2026 1st Quarter Newsletter
Our Museum in Action
From the President’s Desk…
On December 22, 2025, we were proud to sign a new five-year lease agreement with Jackal Holdings of Buffalo LLC. We are very fortunate to continue our rewarding relationship with the Kubiniec family and to remain in their landmark building at 436 Amherst Street through 2030. We invite you to stop by the museum, visit our exhibits, and share your stories with us.
After a brief weather-related delay, our annual election of Officers and Board Members was held at the January 27 meeting of the Board of Directors. John Dracup was reelected to a two-year term as BRHS Treasurer. Aung Hlaing and Mark Houghton were reelected to three-year terms as Board Members, and David Calgiuri was elected as a new member of the Board. Congratulations to all and thank you for your service to the BRHS and our community.
As a reminder, all dues-paying members of the Black Rock Historical Society are eligible to serve on our Board of Directors. If you love history and would like to share your talents, we encourage you to consider joining us.
Bill Butler
Board President
Upcoming Events
New Acquisitions
Ceramic Pig Shelf
This ceramic pig shelf (6″ X 8.25″) belonged to Spars European Meats and Sausage at 405 Amherst St. This popular market closed in 2025.
Donated by Tony Vining
Advertisement Thermometer
This advertisement thermometer with a fishing scene (5″ X 4″) came from Pastime Restaurant, 113 Amherst St., the proprietors were Stan and Jane Frankowski.
Donated by Deborah Chapman
Historic Photos
1. Interior of Fay’s Prescription Pharmacy at 815 Tonawanda St. on sit of current Rite Aid. From left to right:: Nick Fiorella, Louis Fiorella and Morris Creisdorf., c.1940.
2. H.W. Alt Meat Market at 791 Tonawanda St. on the current site of Rite Aid. Notice School #60 in background on right. Photo from Richard Mack Collection. Date unknown.
New Articles
The Farms of Riverside
Industrial Development on Niagara Street
2025 1st Quarter Newsletter
Our Museum in Action
The first quarter of 2025 has proven to be a very busy time for our museum. We have been fortunate enough to be the host to authors who were happy to present their new books and provide us with some insider information on the subject. Fredricka Barton and the Friends of Freedom Park held a presentation on the importance of Freedom Park as the last stepping stone to freedom for so many of our brothers and sisters as part of the Underground Railroad.
Tim Bohen and his presentation on “The Emerald Thread” the impact of the Irish on Buffalo and Black Rock presented March 6th.
We look forward to more informative presentations with our upcoming Spring Speaker Series to Commence in May.
New Acquisitions
The Black Rock Historical Society received a new acquisition – a Civil War-era shoe that was found in the rafters of a house on East Street. It seems that this was a custom from Europe used to keep “evil spirits” away.
Here is an Old World example of the tradition found today in the 13th century Dominican Cloister, Tallinn, Estonia.
Historic Photos
New Articles
Polish Bakeries of Black Rock
