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History Museum finishes portico gallery project

Thomas O'Neil-White

The Buffalo History Museum cut the ribbon on a $2 million project that restores a previously inaccessible part of the museum into gallery space above the museum’s portico.

The gallery restoration is part of a second phase of the “Restore, Reactivate, Reconnect” project. The first phase, completed in 2019, connected side entryways to Delaware Park.

The new gallery space is a new twist on an old idea, said Buffalo History Museum Executive Director Melissa Brown.

“The reactivating of the portico gallery is foundational to and advances a bold re-imagining of the guest experience set forth in the museum’s new master plan,” she said. “This expansive new gallery now aligns to the original vision of architect George Cary.”

The gallery will serve as a space for programming, field trips, exhibits and special events.

The Buffalo History Museum has stood for 120 years, debuting in the lead up to the 1901 Pan-American Exposition. The museum will present a celebration of Erie County’s 200th birthday this October.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Thomas moved to Western New York at the age of 14. A graduate of Buffalo State College, he majored in Communications Studies and was part of the sports staff for WBNY. When not following his beloved University of Kentucky Wildcats and Boston Red Sox, Thomas enjoys coaching youth basketball, reading Tolkien novels and seeing live music.
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