The Buffalo History Museum Podcast

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The Buffalo History Museum Podcast is the premier source for Western New York history. Each episode, we tell a story of the people and events that have shaped our region. New episodes are released every other Tuesday. Help us grow by subscribing, rating,

The Buffalo History Museum


    • Feb 22, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 23m AVG DURATION
    • 38 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Buffalo History Museum Podcast is an absolute gem for anyone interested in the history of Buffalo, New York. As a native Buffalonian myself, I found this show to be incredibly informative and engaging. The host has a great voice that is easy to listen to, making it perfect for winding down at night. My only complaint is that there aren't more episodes available!

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the wide range of historical topics covered. From car races to assassinations, each episode delves into a different aspect of Buffalo's rich history. The stories are well-written and expertly produced, keeping the listener hooked from start to finish. The two-part episode on the 1908 Great Race had me laughing out loud with its humor and wit. It's not often that history podcasts can be funny while also educational.

    Another standout aspect of this podcast is how well-researched and detailed each story is. The host clearly has a deep knowledge and understanding of the historical context surrounding these events, which adds depth and richness to each episode. It's evident that a lot of time and effort goes into crafting these stories, making them truly compelling.

    If I had any criticism, it would be that I wish the episodes were longer. Each story leaves me wanting more, as there are always so many fascinating details to explore. However, this is a testament to how enjoyable and engaging the podcast is.

    In conclusion, The Buffalo History Museum Podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in Buffalo's history or just looking for an entertaining and informative podcast. The stories are captivating, the production quality is top-notch, and the host's passion for his subject matter shines through in every episode. I highly recommend giving it a shot!



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    Latest episodes from The Buffalo History Museum Podcast

    Rise and Fall of the Canadiana

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2024 22:46


    Between 1910 and 1956, the Canadiana ferried passengers between Buffalo and Canada's Crystal Beach Amusement Park. This is the story of the ship, her demise, and her near resurrection. 

    Love Canal, Part III: Escape

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2023 36:23


    Twenty years after Hooker Chemical buried its last metal drum in the depths of William Love's abandoned canal, local residents begin experiencing health problems. The ensuing years become a fight for their lives. 

    Love Canal, Part II: Hooker Chemical

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2023 20:34


    Fifty years after William Love abandoned his Model City settlement in Niagara Falls, a local chemical manufacturer made use of his half-excavated canal. Part III coming next week. 

    Love Canal, Part I: Model City

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 16:56


    In 1894, William T. Love broke ground on his grand vision—a utopian community which he called "Model City." His dream however, would never come to pass. In time, what remained of his project would become the epicenter of one our nation's worst environmental disasters. Stay tuned for part two.

    30-Second Nightmare: The Cleve Hill School Fire

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2023 20:22


    On March 31, 1954, a wooden annex of Cheektowaga's Cleve Hill School caught fire in seconds, taking the lives of fifteen children.  Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review us! 

    Ida Dora Fairbush: Buffalo's First African American Teacher

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2023 32:14


    We're joined today by Barbara Seals Nevergold, PhD to discuss the life of Ida Dora Fairbush, the first African American teacher in the Buffalo Public School District.    To learn more about Ida, clink below: https://www.buffaloschools.org/cms/lib/NY01913551/Centricity/Domain/9000/Ida-Fairbush-Biography.pdf  

    Chiquita: The Doll Lady's Forbidden Marriage

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2023 34:19


    At just 26" tall, Chiquita was one of the Pan-American Exposition's tiniest attractions. In November of 1901, she and a worker at the fair married in secret, much to the dismay of her manager, Frank Bostock, aka The Animal King. 

    marriage forbidden pan american exposition
    Harry Houdini: Buffalo Bound

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 36:35


    For over three decades, legendary escape artist and magician Harry Houdini made Buffalo's theaters a regular destination. Today, we recap the King of Handcuff's many visits to Western New York. 

    The Trial of Nancy Bowen featuring Dr. Joe Stahlman

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2022 40:28


    In March 1930, police arrested two Indigenous women, Nancy Bowen and Lila Jimerson, for the murder of a white woman in Buffalo, New York. Their arrests, trials, and coverage in the media would highlight issues of Indigenous sovereignty and clashing belief systems. Dr. Joe Stahlman, Director of the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum joins us to discuss the case. 

    The Amazing Story of William Wells Brown

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2022 33:09


    William Wells Brown escaped slavery and risked his life to help others find freedom. In his spare time, he taught himself to read and write, lectured on the evils of slavery, and was the first African American to publish a novel and, later, a play.

