The Album - Digital Issue 2

DIGITAL ISSUE 2 2021

VIDEO MESSAGE FROM THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

“There’s great knowledge and strength in digging into history and its nuance. Every event, every place, every thing, every person has a story- it’s humbling to consider how many experiences and stories we each have a responsibility to delve into and better understand.”

-Melissa N. Brown

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HOW DID BUFFALO GET ITS NAME? A CONTROVERSY THAT HAS LONG VEXED SCHOLARS AND RESIDENTS

By Cynthia Van Ness, Director of Library & Archives Color aquatint etched by John Buck based on a drawing by Edward Walsh. Published by R. Ackerman in London, 1811.

If you have spent much time in Buffalo, you may have wondered how our fair city got its name. This is a question that authors, researchers, prominent citizens, and ordinary people have been trying to answer for almost as long as Buffalo has been a point on a map. Reasonable people have adopted and defended various theories as their favorites, picking their team and rooting for it ever after.

So many theories have been proposed over the years that we had to sort them out on a spreadsheet to analyze who proposed what and when.

All the theories agree that Buffalo, the city, took its name from Buffalo Creek, now called the Buffalo River. The name of Buffalo Creek first appeared on a map drawn ca. 1762 by Lt. George Demler, who was stationed at Fort Niagara at the time. The debate then revolves around how Buffalo Creek got its name. While we do not have enough space here to delve into an analysis of each theory, we’ll summarize each one, with its history, background, and occasional commentary.

In chronological order, here are the seven dominant theories of the origin of Buffalo’s name.

1. The first theory to appear in print is Stolen Horsemeat (1825).

Sheldon Ball recounted it in his self-published pamphlet, Buffalo in 1825. French explorers or missionaries in need of provisions found a horse presumably belonging to Native Americans, stole it, and served it to their party claiming it was bison meat. The place was remembered thereafter as Buffalo Creek. Ball himself admitted that he had no proof of it.

2. The next theory to appear in print is Mistranslation of Beaver Creek (1862). Millard Fillmore championed this theory in 1862 during his inaugural speech as the first president of the newly-formed Buffalo Historical Society. There was a miscommunication between the Indigenous and American negotiators during the writing of the Treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1784. The Treaty’s use of “Buffalo Creek” was a mistranslation of Beaver Creek.

3. The Buffalo Name Theory industry had a good year in 1863, perhaps inspired by a disagreement with Fillmore’s speech. Three new theories appeared in print courtesy of William Ketchum. The Seneca 3

Named Buffalo theory (1863) is one of them. An old man whose Seneca name meant “Buffalo” lived by the creek. White settlers found him there, learned his name and its meaning, and so named the creek.

4. The Bison Grazed Here theory (1863) is also courtesy of William Ketchum, who cites numerous sources from the 1700s that indicate the occasional presence of bison on the south shore of Lake Erie.

5. The Mistranslation of Basswood theory (1863) holds that the Seneca called the area To-se-o-way or De-dyo-syo-oh, meaning “Place of the Basswood.” At the Treaty of Fort Stanwix in Rome in 1784, the Mohawk interpreter rendered it as Tick-e-ack-gou, meaning Buffalo.

The Senecas and settlers thereafter used the name Buffalo.

6. The Corruption of Beau Fleuve theory (1895) first appeared in print on March 23, 1895 in an unsigned review in the Buffalo Evening News of a talk on Buffalo’s inception given by Rev. Samuel T. Clarke.

He proposed that unnamed French explorers bestowed the beau fleuve name, which was mangled by subsequent English settlers. No copies of Rev. Clarke’s speech are known to survive, so we do not have the theory in his own words and we do not know if he offered any evidence.

7. The Corruption of Boiblanc theory (1907). The name R. au boiblanc (French for “River of Basswoods”) appears on a map of what is now Upstate and Western New York. It was drawn in 1758 by Captain Pierre Pouchot, a military engineer, for the French army.

William Beauchamp suggests that this phrase could have been corrupted as Buffalo.

