The Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village (BNHV) season opens on Saturday, May 13, 2023 and promises to offer exciting new experiences including interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Set on 35 acres of lush greenery, the BNHV features over 20 historic buildings that have been relocated from across Western New York.
The museum’s mission is to educate the community about the region’s history and heritage with a focus on agriculture and everything that goes along with it. The BNHV hosts a variety of exhibits and programs that showcase the region’s cultural heritage, from its early Native American inhabitants to its industrial heyday and beyond.
Executive Director, Carrie Stiver explains, “when people think about New York, you don’t normally think about agriculture, but we’re home to the Erie Canal and that literally changed the agricultural trade on a global level forever. It changed the way that people grow and trade food. It changed what we grow here in New York. [Today,] We are one of the top producers of things like apples, wine, dairy products, and maple syrup. We’re the second largest producer of maple syrup behind Vermont.”
Adding, “agriculture is hugely important to New York and New York is hugely important to the history of agriculture and the way people grow and get their food today, not just in this country, but all over the world. We really have played an incredibly important part in all of that. It’s not the first thing that comes to mind when people think of our state and we love surprising people with that and telling that story, [for example,] Amherst started as a rural farming community in a lot of ways, it still really is a farming community.”
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW:
This year, visitors will journey along an engaging trail where they will meet interpreters at various stations who will share their knowledge and expertise through presentations featuring visual aides, agricultural demonstrations, and immersive hands-on activities for all ages. Visitors will have an opportunity to experience what life was like on the farm in the 19th century and learn about traditional agricultural practices such as plowing, planting, and harvesting.
One of the highlights of BNHV’s 2023 season is the Farmstead in their Historic Village. This section of the museum features a variety of crops and gardens that serve as interactive learning spaces for the community. One of the most exciting projects in this area is the brand new Five Senses Community Garden project. Visitors can explore the garden and learn about the different plants and herbs that grow there, as well as how they are used in cooking and medicine.
In addition to the gardens, the BNHV has a collection of rare and endangered livestock breeds and is home to chickens and a flock of critically endangered Hog Island Sheep.
From May 13 – June 3, BNHV will present “Sheep Themed Educational Activities and Discussions” which will be sure to delight visitors of all ages. The programming includes presentations on exploring the place of sheep on the farm, the Hog Island sheep breed, and the use of products such as wool and lanolin.
Sensory experiences such as tasting sheep’s milk cheese (while available) and exploring different stages/forms of the wool fiber through touch, including a sheep-themed sensory play bin for children, are also available.
Demonstrations such as wool processing and sheep shearing will be weather dependent and shearing schedule dependent. And for those who want to get their hands dirty, there will be hands-on activities such as carding wool, spinning wool, and using a drop spindle are also part of this exciting programming.
Stiver, is really excited about this year’s offerings, “this season we’ve really grown into our mission of focusing on agriculture and everything that goes along with that. There’s truly something new for everyone. We’re incredibly excited to bring the Village to life with our interpreters throughout all of our open hours, so visitors can ask questions, do hands-on activities, and generally have a more dynamic experience than we’ve ever offered before.”
If you’re looking for a unique and educational experience that is sure to delight visitors of all ages, then look no further than Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village. With its interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and hands-on activities, BNHV is the perfect destination for families, history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in learning more about the rich heritage of the Buffalo Niagara region.
Opening Day | Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village
3755 Tonawanda Creek Rd, Amherst, NY 14228
Tickets are on sale now at BNHV.org