The Karpeles Library is the world’s largest private holding of original manuscripts and documents. These documents are displayed around the country in the Karpeles Museums. Buffalo is home to two Karpeles Museums where people can see displays on topics ranging from the original manuscript of “The Wedding March” to Einstein’s “Theory of Relativity.”
The Erie Canal Discovery Center is an interpretative center that tells the story of the Erie Canal and Lockport’s pivotal role in the canal. The story is told through audiovisual stations, original artifacts, and a multidimensional orientation film.
The Mark Twain Room in the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library was opened as a tribute to Mark Twain and his literary masterpiece Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. On display in the room are artifacts from Twain’s time in Buffalo and pages from the original manuscript of Adventure of Huckleberry Finn.
The Nash House was the home of Rev. J. Edward Nash Sr. and his family. Reverend Nash was the pastor of the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church and a leader of the African American community. The Nash House Museum is a time capsule that allows visitors to see how the Nash family lived and gives a glimpse into the lives of people from a different era.
The Original American Kazoo Company is the only metal kazoo factory operating in North America. Visitors can take a tour of the factory, watch the kazoos being made on the original equipment, and even make their own kazoo.
The Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum celebrates Buffalo’s rich automotive history. Visitors will see a collection of wonderfully preserved and restored Pierce-Arrow and Thomas Flyer cars, as well as all types of historic artifacts from Buffalo’s past.
Buffalo has had many nicknames over the years and one of the best known is Queen City. There are numerous theories of the name’s origin but one of the commonly accepted connects the nickname to Buffalo’s status as a hub of shipping due to the Erie Canal. Today, that history is preserved on Buffalo’s waterfront at the new Commercial Slip.
The Arcade & Attica Railroad is a trip back to a time when rail ruled America. The excursions begin in a historic station full of railroad artifacts and historic exhibits to set the mood. The two-hour trip takes passengers through peaceful countryside and farmlands and offers a taste of life from a different era of America.
The Steel Plant Museum was created to preserve and display the rich history of the steel industry in Western New York. The museum showcases that history through artifacts, photographs, and documents from Bethlehem Steel’s Lackawanna plant, as well as other steel plants from the area.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site: www.TRsite.org
The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site is one of only five places that a president has taken the oath of office other than the capitol. Through immersive and interactive exhibits, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site transports visitors back to turn of the century Buffalo and gives a glimpse into how Teddy Roosevelt may have felt during that time.
Freedom Crossing: The Underground Railroad in Greater Niagara is an interpretive center at the Castellani Art Museum on the campus of Niagara University. The center brings together historical artifacts and modern interpretations to tell the story of the Underground Railroad Movement in Buffalo and Niagara, and the people involved.
Designed to be an emotional and educational experience, Motherland Connextions takes guests on tours of important Underground Railroad sites all around Western New York. Costumed “conductors” bring each location alive through stories and historical information.
In its almost 80 year history, Vidler’s 5&10 has become a Western New York icon. Now run by the third generation of the family, Vidler’s two levels and 15,000 square feet are full of hard-to-find old time items to the newest merchandise of today.
Old Fort Niagara is known as Western New York’s most popular State Historic Site. The site takes visitors back to a time when France, Great Britain, and the United States struggled for control of North America. Costumed interpreters, wonderfully preserved buildings, and a new state of the art visitor’s center make the fort come alive for guests.
Theatre of Youth is dedicated to introducing young people to theatre. The plays are performed by professional adult actors in full stage productions. The theatre focuses on plays for children of all ages that speak to young people about the issues in their lives.
The Buffalo Zoo is the third oldest zoo in the United States. The zoo’s mission is to provide an educational, cultural, and recreational facility to the community. The zoo continues to grow through the creation of new exhibits, which include sea lion and river otter exhibits and, most recently, a South American Rainforest.
Major funding for WESTERN NEW YORK A TO Z was provided by
with additional funding provided by
Albright Knox Art Gallery: 
Burchfield Penney Art Center: 
Concord Grape Belt: 
Edward M. Cotter Fireboat: 
Forest Lawn Cemetery: 
Lockport Locks: 
Nash House Museum: 
Pierce-Arrow Museum: 
Arcade & Attica Railroad: 
Underground Railroad: 
War of 1812 (Old Fort Niagara): 
Buffalo Zoo: 