So which theory is the correct and true origin of Buffalo’s name? We don’t think that this question will ever be resolved by incontrovertible proof, but we do think that these theories can be ranked by plausibility level. We did so at this page https://tinyurl.com/TBHM-BuffaloName citing all of our sources with more detail. We present arguments and evidence in favor and against the different theories. You can read most of the theories online and compare variations and iterations that accumulated over time. Did we miss a theory? Did we miss a good article in favor of or opposed to a particular theory? Let us know at library@buffalohistory.org!

Conceptual Rendering for Continuum by Hadley Exhibits

COMING SOON TO A MUSEUM NEAR YOU:

CONTINUUM

As Director of Exhibits and Interpretive Planning, it’s my job to develop new and exciting displays at the Museum.

The exhibit offerings, at any one time, should represent diverse stories on a variety of topics that reflect our community. This fall, we have an incredible opportunity to do just that.

For the past two years, our team has been planning a new feature exhibit that will serve as an anchor display at the Museum for the next decade. Titled Continuum: A History of Erie County, the exhibit will be installed as one part of the Museum’s broader engagement with the Erie County Bicentennial commemoration this fall.

Continuum will assume the footprint of our current Neighbors exhibit on the Museum’s second level which has shared the area’s ethnic history for the past quarter century. The new 3,400 square foot experience will provide a comprehensive view of Erie County’s past—even before its modern borders. Our goal is to provide guests with an understanding of why we’re here and who were the people who came before us.

Taking such a macroscopic perspective on our history allows our team to identify and display only a small number of items for each topic. Therefore, we’ve worked to select the most unique items from our collection, assembling them together on view in one space for the first time. These artifacts include Clovis points, the Ararat Stone, the first 4

steel produced at Lackawanna Steel, the shovel which broke ground at the Peace Bridge, and over two hundred more.

One aspect of the exhibit which I love is that it allows us to reshare many of the stories which have been absent in the Museum since our removal of the former Bflo.

Made! exhibit in 2017. Though change was necessary, it was always our goal to bring many of those stories of innovation and industry back. Now, we have that opportunity and are seizing upon it.

For our younger guests, Continuum will feature a handson archaeological dig pit (not real dirt, don’t worry), which will allow them to physically unearth the past and identify objects in a fun and social setting. The exhibit will feature a number of augmented reality experiences—the Museum’s first foray into digital layering. Using your own phones or tablets, you will be able to interact with select objects, accessing history in an entirely new and innovative way! The experience will be accessed via a free Museum app which will need to be downloaded.

The installation of Continuum, along with the restoration of our lower level, will mark a new and exciting era for the Museum. We thank you all for your support during this transformative time and can’t wait for you to enjoy the new exhibit!

EOS: EXPERIENCING OUR STORY Inspired by the Greek goddess of dawn, EOS offers history-based programs through podcasts, videos, virtual events, exhibits, and tours.

EOS programs are inspired by and share the Museum’s artifact collection and stories. You’ll hear stories about Buffalo and Western New York history, heritage, architecture, and personal accounts directly from the Museum’s professional staff, as well as featured guests.

Check out EOS videos and podcasts on

EOS is made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional support is provided by M&T Bank, the County of Erie, New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and from donors, members, and friends.

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PHOTO ALBUM

FROM THE COLLECTION

Aerial view of Erie County Savings Bank with St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Morgan Building and the Garden theatre, 1912.

Erie Basin of Erie Canal, 1890

Waitresses at the Little Harlem Hotel, ca. 1940.

Chinese Relief Meeting at Chinese Merchants Association club rooms at 509 Michigan Avenue, August 1922.

SHOP HISTORIC BUFFALO PHOTOS AT OUR PICTURE STORE 6

Triumphal Bridge from the Grand Canal at the Pan-American Exposition, 1901.

Dreamland attraction on the Midway, Pan-American Exposition, 1901.

Buffalo Sabres vs Vancouver Canucks, Gil Perreault and Kevin McCarthy, ca. 1980.

Plan of the Pan-American Exposition to be held at Buffalo, New York in 1901.

Model T. Ford during Williamsville’s Centennial celebration, 1957.

