The Buffalo History Museum Podcast

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.

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. 

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!

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    

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

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.

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" 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. 

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!    

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

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" openin...

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...

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.

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.     

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.    

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!  

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

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 fro...

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. 

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.    

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        

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 Buff...

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 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 .  

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