Black History Month Bus Tours In Western New York

The arrival of February brings lots of different things to Western New York. Not only are we that much closer to the end of winter and the start of spring, holidays like Easter, St. Patrick's Day, and Dingus Day are on the horizon. However, perhaps the best thing that happens when February rolls around is Black History Month.

Most people don't realize how big of a connection Buffalo and Western New York have to black history. Whether it's Buffalo's first permanent resident, other important figures in the development and prosperity of America, or key events that have helped shape where we are today, Buffalo's contribution to black history is a key lynchpin in American history.

With Black History Month in full swing, there are all sorts of events happening all over Western New York for you to learn more about black history in the region. One such event is a new bus tour that is here to help teach people all about Black history.

Buffalo Now Has Weekly Black History Bus Tours in February

According to the Buffalo African American Museum, these bus tours are a part of the Together as One Initiative, which got started during Black History Month in 2023 as an attempt to help provide a centralized hub of information about all of the different events and plans that were happening around Black History Month in Western New York.

Different cultural organizations in the Buffalo area organize various events. Those organizations include the African American Cultural Center, Buffalo Black Achievers Museum, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Buffalo Arts Studio, Buffalo Genealogical Society of the African Diaspora, Uncrowned Queens Institute, and more.

How Do I Get On One Of These Buffalo Black History Bus Tours?

These free Buffalo Black History bus tours will run every Saturday during Black History Month.

Each week there is a different tour theme:

• Week 1 - Saturday, February 3, 2024, 10am–2pm | The Journey to Freedom
  • This tour features a historical narrative of Freedom Park (formerly known as Broderick Park) by Storyteller Sharon Holley, and a guided tour of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center.
• Week 2 - Saturday, February 10, 2024, 10am–1pm | Honoring Black Leaders of WNY
  • This tour features a presentation by the Buffalo Museum of Science, tour of the Buffalo Black Achievers Museum and a guided tour of The Buffalo History Museum, in partnership with Uncrowned Queens.
• Week 3 - Saturday, February 17, 2024, 10am–1pm | The Buffalo African American Museum and John E. Brent
  • This tour features a tour of the John E. Brent Garden, MLK Jr. Monument Plaza, and concludes at the Buffalo and Erie County Central Library. The Library features an exhibit of the history and stories of the Buffalo African American Museum, chaired by Mr. Clifford Bell.
• Week 4 - Saturday, February 24, 2024, 10am–1pm | Celebrating Black History, Culture and Milestones
  • This tour features a tour of The Nash House at the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor, a stop at the African American Cultural Center and finally The Freedom Wall on Michigan Street.

There are limited spots on each tour, so if you wish to attend, you need to register. You can click here to do just that.

You can find out more information about Black History in Buffalo right here.