SHOP HISTORIC BUFFALO PHOTOS AT OUR PICTURE STORE 7

FROM THE COLLECTION

BOOKKEEPING MACHINE

By Rebecca Justinger, Registrar This year we commemorate the 200th anniversary of Erie County. Founded in 1821, Erie County consists of 3 cities and 25 towns, with the county seat in Buffalo, the second largest city in New York State.

One of the most notable features of the area, although often overlooked by locals, is the border between Canada and the United States, officially known as the International Boundary. This is the longest international border in the world and one of the most peaceful boundaries over the course of its history. The first effort to construct a bridge across the Niagara River was in 1851 with the International Railway Bridge opening in 1873.

The desire for a bridge as a monument to honor 100 years of peace along the border began in 1919 and, by 1925, the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Company was incorporated. A quote from the international company’s secretary, John W. VanAllen, highlights the intent of this monument: “…the linking of these abandoned fortifications, Fort Erie and Fort Porter, shall stand as a common declaration against the shedding of blood of either nation by the other in this or future generations.” (August 26, 1925). With groundbreaking ceremonies on August 17, 1925, the Peace Bridge opened to public traffic on June 1, 1927.

The five arches underneath the Peace Bridge were designed to look like a stone skipping across the water.

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This bookkeeping machine was donated to the Museum by the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority. Manufactured by Taller Cooper, this machine represents the Peace Bridge’s first attempt at automating toll collection and the record keeping process. The machines were used from 1928 until 1968. Each collector had a barrel key to open and close their account and the machine’s activities were monitored in the administration building. The information was used to confirm the balance in the toll collector’s money drawer at the end of each shift and keep statistics on bridge traffic. This machine was used to monitor automobile traffic, while similar machines were created specifically for truck traffic.

This artifact is one small piece of a greater story.

We are honored to collect examples of Erie County’s history to share that larger narrative. Erie County is home to a diverse population with rich and varied cultures and we hope that you will join us in the coming year as we continue to share these stories and commemorate the 200th anniversary with the Museum’s upcoming exhibit Continuum.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HISTORIC RESTORATION PROJECT Journal Entry Written on 3/24/2021

By Rob Deguehery, Facilities Manager The wait is over. Our Under the Portico Restoration project is finally underway!

This large scope of work will see the rebirth of an area closed off for a generation.

Additionally, this will provide our lower level with a brand-new HVAC system, beautiful, fully accessible restrooms, and a few more unexpected treats.

To begin, last week we met with the company that will be doing the plaster work, Swiatek Studios. The representative informed us that the Portland Plaster that was used for this space is rated for interior and exterior use. The deterioration we have been seeing is caused by a decay of the lattice that was used. This plaster work will include brand-new, stainless-steel lattice and new Portland Plaster to last for years and years to come. When you walk down the stairs and see the space for the first time, you will notice a large number of columns. These are all part of the original design and have been hidden over the years. Swiatek Studios will also restore the plaster columns to their former glory.

As I am sitting in my office writing this article, I can hear the pulsing rhythm of the jack hammers removing the cobblestone floor from the Street of Shops exhibit and the old restrooms. When the walls were 9

removed in the restrooms, we found some… clever workarounds. For instance, the urinals were attached to old scaffolding pipes and tied to the plumbing. As someone who cares for the cleanliness and operations of the restrooms, this renovation excites me the most. With brand new plumbing and beautiful new fixtures, these restrooms will be a major boost for our guest amenities and experience!

RP Oak Hill Building Company has been an excellent partner in managing this project. They are able to take a hurdle or quirk of our old building and turn it into a positive opportunity for everyone. Our old fire door by the maintenance department was only a little over 2 feet wide. This meant that the crews were not able to get equipment and carts through. RP Oak Hill offered to expand the jam and provide a brand-new fire door for the Museum. It is almost as if they took the Museum’s Guest Services Training!

It won’t be long until we can have you see our amazing space! We cannot wait to have you back!

This phase of construction is supported by Carmina Wood Morris, DPC, Dormitory Authority of New York State, New York’s State Historic Preservation Office, Empire State Development, the City of Buffalo, County of Erie, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and through the generosity of individual donors and friends.

