On July 1, 1902, the Pan-American Exposition's Goddess of Light statue was torn to the ground. The statue, which adorned the fair's tallest structure, had become a symbol of the Exposition. Now, it had been sold off. However, it would never make it to its new owner.Af The Buffalo History Museum

112 years ago today, RMS Titanic disappeared into the icy depths of the North Atlantic after striking an iceberg. The disaster would take the lives of more than 1,500 passengers and crew, two of whom were Buffalo's own. This is their story.Af The Buffalo History Museum

On August 23, 1923, a team of Federal Prohibition Agents raided Buffalo's elite Saturn Club in search of illegal alcohol. The raid, which uncovered large amounts of booze, was led by one of the Saturn Club's own members, "Wild" Bill Donovan.Af The Buffalo History Museum

Between 1910 and 1956, the Canadiana ferried passengers between Buffalo and Canada's Crystal Beach Amusement Park. This is the story of the ship, her demise, and her near resurrection.Af The Buffalo History Museum

Twenty years after Hooker Chemical buried its last metal drum in the depths of William Love's abandoned canal, local residents begin experiencing health problems. The ensuing years become a fight for their lives.Af The Buffalo History Museum

Fifty years after William Love abandoned his Model City settlement in Niagara Falls, a local chemical manufacturer made use of his half-excavated canal. Part III coming next week.Af The Buffalo History Museum

In 1894, William T. Love broke ground on his grand vision—a utopian community which he called "Model City." His dream however, would never come to pass. In time, what remained of his project would become the epicenter of one our nation's worst environmental disasters. Stay tuned for part two.Af The Buffalo History Museum

On March 31, 1954, a wooden annex of Cheektowaga's Cleve Hill School caught fire in seconds, taking the lives of fifteen children. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review us!Af The Buffalo History Museum

We're joined today by Barbara Seals Nevergold, PhD to discuss the life of Ida Dora Fairbush, the first African American teacher in the Buffalo Public School District. To learn more about Ida, clink below: https://www.buffaloschools.org/cms/lib/NY01913551/Centricity/Domain/9000/Ida-Fairbush-Biography.pdf…

At just 26" tall, Chiquita was one of the Pan-American Exposition's tiniest attractions. In November of 1901, she and a worker at the fair married in secret, much to the dismay of her manager, Frank Bostock, aka The Animal King.Af The Buffalo History Museum

For over three decades, legendary escape artist and magician Harry Houdini made Buffalo's theaters a regular destination. Today, we recap the King of Handcuff's many visits to Western New York.Af The Buffalo History Museum

In March 1930, police arrested two Indigenous women, Nancy Bowen and Lila Jimerson, for the murder of a white woman in Buffalo, New York. Their arrests, trials, and coverage in the media would highlight issues of Indigenous sovereignty and clashing belief systems. Dr. Joe Stahlman, Director of the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum joins us to discuss…

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.Af The Buffalo History Museum

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.Af The Buffalo History Museum

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. Than…

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.Af The Buffalo History Museum

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.Af The Buffalo History Museum

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.Af The Buffalo History Museum

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!Af The Buffalo History Museum

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

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, …

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 o…

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.Af The Buffalo History Museum

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.Af The Buffalo History Museum

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.Af The Buffalo History Museum

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 podcas…

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.buffa…

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.Af The Buffalo History Museum

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.Af The Buffalo History Museum

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.orgAf The Buffalo History Museum

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 Hum…

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.Af The Buffalo History Museum

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.Af The Buffalo History Museum

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…

In the fall of 1918, Erie County, like much of the world, was overcome by an H1N1 virus, commonly known as the Spanish Flu. Over 18 months between 1918 and 1919, the virus infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide, killing up to 50 million on its way to becoming one of the deadliest pandemics the world has ever known. The Buffalo History M…

In 1884, Belva Lockwood became the first woman to run for president, 36 years before women were granted the right to vote. The Buffalo History Museum Podcast is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities. http://www.neh.gov Visit The Buffalo History Museum's website at http://www.buffalohistory.org…

In 1825, Erie County held its first and only public execution when Israel, Isaac, and Nelson Thayer were hanged for the murder of John Love. The Buffalo History Museum Podcast is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities. http://www.neh.gov Visit our website at http://www.buffalohistory.org…

The Buffalo History Museum Podcast debuts September 21! Each episode, we'll share a story from our amazing Western New York history. The podcast is made possible by support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Be sure to subscribe and review us.Af The Buffalo History Museum