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Explore Buffalo lists unique February tours

Feb 2, 2016 | Entertainment

The interesting architecture of St. Mary’s School for the Deaf, adventures in Buffalo history and Buffalo’s breweries are the topics of tours being offered by Explore Buffalo during the month of February.

Inside St. Mary’s School for the Deaf
Feb. 3, 6 to 8 p.m.
2253 Main St., Buffalo
St. Mary’s School for the Deaf, established in Buffalo in 1853 as the first academic school for the deaf in the country, was relocated from Edward Street to its current location on Main Street in 1898. This two-hour walking tour highlights the beautiful architecture of this historic building and offers fascinating information about the history and culture of deaf people in the Buffalo area. The tour also offers a glimpse into the current world of educating deaf and hard of hearing students in the 21st century.

Highlights of the tour include original woodwork from 1898, stained glass windows in the former chapel, the school’s cherished museum which houses a wealth of artifacts and photographs from throughout the decades at St. Mary’s, and a brief meet and greet with a few of the school’s residential students, which comprise approximately 30 percent of the current school population. Join Explore Buffalo for a one-of-a-kind tour in one of Buffalo’s iconic buildings!

Enter the driveway from Main Street to use the parking lot which is behind the buildings; the main entrance faces the parking lot and is up a flight of stairs to the right of the bridge that the driveway goes underneath.

Adults: $15
Explorer Pass Holders: $10
Students: $5

Winter 2016 Adventures in Buffalo History
Feb. 4, 7 to 9 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church, 1 Symphony Circle, Buffalo

Black Rock: This presentation will outline the history of Black Rock, beginning with the origins of its name. It will then trace the community’s history from the War of 1812 to the arrival of the Erie Canal and the rivalry between Buffalo and Black Rock to become the canal terminus. Black Rock’s annexation by Buffalo and its rapid growth with an influx of immigrants will also be discussed, along with the neighborhood today and what can be seen of its proud history. 

Buffalo’s Stockyards: Buffalo’s stockyards grew rapidly during the 1800s to become the second largest in the United States. This presentation will explain their growth along with the businesses related to the stockyards, particularly meat packing and processing. Company names that are familiar to Buffalonians today will appear, such as Wardynski. Other associated businesses, including soap factories, tanneries and railroads will be included in this presentation to illustrate the vital importance of the stockyards in Buffalo’s economic growth.

Admission per session: $10
Explorer Pass Holders: Free

Brewing Buffalo: Then & Now Bus Tour
Feb. 6 & 20, 1 to 5 p.m.
Gene McCarthy’s, 74 Hamburg St., Buffalo
Learn about Buffalo’s brewing history while visiting four craft breweries for tours and samples on this four-hour bus tour. Reservations required; must be 21 or older.

Brewing in Buffalo has continually evolved from its beginnings in the early 1800s to its present day revival. At its peak in the early 1900s before Prohibition, Buffalo’s brewing industry included nearly 30 independent breweries producing millions of gallons of beer each year. Today, Buffalo’s brewing culture is returning, with the opening of numerous craft breweries around the city.

Join Explore Buffalo to learn about the history of brewing in the Queen City, and visit four craft breweries for interior tours and product samples.

Adults: $60
Explorer Pass Holders: $55

Winter 2016 Adventures in Buffalo History
Feb. 18, 7 to 9 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church, 1 Symphony Circle, Buffalo

Abolitionist Conventions in 1843 Buffalo: For a few weeks in August of 1843, Buffalo became the center of the national abolitionist movement. Frederick Douglass and his Garrisonian ideals arrived in Buffalo early in the month for a week long convention. Mid-month found the National Convention for Colored Citizens meeting in the city. And, finally, in late August, The Liberty Party, the first political party to fight for the abolition of the slave, had their national convention at Courthouse Park – now Lafayette Square. This talk will give a broad background to the overall abolitionist movement up to 1843, followed by the details of these three national conventions.

Women in Buffalo: The contributions of women are often neglected in historical research. In this lecture, a few of the many women who shaped the history of Buffalo will be presented, including women like Margaret St. John, who persuaded the British to spare her home during the burning of Buffalo. Also featured will be women whose contributions affected not just Buffalo but the entire future of the country, such as Maria Love, who founded the first daycare center in the United States. The work of Charlotte Mulligan, Marian de Forest, Louise Bethune, Cornelia Sage Bentley and two of our country’s first ladies will also be included in this celebration of the women of Buffalo. 

Admission per session: $10
Explorer Pass Holders: Free

For more information on Explore Buffalo tours, events and more, please visit www.explorebuffalo.org, call 245-3032 or email ex*****@ex************.org.

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