130 Main St, Buffalo,
NY 14202
Life in Buffalo is tied to the water: the dynamic ports, canals and harbor have long fueled our city’s prosperity and innovation. Come follow the waterways through time as they carry boats, move people and power Buffalo. Our iconic two-story waterfall cascades down into a water table where children of all ages learn about the Erie Canal, how locks work and how electricity is produced.
Exhibit Features
Feel the Falls
Presented by East Hill Foundation
Stand near our 30-foot waterfall to understand the power it generates while learning about the history of Niagara Falls.
Powering Buffalo
Power our water wheel to see if you can generate enough power to light up the historic Pan-American Exposition.
Canal Works
Presented by The Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo
Can you navigate your boat through the Erie Canal? Discover how locks work using your problem-solving skills.
Quiet Cove
Enjoy this quiet space which features low lighting, soft materials, calming colors, and low volume. This is a safe place to retreat in the event of sensory and/or social overstimulation while still allowing you to participate in the exhibit. This space can also be used as a nursing room for families. Click here for further information and additional resources for Access and Inclusion.
Little Slip
Our youngest visitors explore the world of water by gathering, scooping, catching and splashing in this table designed by a Seneca Nation artist.
Erie Canal Boat Adventures
Crane Presented by Columbus McKinnon Corporation & Book Nook presented by Geico Philanthropic Foundation
Hop aboard our canal boat to experience what it was like to work a boat on the Erie Canal, including using a crane to hoist loads on and off the boat or guiding a rudder to steer the boat.
NYS Early Learning Guideline
Moving Water is where children and adults investigate
water’s sensory and physical properties, explore the functions and interconnection between the Erie Canal and its engineering work, control water’s movement to generate power and immerse themselves in the roles of Erie Canal boat workers and passengers.
Primary Learning Domain: Exploring STEM concepts through
hands-on experimentation.
Secondary Learning Domains: Developing socially and emotionally through interaction with peers and adults. Fostering a sense of community and culture.
Social & Emotional Development
- Interaction with Adults All Ages
- Interaction with Peers Ages 1+
- Adaptive Social Behavior Ages 1+
Communication, Language, & Literacy
- Reading & Writing Ages 1+
- Listening Skills Ages 1+
Community & Culture
- Community Ages 1+
- Civic Responsibility Ages 3+
- History Ages 5+
STEM
- Scientific Thinking Ages 1+
- Technology Ages 3+
- Critical & Analytic Thinking Ages 3+
- Measurement Ages 5+
Arts/Arts Appreciation
- Expression & Representation Ages 3+
Physical Well-Being, Health & Motor Development
- Sensorimotor All Ages
- Gross Motor All Ages
- Fine Motor Ages 1+