Construction is projected to conclude in July of 2021.

RED JACKET REPATRIATED TO THE SENECA NATION On May 17, 2021, Museum staff traveled to Salamanca to participate in the formal repatriation ceremony of the Red Jacket Peace Medal! The medal has been returned home to the collective stewardship of the Seneca Nationand it is now displayed for public viewing at the Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center (Seneca Iroquois National Museum) in Salamanca.

collection and history of artifact acquisition, so that action can be taken to ensure any artifacts of cultural patrimony are rightfully returned,” said The The ceremony was attended by members of the community, leaders of the Seneca Nation, Museum Buffalo History Museum’s Executive Director, Melissa Brown. “Much like what the Peace Medal staff, and state lawmakers. represents, this is a sign of friendship and connection between the Museum and the Seneca Nation. As “This medal represents what lives inside each and every Seneca – the heart of a sovereign people and we move forward, we look to collaborate with the our rightful recognition as such,” said Seneca Nation Nation to ensure the legacy of Red Jacket and the history of the Seneca Nation throughout our future President Matthew B. Pagels. “This is our identity exhibits, programs, and community events.” as a Nation. It cannot be owned, bought or sold. It belongs to all of us and is passed from generation to “It has truly been my honor to oversee the medal’s generation so it can live forever.” safe keeping these past thirty-one years, and it is an even greater honor to be here to see it rightfully “I like to remind the United States that the returned,” said Walter Mayer, Senior Director Haudenosaunee - especially the Seneca play of Museum Collections at The Buffalo History an important role in your early survival; that is Museum. “It is an important historic artifact of what I see when I look upon the medal,” said Dr. cultural patrimony and the events surrounding its Joe Stahlman, Director of the Seneca-Iroquois 1792 presentation still play out to this day.”

National Museum. “We need to have moments of reconciliation. There are things from the past that View the full ceremony on YouTube. still matter to many of us of here today and we need to talk about them. We need to all heal and find peace.”

“As a steward of local history, the Museum will continue to dedicate itself to reassessing its own 10

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION:

TAKING TANGIBLE STEPS AT THE MUSEUM Cheyenne Ketter - Franklin, Communications & Content Coordinator On June 3, 2020, The Buffalo History Museum posted across its social media and website in support of Black Lives Matter and acknowledgement of the pain that systematic racism has had on the black community. We were not unique in this regard, as many institutions and companies, locally and nationally, shared this sentiment of solidarity, recognition of systemic racism, and support.

It sparked self-reflection that was overdue. While the Museum has begun a new Master Plan to help us grow as a welcoming resource for the diverse community of Western New York, we knew there was more action to take and more we could do not only to educate ourselves, but to take that tangible action. Making a statement, no matter how well intended and with the utmost care, is not enough.

In fall of 2020, the Museum hosted its first DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessible, & Inclusion) meeting. We adopted a formal charter guiding the meetings in November. These meetings are staff driven, where we bring forward articles, resources, ideas, assessments, and have dialogues around DEAI matters through a professional lens.

How might we better adjust the Museum experience for autistic guests? How can we adjust our recruitment procedures to build towards a more diverse staff and Board of Managers? What can we do to better serve and represent 11

the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) members of our community in our programs and exhibits, when historically we have not? These and many conversations fill the Zoom room with every DEAI meeting. I, myself, have served as the first leader of the DEAI Committee, but these are six month terms based on the charter. This position rotates, as we recognize that DEAI initiatives are not limited to one role, one aspect of the work we do, but it is the work and responsibility of everyone.

On April 12, 2021, the Museum board and staff participated in Racial Equity Impact Analysis Training hosted by the Race Matters Institute. This intensive training, while only the beginning of work to be done, delved into the history of prejudice, the benefits of striving for equity, and how the Museum plays a part in this overarching picture.

We continue to see the impact of prejudice nationally, among rising instances of violence towards the AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islander) community and the call for changes to address prejudice to be made in WNY and beyond. The Museum is not only here to document this history, but to take a critical look and to assess our own history.

There is still much for our institution to improve, explore, and address through action and meaningful change. Through co-creation, listening, and growing together, we work towards sharing the history of Western New York.

