Archive - WNY Heritage

Buffalo’s Early Brewing Heritage: A Survey

As the area sees a resurgence in local brewing, John P. Eiss surveys the roots of brewing in canal-era Buffalo, dating back to Black Rock in 1811.

Martha Kellogg Jackson: Legendary Art Dealer

With an eye for art, Martha Jackson bucked society’s expectations of women at the time and made a name for herself as an international art dealer in the 1950s and 60s.

Fighting the Demon Drink in Fredonia: The Women’s Temperance Crusade

Not everyone in Western New York in the late 1800s was a fan of the drink. Fredonia’s Women’s Temperance Union took a stand against alcohol in December 1873, successfully closing many drinking establishments and laying the roots for the national W.C.T.U..

Conflagration in the Cobblestone District: The Birge Factory Fire of 1880

When a fire erupted in the M.H. Birge & Sons Wallpaper Company factory in December 1880, the workers – many of whom were children – had little time to escape. John H. Grandits looks at the Birge fire as an example of the dangers of child labor.

An Oasis with a View – Linwood Gardens

Built as the summer home of businessman William H. Gratwick in 1903, Linwood Gardens has stood the test of time. Today, Western New Yorkers venture to the gardens in Pavilion for the annual Tree Peony Festival of Flowers each May.

Endnotes: Indian Falls’ Lost Amusement Park

Before Darien Lake’s roller coasters dominated the area’s amusement rides, Indian Falls’ Boulder Park was the place to spend summers in Genesee County.

Another Look: Timeless Teaching Tug

The 113-year-old vessel worked the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes for nearly a century. Today, it operates as a teaching tug, but the years of wear and tear require extensive repairs.

Old Photo Album: A Snapshot of East Pembroke History

It’s a classic case of discovering something while looking for other things: thanks to a conversation with Batavia’s town historian, we can share these early 20^th century photos of one of the region’s oldest hamlets.

Western New York Heritage

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