Archive - WNY Heritage

Becoming American: The Journey of Italians in Genesee County

Like elsewhere in America, throngs of Italian immigrants migrated to Western New York in the late 19^th century. We examine their journey from outcasts to acceptance in Genesee County.

The Foreign Traveler from the Other Side of the Great Ocean: George Kennan

George Kennan's captivation with travel and Russia led him to expose the horrors of the exile system.

The Canisius College Passion Play: Epic Revival of a Theatrical Epic

The Passion Play staged by Canisius College in the early 20th century were on a scale the likes of which the city of Buffalo had never seen. Here we revisit these epic theatrical productions.

What Does a Bass Drum Mean? The Buffalo Silver Band

What began as a small church band has evolved to become one of Western New York's most unique musical ensembles.

John E. Brent: Buffalo’s First African American Architect

John E. Brent’s architectural contributions to Buffalo and the surrounding areas often went uncredited because of his race. Today historians are working on tracking down Brent’s projects and giving him the recognition he deserves.

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.

Another Look: Preserving Hispanic Heritage in Buffalo and Western New York

A local organization is making positive strides to document and preserve our region’s Hispanic heritage.

The Architect of Polonia: Wladyslaw H. Zawadzki

In every community he worked, especially Buffalo’s Polonia, architect Wladyslaw H. Zawadzki designed quality buildings that held important events and shaped the neighborhoods in which they stood.

Western New York Heritage

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