    Father Baker: Life and Legacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2022 23:22


    Msgr. David LiPuma of Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica joins us to discuss Father Nelson Baker, his many achievements, and his enduring legacy. 

    Abraham Lincoln & Westfield's Grace Bedell

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2022 18:21


    We're back after a long break and sharing a beloved local story. In late 1860, an eleven-year-old girl from the Western New York wrote Abraham Lincoln advising him to improve his appearance by growing a beard. That beard would become one of the future president's most recognizable features, all thanks to a letter from Westfield's Grace Bedell. Thank you for listening and stay strong, Buffalo!

    Buffalo v. ”The Candy Kid”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2022 34:16


    In 1925, one of the nation's most wanted criminals pulled a deadly bank robbery in Buffalo, NY. The following year, he was caught and put on trial, but would Richard Reese Whittemore aka "The Candy Kid" ever pay for his crimes?   Vote for us as "Buffalo's Best Podcast" in the link below: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SP7NHQW    

    For the Greater Good: Buffalo's Wilkeson Family

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2022 16:58


    How three generations of one local family each found a way to shape the nation.

    Tesla Illuminates the Queen City

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2022 26:21


    On November 16, 1896, at 12:01am, Buffalo received its first transmission of electricity from Niagara Falls via alternating current. This technology, developed by Serbian-American electrical engineer Nikola Tesla, would forever change society—and it all started right here.

    The Unsolved Murder of Ed Burdick

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2022 45:34


    Ed Burdick was a young and successful businessman. His marriage, however, was far from perfect. On a cold February morning in 1903, Ed was found murdered in his home, his skull fractured. The investigation that followed would reveal a steamy affair, an impending divorce, and plenty of motives. But, in the end, would anyone be brought to justice?

    Buffalo Gals: Origins

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2021 11:20


    "Buffalo Gals" is a traditional folk song performed by such artists as Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen. The song, however, is more than an upbeat tune. Behind its bars is a story of racism and ignorance perhaps born right here in Western New York. 

    Annie Edson Taylor's Barrel v. Niagara Falls

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 28:28


    On October 24, 1901, sixty-three year old Annie Edson Taylor went over Niagara Falls in a barrel of her own design. Would things go swimmingly?   Be sure to visit the Buffalo History Museum's brand new exhibit, Continuum: A History of Erie County, open now!    

    The NFL‘s Tonawanda Kardex

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2021 12:39


    For a brief time, one game actually, Buffalo's suburb of Tonawanda was home to an NFL franchise--the league's shortest lived team. 

    The 1866 Fenian Invasion of Canada

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2021 17:50


    In an attempt to rid their homeland of British control, an army of Irish-Americans launch an attack from Buffalo into Canada during the spring of 1866.    Please rate, review, and subscribe anywhere you listen.   For more information about the Buffalo History Museum, visit www.buffalohistory.org. Also, be sure to check out our upcoming feature exhibit, "Continuum: A History of Erie County" opening October 22.   

    The Rise & Fall of the Buffalo Braves

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2021 27:29


    Between 1970 and 1978, the Buffalo Braves brought NBA excitement to Western New York. Led by former league MVP Bob McAdoo, the team earned three playoff appearances in eight years, but ownership issues plagued the franchise. The team left Buffalo following the 1977-78 season, moving west and becoming the San Diego Clippers.    Please rate and review our podcast and subscribe for new episodes every two weeks!

    nba buffalo led western new york buffalo braves san diego clippers
    The 1908 New York to Paris Race, Part II

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2021 27:05


    In 1908, teams from four countries competed in the most trying automobile endurance race to date. In the end, it was Western New York's own George Schuster crossing the finish line first in a Buffalo-made E.R. Thomas car.

    The 1908 New York to Paris Race, Part I

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2021 25:25


    In 1908, teams from four countries competed in the most trying automobile endurance race to date. In the end, it was Western New York's own George Schuster crossing the finish line first in a Buffalo-made E.R. Thomas.     

    Buffalo's White House Wedding

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2021 21:58


    On June 2, 1886, Buffalo's Frances Folsom married President Grover Cleveland (also of Buffalo) in the Blue Room of the White House, making her the youngest First Lady in U.S. history.    

    The 'Almost' American League Buffalo Bisons

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021 16:26


    In 1901, Buffalo nearly landed a Major League Baseball time with Ban Johnson's upstart American League. A double-cross by Johnson, however, gave the franchise to Boston instead.    To purchase the Greg Tranter's book mentioned in this episode, click https://buffalohistory.org/?s=moments&post_type=product   Help us grow by rating and reviewing our podcast!  

