Archive - WNY Heritage

A never-before-published watercolor depicts the Brayley & Pitts Company, the Erie Canal and the New York Central Railroad, among other fascinating details.

Roll Out the Barrels

In a time when barrels were essential to shipping goods on the Erie Canal, the E. & B. Holmes Machinery Company transformed the manufacturing industry and helped Buffalo thrive as a port city.

Endnotes: "Sighting Freedom" Melds History and Art

An upcoming summer event at the Commercial Slip blends history and interpretive dance.

Lackawanna Steel and the Battleship Maine

Filled with rage, Americans vowed to never forget the USS Maine, which exploded near Cuba in 1898. Now we remember the key role a local steel company played in raising the wreckage and honoring her crewmembers.

It's a Trap! A Pair of Regional Milestones to Naval Aviation

Naval aviation was born 100 years ago this past January, and to mark the centennial of this important event, we highlight two of Western New York's many contributions.

A Visit to Niagara Falls

For centuries, people of all backgrounds and walks of life have recorded their impressions of Niagara Falls. Jack Wysocki provides a survey of these viewpoints, as well as the accompanying development — good and bad — of one of Western New York's most significant geographic features.

Another Look: "Building 88": The Barracks at Fort Niagara State Park

This 1939 Army barracks bore witness to much of Fort Niagara’s colorful 20th century history. Now proposed plans may once again breathe life into this local treasure of military architecture.

The Buffalo Yacht Club: 150 Years of Boating

Reputed to be the third oldest yacht club in the United States, the Buffalo Yacht Club has a storied history, including hosting the Brig Niagara in 1913. But the BYC’s clubhouses have had a stormy history.

Western New York Heritage

The Archive