Construction at the Buffalo History Museum begins this week on their lower level gallery. It’s the second phase of a $2 million project that focuses on guest amenities, including new restrooms and an HVAC system.
Director of Advancement Kimberly Luangpakdy said once the long-needed construction is completed, the public will have increased access to use the Museum as a flexible use space for programs, events, and school tours.
“The project started and the construction work started in 2019, with an envelope renewal to secure the space under the portico and really resolve some of the decades of damage due to water infiltration,” Luangpakdy said.
The first phase of construction wrapped up in the fall of 2019, with the restoration of park side entryways and windows.
The main location of the Buffalo Museum at 1 Museum Ct. will be closed until March 30.
In the meantime, the Museum’s Resource Center at 459 Forest Ave will remain open Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until March 27 hosting the Spirit of the City: Reimagining the Pan-American Exposition exhibit.
Luangpakdy said this past year changed their outlook on how they prioritize access to their facilities.
“It pushed us to a place of offering virtual programs through a podcast and a video series that's fully accessible on YouTube and virtual programming. We also reopened the museum with free admission when we reopened after the shutdown,” Pakdy said. “We’re really offering people the chance to experience history either virtually or with us safe in person.”
This phase of construction is expected to continue throughout this summer.It’s all part of the Museum’s “Restore, Reactivate, Reconnect” capital campaign to restore one-third of its total space.
