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Events
Rare Abraham Lincoln Artifacts on Display
April 13th through early June
Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
On April 27th 1865--159 years ago this month--Abraham Lincoln's funeral train, traveling from Washington DC to Springfield IL, stopped in Buffalo. It arrived at Exchange Station at 7 am. The slain President's body, in its open casket, was transported to St. James Hall in a raised bier drawn by 6 white horses dressed in black. Throughout the day 80,000 to 100,00 mourners filed passed the casket until the doors were closed at 8 o'clock that evening.
The Buffalo Presidential Center honors this historic anniversary with a display of fascinating artifacts and the story of Lincoln's Buffalo funeral. Don't miss this moving and educational exhibition.
Artifacts on display include:
Personal eyeglasses worn by Abraham Lincoln
Personal eyeglasses worn by Lincoln's son Robert Todd Lincoln
Lock of Mary Todd Lincoln's hair
Lincoln "Life Mask"
& more
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THIS SPECIAL PROGRAM
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Lee Harvey Oswald : Assassin or Patsy
with John Fagant
Sixty years ago, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Today, controversy still exists as to who pulled the trigger. Was it a lone assassin, or a conspiracy?
Thursday, November 16, 2023
5:30pm - 6:30pm
The Buffalo Presidential Center
(Second floor of the Buffalo and Erie County Central Library)
Check out the BPC's full lineup of free upcoming programs
Part of Erie County's University Express
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2nd 7 PM CLARENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Presidents in Buffalo presented by Bren Price Sr., retired educator, Explore Buffalo Master Docent & BPC Trustee
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 6th 1 PM TONAWANDA PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Hands That Rocked the Cradles: Mothers of U.S. Presidents presented by Dr. Linda Brigance, Professor Emeritus SUNY Fredonia & BPC Trustee
Call 716-693-5043 to register
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9th 10 am CHEEKTOWAGA SENIOR CENTER
Untold Stories of Buffalo Presidents presented by Bren Price Sr., retired educator, Explore Buffalo Master Docent & BPC Trustee
Call 716-741-2650 to register
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9th 1 PM AMHERST SENIOR CENTER
The Hands That Rocked the Cradles: Mothers of U.S. Presidents presented by Dr. Linda Brigance, Professor Emeritus SUNY Fredonia & BPC Trustee
Call 716-636-3051 to register
MONDAY NOVEMBER 13th 1 pm EVANS SENIOR CENTER
The Hands That Rocked the Cradles: Mothers of U.S. Presidents presented by Dr. Linda Brigance, Professor Emeritus SUNY Fredonia & BPC Trustee
Call 716-94-70974 to register
TUESDAY DECEMBER 19th 1 pm EAST AURORA SENIOR CENTER
The Hands That Rocked the Cradles: Mothers of U.S. Presidents presented by Dr. Linda Brigance, Professor Emeritus SUNY Fredonia & BPC Trustee
Call 716-652-7934 to register
MAKE SURE TO STOP BY FOR DOORS OPEN BUFFALO
SATURDAY SEPT. 30, - 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
BPC is proud to once again be part of DOORS OPEN BUFFALO
A free community event led by Explore Buffalo
Free Registration is required.
JACK FRENCH KEMP:
FROM QUARTERBACK TO PUBLIC SERVANT
YOU ARE INVITED to a
SPECIAL OPENING CEREMONY
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 5:30-6:45 PM
featuring Buffalo Sports Journalist Buddy Bailey,
and
Kemp Campaign Manager Jack Hanny
Learn about Kemp's life as a quarterback and public servant
See campaign material and other artifacts:
September 7 - December 2, 2023
Buffalo Presidential Center, 1 Lafayette Square-2nd floor
New Video: Presidents in Buffalo:
Unusual and Untold Stories - Part 2
“The Hands that Rocked the Cradles: Mothers of US Presidents”
Saturday May 6th 2 pm
Central Library/Ring of Knowledge
**Free & Open to the Public**
Presented by Buffalo Presidential Center
Speaker: Dr. Linda Czuba Brigance
Professor Emeritus SUNY Fredonia and Trustee, Buffalo Presidential Center
Despite almost universal acknowledgment—across centuries and cultures—of the importance of mothers in shaping their children’s futures—most of us don’t know much about the women called “mother” by our Presidents.
In honor of Mother’s Day, this presentation tells the stories of the mothers of the five Presidents with the most connections to Buffalo and Western NY: Millard Fillmore, Abraham Lincoln, Grover Cleveland, William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.
LINCOLN'S FUNERAL IN BUFFALO
NEW EXHIBIT - NOW THROUGH MAY
As we acknowledge the 158th anniversary of Lincoln’s funeral train and ceremonies in Buffalo in 1865, The Buffalo Presidential Center invites you to visit us in April and May to learn more about Abraham Lincoln, his colleagues and associates.