MEET JENNA CURRAN To celebrate her joining staff, we sat down with Jenna, the new Membership and Events Coordinator.

Q: Welcome, Jenna, to The Buffalo History Museum team! What are you most excited to do now that you’re here?

A: Getting to meet our current (and future!) members.

I view the Museum as a community hub, and I want to get as many people involved as possible to help leave

Q: What are you currently reading?

their mark on history.

A: Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an

American Family by Robert Kolker.

Q: Who would you consider to be your most inspirational historical figure?

Q: What is your favorite exhibit at the Museum?

A: Louise Bourgeois. From a young age I have been

A: The former exhibit Neighbors: The People of Erie

smitten with Bourgeois. Her exploration of ‘womens

County is largely what attracted me to the Museum

roles’, family, death, and the unconscious through

(specifically the Buffalo Main Light third order Fresnel

use of ‘craft’ and ‘womens work’ have been major

lens). As someone who feels community cultivates

influences on my work.

its cultural institutions as much as rely on them, the stories and objects on display were part of the reason

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Q: What is your favorite color?

I applied to the position of Membership and Events

A: Mustard Yellow.

Coordinator.

Q: What is your favorite food?

Q: Is there anything else you would like our members

A: Butter. Cooking and baking are two of my absolute

and broader history friends to know?

favorite things. When I think of things I am always

A: I am anxious to get to meet and know you all. So

buying and still running out of… its butter. As Julia

please don’t hesitate to say hello the next time you are

Childs would say, “Bon appetite!”

the Museum!

RED JACKET AWARDS CEREMONY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2021 HONORING

CLIFFORD BELL

THE RED JACKET AWARD LILLION BATCHELOR SHONNIE FINNEGAN THE OWEN B. AUGSPURGER AWARD THE COLORED MUSICIANS CLUB THE DANIEL B. NIEDERLANDER AWARD CONTACT MEGAN HAHIN, DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, AT MHAHIN@BUFFALOHISTORY.ORG OR (716) 873-9644 EXT. 344 FOR SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS AND MORE INFORMATION.

BUFFALOHISTORY.ORG/RED-JACKET-AWARDS 13

Photo courtesy of Kelsey Reed

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Melissa Brown

ART DIRECTORS

Tamara Bdour, Cheyenne Ketter-Franklin

CONTRIBUTERS

Jenna Curran, Robert deGuehery, Anthony Greco, Cheyenne Ketter - Franklin, Rebecca Justinger, Cynthia Van Ness

THE BUFFALO HISTORY MUSEUM STAFF Melissa Brown Jenna Curran Robert DeGuehery Elizabeth DiPaola Robin Foley Anthony Greco Megan Hahin Kristin Hatch Rebecca Justinger Cheyenne Ketter - Franklin Walter Mayer Kelsey Reed Patrick Ryan James Urbanski Cynthia Van Ness

BOARD OF MANAGERS OFFICERS

Greg D. Tranter - President Kevin Brady - Vice President Cassie Irish - Vice President Jennifer Liber Raines - Vice President Mark L. Martin - Vice President Bill O’Donnell - Vice President Mark Taylor - Vice President Anne Conable - Secretary Brian Dempsey - Treasurer MANAGERS

Gaile Amigone Dr. Lisa Marie Anselmi, PhD Joan M. Bukowski Noel Emerling Terry Gilbride Karna Holmes Dr. Bharat Kohli, M.D Dr. Barbara A. Seals Nevergold, PhD Alexander Schimert Aaron Siegel Rachel Weissfeld Hon. Penny Wolfgang

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The Buffalo History Museum is a private not-for-profit organization tax exempt under Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We receive operating support from the County of Erie, the City of Buffalo, New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and from donors, members, and friends.The Buffalo History Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

LEARN MORE AT

BUFFALOHISTORY.ORG

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR HOURS, EVENT INFORMATION, RESTORATION UPDATES, NEWS, AND MORE!

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THE BUFFALO HISTORY MUSEUM IS SUPPORTED BY

AND ALSO BY DONORS, MEMBERS, AND FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM.

THANK YOU! 16