sighting of Niagara Falls to the 2014 publication of Rick James's memoir.
Spotlight Broadcast Series
The series provides a platform for presenting historic episodes through radio, connecting listeners to events that shaped the region. This approach continues alongside newer city initiatives that emphasize people and places in community development.
History Buff Monthly Series
The City of Buffalo launched History Buff as a monthly history series highlighting people and places that shaped the community. It features fun facts and videos distributed on city communication platforms including social media and the Government Channel, extending access to these narratives.
African American Heritage Guide and Say Their Names Exhibit
A new edition of the African American Heritage Guide to Buffalo officially launched at Michigan Street Baptist Church, spotlighting Black history, culture, historic sites, and Black-owned businesses across the city in print and digital formats. Separately, the exhibit Say Their Names: Honor Their Legacies at The Buffalo History Museum features 12 pivotal African American community elders through portraits, biographies, and oral histories, curated by the Uncrowned Queens Institute.
Buffalo originated as a small trading community around 1789 inhabited by the Neutral Nation and Seneca people, later becoming the western terminus of the Erie Canal in 1825 and the Gateway to the West for immigrants and runaway slaves. These details form the foundation for programs that present such accounts to wider audiences.
The programs operate through established local outlets and institutions, allowing continued engagement with the documented record of events and figures. Residents can follow updates via the City of Buffalo communication platforms and visit The Buffalo History Museum for the exhibit details.