You will see original relics like:
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a plate owned by Abraham Lincoln from his home in Springfield, Illinois,
-
books, letters and documents dating to his Illinois years,
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a Lincoln life mask taken from a mold of an original 1860 bronze,
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strands of his hair,
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wallpaper from the room where Lincoln died,
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and this "Dinner Bill of Fare". . .
Just down the street from St. James Hall, where Lincoln's body lay (located on the block between Main and Washington at Exchange Street) stood the The Mansion House. This exclusive hotel was perfectly positioned to accommodate well-to-do residents and travelers arriving by train from around the country. (Today that site is the approximate location of Seneca Towers.) Known as "Buffalo's historical and favored hostelry" it offered a special funeral "Dinner Bill of Fare" and wine list in honor of the fallen president.
What would guests have dined on? You can see an original Courier print of this menu at the exhibit through the end of May at the Buffalo Presidential Center, 2nd Floor of the Central Public Library at 1 Lafayette Square, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm.
This is just one of the many unique artifacts on display that tell the story of when almost 100,000 people in Buffalo paid their respects to their beloved President.
Presidents in Buffalo: Unusual and Unknown Stories- Part 2
Wednesday, March 15, 7pm on Zoom
Considering Buffalo's rich and unique Presidential History, you will be surprised at how many unusual, unknown, and even weird stories abound. Some may be controversial; others "believe it or not." Bring your own stories to share if you have any.
Presented by Bren Price, Sr.
Retired educator, Buffalo Presidential Center Trustee & Explore Buffalo Master Docent.
SPECIAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH PRESENTATION
THE TWO MRS. FILLMORES
Sunday March 19, 2023 - 2 pm
RING OF KNOWLEDGE/1st FLOOR/CENTRAL LIBRARY
1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo NY
**Free & Open to the Public"
The 13th President of the United States, Millard Fillmore, was married to two very different women: Abigail Powers Fillmore & Carolina Carmichael Fillmore. Come explore the stories of these two strong Buffalo women, buried on either side of their husband in Forest Lawn
Presented by Rachelle Moyer Frances, retired Orchard Park teacher, frequent Chautauqua presenter and local history author.
Please Join Us
Forest Lawn Gravesite Ceremony in Recognition of the 223rd Anniversary of the Birth of US President Millard Fillmore
Saturday January 7, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Sponsored by Buffalo Presidential Center, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Aurora Historic Society, and Millard Fillmore Presidential Site
Mark Twain and the Presidents
A talk by Dr. Thomas Reigstad on Mark Twain and the Presidents
December 10, 2022
3:00 PM
Library's Ring of Knowledge
Museums & Culturals Day
On Saturday, September 17, 2022 Doors Open Buffalo attendees can enjoy an added perk! Discounts apply on Saturday September 17, 2022 only.
Please use this link for full details at the Explore Buffalo Website
Mention Doors Open Buffalo and enjoy discounts at the following local institutions in Buffalo and beyond:
Aurora Historical Society Elbert Hubbard Roycroft Museum
Aurora Historical Society Millard Fillmore Presidential Site
Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens
Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park
Buffalo Fire Historical Society
Buffalo Presidential Center
Burchfield Penney Art Center
Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University
Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission (MSAAHCC)
Theodore Roosevelt National Historic Site
WNY Railway Historical Society Museum
Bren Price giving a tour of the Buffalo Presidential Center
Bren Price from the Buffalo Presidential Center gave a tour of the new space.
CLICK HERE to see Bren discussing one of his favorite things on exhibit as posted on our Facebook Page.
Our Presidential Center is open 10-4 Saturdays on the second floor of the Erie County Public Library.
Join us on ZOOM for
"The Buffalo Presidential Story"
Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 12:30 P.M.
Bren Price, Buffalo Presidential Center Trustee & Peter Schiffmacher, 3-D Digital and Visual Storyteller team up to tell Buffalo’s unique and significant presidential stories as part of this season’s Virtual IMAGINE BUFFALO Programs
hosted by Downtown Buffalo & Erie County Public Library for EC2000.
LINCOLN DAYS
at the
BUFFALO PRESIDENTIAL CENTER
Why were there two funerals for Abraham Lincoln in Buffalo in 1865?
Thursday April 28 - 4 to 6:30 pm
&
Saturday April 30th - 10 am - 4 pm
During the week of April 25th, the Buffalo Presidential Center will celebrate Lincoln Days by exhibiting several rare artifacts from the two funerals. On display will be the Lincoln Train Schedule from Rochester to Buffalo; an early steel engraving of Lincoln’s Funeral Carriage and entourage; a Lincoln life mask cast from a mold of an original 1860 bronze; and other unique artifacts.
View Bren Price's video presentation:
The History and Future of the Buffalo Presidential Center.
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library's IMAGINE Buffalo Series - 5/18/21
From Erie County, NY University Express
View Bren Price's video presentation:
Presidents in Buffalo
Flyers from previous events
click on an image to expand the gallery
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