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Welcome to the Buffalo Presidential Center!

Besides Washington, D.C., Buffalo is the city with the most connections to the 45 men who have served as president.

Millard Fillmore (1850-53) and Grover Cleveland (1885-89 and 1893-97) each made their reputations in Buffalo before being elected president. There were two processions to honor Abraham Lincoln after his assassination, and Lincoln's funeral train stopped in Buffalo on April 27, 1865. William McKinley was assassinated at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo in 1901, and eight days later, his Vice-President, Theodore Roosevelt, took the oath of office at the Wilcox Mansion on Delaware Avenue.

With visits from nearly every president for the past 140 years, Western New York is rich in presidential history. The Buffalo Presidential Center commemorates and celebrates these connections, with an eye toward history.

We are an all-volunteer, non-profit organization chartered by New York State to explore and share stories about Western New York’s historic and contemporary contributions to the Presidency and national affairs.

The Buffalo Presidential Center operates a museum on the second floor of the Central Library free of charge. We also travel throughout Western New York, presenting public programs and exhibits. If you’re interested in learning more about our topics, or hosting a speaker for your group, please visit the Speaker's Bureau tab.

Buffalo Presidential Center
2nd floor of the Buffalo and Erie County Library
1 Lafayette Square
Buffalo, N.Y. 14203

Hours of operation:

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. every Saturday

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"Buffalo is full of inspiration! Next to Washington, the richest presidential history of any city."

— Brady Carlson, NPR host and author of Dead Presidents: An American Adventure into the Strange Deaths and Surprising Afterlives of our Nation's Leaders

Current Exhibit: May 31-September 9, 2025

Franklin D. Roosevelt:

Buffalo’s Friend in War, Peace, and Hard Times

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Franklin D. Roosevelt was one of the most popular and powerful presidents, revered by many in Buffalo. He visited Western New York at least 14 times — first as a State Senator in 1911. His final visit was during his presidency in 1940 when he toured the Bell, Curtis Wright and Bethlehem plants and delivered a memorable campaign speech in Niagara Square. Featuring unique historic artifacts, you’ll learn about FDR's campaigns and his contributions to Buffalo.

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