About Us
The Buffalo Museum of Science is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to the study and interpretation of the natural and physical sciences. Its extensive collections of over 700,000 specimens and artifacts represent all facets of the natural world with an emphasis on Western New York as well as man-made objects spanning the globe. Based at 1020 Humboldt Parkway and anchoring Buffalo’s East Side in Olmsted-designed Martin Luther King, Jr. Park since 1929, the Museum presents a wide variety of programs and services for families, teachers, adults, and community organizations throughout each year.
The Museum also operates Tifft Nature Preserve in South Buffalo, a 264-acre urban wetland preserve on reclaimed former industrial land and seasonally sponsors archaeological exploration at the Hiscock Site in nearby Genesee County, NY, one of North America’s richest Ice Age sites.
The museum and Tifft Nature Preserve are governed by the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences.
Collections
A significant part of the Museum's collection of over 700,000 specimens pertain to the Greater Niagara Region and form by far the most complete record of life in all of its forms in this area in anthropology, botany, entomology, mycology, paleontology and zoology . They provide a good representation of the present and past natural history of the Niagara Frontier of New York and adjacent Ontario, as well as material of worldwide provenance of value in teaching, exhibition and research. The Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences maintains three principal categories of collections: research collections, special collections and teaching collections.
Research
Our research staff are involved in a broad range of projects including the reconstruction of Pleistocene and post-Pleistocne environments and ecological communities in Western New York, ecological management, insect and fungal taxonomy and systematics, evolutionary theory and biogeography, and the evolution of human origins. Additional areas of research by the museum's local Research Fellows and Research Associates include lithics analysis, Mesozoic dinosaurs, and colonial and native American archeology. Other collaborations involve partnerships with Research Associates within the US and abroad. See our current research programs here.
Mission Statement
Inspiring curiosity through exploration.
Looking To The Future
The Buffalo Museum of Science is committed to remaining a relevant resource for science education in our community. In April 2010, BMS was awarded a $100,000 grant from the 21st Century Fund to be used towards the planning of immersive, interactive areas within the museum they call Science Studios. BMS expects that Science Studios will draw tourists from Canada, provide more engaging science learning experiences, and create a better educated population to prepare for the economic growth of the region.
BMS has since engaged ROTO Studio, an exhibit and experience design firm, to help create a Master Plan for the complete renovation of the Museum and evolution of the science experience. By January 2011, the museum will have the necessary documentation to begin engaging funders and the community to partner with us as we move into the future.
Click here for the official press release.
DONATION REQUESTS
Due to an increased volume in the number of requests, the Buffalo Museum of Science is no longer able to honor all donation requests. The museum has instituted a policy restricting donations to educational institutions and registered 501c(3) cultural organizations. Requests must be submitted on official letterhead and should be made at least four weeks prior to the date the donation is needed. All requests will be reviewed for consistency with the museum’s donation policy; however, the museum may not notify groups or organizations if the request does not meet policy criteria.
The programs of the Buffalo Museum of Science are supported in part by public funds from the County of Erie, City of Buffalo and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
