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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
© photo by Steven D. Desmond
Current exhibit: Roosevelt and the Teddy Bear
Theodore Roosevelt had a passion for hunting. On November 14, 1902, he had no luck on a bear hunting excursion. Roosevelt's host, not wanting to disappoint the President, captured a cub and tied it to a willow tree so that Roosevelt could shoot it. "Teddy" refused, noting that it would be unsportsmanlike, and returned to the White House empty-handed. Journalists recounted this story.
A few days later, The Washington Post ran a political cartoon in depicting the President sparing the bear's life. The tale generated national attention.
Morris and Rose Michton, Brooklyn candy store owners, created a stuffed bear toy to commemorate the event. They called it a “Teddy Bear” and sent it to the president, requesting permission to use his name on their product.
The President laughingly okayed the idea, beginning a tradition that continues nearly 125 years later. By 1906, Teddy Bears were a national craze. Roosevelt and his family took pleasure in this silliness.
Our exhibit contains "The Roosevelt Bears at Niagara” and “The Rough Rider Bear.” A set of eight different "Bears of Sagamore Hill" were also marketed.
We bet you have at least one Teddy Bear in your house!
Autumn Events:
We continue to celebrate America 250 with educational programs for young and not-so-young history lovers!
3 x 5: a Presidential History Program
Three speakers — a presidential historian, a high school student, and an elementary or middle schooler — will deliver five educational programs about American history and the presidency. Main topics include:
Presidential Peculiarities: Weird, Wild, and Wonderful Facts
About America's Presidents
Tim Breen, trustee, the Buffalo Presidential Center
11 a.m., October 3, 2026
Love, Hate, and Manipulation: Presidents and the Media
Jeff Schober, trustee, the Buffalo Presidential Center
11 a.m., November 21, 2026
Dynamic Duos: Women of the White House
Christopher Falgiano, A.P. U.S. History Teacher, Frontier High School
11 a.m., January 23, 2027
17 Deadly Days: Gerald Ford Eluded an Assassin’s Bullet — Twice
Jeff Schober, trustee, the Buffalo Presidential Center
11 a.m., February 27, 2027
Presidents and America’s Pastime: How Baseball Influenced the Oval Office
Tim Breen, trustee, the Buffalo Presidential Center
11 a.m., March 20, 2027
In addition to the main topics listed above, each program examines two additional interesting issues, delivered by young scholars. Click here for information about how to become a student presenter.
Where: The Buffalo Presidential Center, second floor, the Central Library.
Events are free and open to all. We invite everyone to join us, from elementary students to octogenarians, and anywhere in between.
Homeschool History Hustle
Fall 2026
We invite homeschool students to visit our museum on the second floor of the Central Library for one, two, or all three of our weekday autumn offerings. Each event will last approximately 75 minutes and include in-person readings, discussions about select presidents’ successes and failures, and ties to New York State history. Parents are welcome to stay, or students may be dropped off while parents and toddlers explore other parts of the library. Our classes are geared toward kids ages 10-15 and will be active, educational, and fun!
Tuesday, September 29
10-11:15 a.m.
The Empire State in the 19th Century: Two Presidents and a First Lady
Students will learn details and historical context about Martin Van Buren, Grover Cleveland, and Frances Folsom Cleveland.
Tuesday, October 13
10-11:15 a.m.
Civil Rights in New York
Students will learn how the presidency of Millard Fillmore impacted the Civil War; area ties to the Anti-Slavery Movement, and local landmarks that help tell the story of emancipation.
Thursday, October 29
10-11:15 a.m.
The Roosevelts of New York
Students will learn about Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt, First Ladies Edith and Eleanor Roosevelt, Alice Roosevelt, their ties to New York State, and how they impacted the presidency.
Each event is free, with a recommended donation is $10 per student. For questions, information, or to register, email Jeff Schober at jeffschober@hotmail.com.
"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
© photo by Steven D. Desmond