    Tragic September, Part III: Anarchist

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2021 23:16


    In the final episode of our three part series on the assassination of McKinley, we take a look at the gunman himself, Leon Czolgosz.   For more information about the Buffalo History Museum, visit our website at www.buffalohistory.org   For iconic pictures of Western New York History, visit our picture store at https://buffalohistory.smugmug.com

    tragic anarchists leon czolgosz
    Tragic September, Part II: Inauguration

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 24:56


    Following the death of President William McKinley on September 14, 1901, Buffalo plays host to the solemn and unexpected inauguration of Vice President Theodore Roosevelt.  Vote for our podcast in Buffalo Spree's Best of Buffalo 2021 Poll here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TYR7G36   To find out more about the Buffalo History Museum, visit: www.buffalohistory.org   To purchase historic images from of Western New York, visit our picture store at: https://buffalohistory.smugmug.com  

    Tragic September, Part I: Assassination

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2021 19:53


    Thousands visited Buffalo's Pan-American Exposition in September of 1901, and a killer was among them. The assassination of President William McKinley is, perhaps, Buffalo's darkest hour. This is the story of his visit to the exposition, the tragedy of September 6th, and its aftermath. 

    Job Hoisington and the Burning of Buffalo

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2021 9:57


    In the final days of 1813, British forces set fire to the village of Buffalo. A number of residents attempted heroically to defend the attack, but in the end, the battle was lost. Join the Buffalo History Museum's Program Coordinator Matt Holland as he tells the story of Job's last stand.    

    Homan Walsh and the Niagara Suspension Bridge

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 17:44


    How do you build a bridge across a massive gorge? Start with a kite, obvs. This is the story of the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge and its unusual beginnings.  To find out more about Western New York history, visit our website at www.buffalohistory.org        

    The Electrocution of Jumbo II

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2020 27:43


    Jumbo II was a twelve-foot-tall Asian elephant that entertained millions at Buffalo's 1901 Pan-American Exposition. After allegedly attacking two people, Jumbo's owner decided to execute the animal by electrocution. The elephant had other plans.  The Buffalo History Museum Podcast is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. www.neh.gov To learn more about the Buffalo History Museum, visit www.buffalohistory.org    

    F. Scott Fitzgerald's Buffalo

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 14:23


    Writer F. Scott Fitzgerald spent much of his youth in Buffalo, New York. The city proved to be his first introduction to high society. Though not wealthy himself, his charm and charisma earned him entry into prominent social circles, influencing the course of his later literary work.

    Glenn Curtiss: Aviation Pioneer

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2020 48:26


    Glenn Curtiss was a motorcycle racer, engine designer, and aviation pioneer...and he did it all right in our own backyard. The Buffalo History Museum Podcast is made possible with support by the National Endowment for the Humanities. www.neh.gov.  Visit the Museum's Website at www.Buffalohistory.org.  

    History Short: Ely S. Parker

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 6:13


    Ely Parker was a Seneca leader, brigadier general, attorney, engineer, and friend of General Ulysses S. Grant. Oh, he also penned the document that effectively ended the Civil War.  The Buffalo History Museum Podcast is made possible by support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. www.neh.gov. Visit our website at www.buffalohistory.org  

    Buffalo and the 1918 Influenza Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2020 26:18


    In the fall of 1918, Erie County, like much of the world, was overcome by an H1N1 virus, commonly known as the Spanish Flu. Over 18 months between 1918 and 1919, the virus infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide, killing up to 50 million on its way to becoming one of the deadliest pandemics the world has ever known. The Buffalo History Museum Podcast is made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities. www.neh.gov.  

    History Short: Belva Lockwood for President!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2020 8:23


    In 1884, Belva Lockwood became the first woman to run for president, 36 years before women were granted the right to vote.  The Buffalo History Museum Podcast is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities. http://www.neh.gov Visit The Buffalo History Museum's website at http://www.buffalohistory.org  

    The Execution of The Three Thayers

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2020 15:26


    In 1825, Erie County held its first and only public execution when Israel, Isaac, and Nelson Thayer were hanged for the murder of John Love.  The Buffalo History Museum Podcast is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities. http://www.neh.gov Visit our website at http://www.buffalohistory.org  

    Introducing the Buffalo History Museum Podcast!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2020 1:06


    The Buffalo History Museum Podcast debuts September 21! Each episode, we'll share a story from our amazing Western New York history. The podcast is made possible by support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Be sure to subscribe and review us.

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