Buffalo Naval Park

RADM Robert E. Wirth at the Buffalo Naval Park
2025-09-11 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | Buffalo Naval Park: Hangar Building, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
The Buffalo Naval Park and the Western New York Council of the Navy League of the United States is proud to host Rear Admiral Robert E. Wirth, a native of Grand Island, NY, for two special presentations on Thursday, September 11.Currently serving as Commander, Submarine Group TEN, RADM Wirth has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and more.RADM Wirth will be the keynote speaker at the 9/11 Day of Remembrance Ceremony starting at 11:30 AM. At 4:00 PM, he will speak on the current and future state of the U.S. Navy. Both programs will take place at the Buffalo Naval Park’s Hangar Building and are free and open to the public.
*Please note that the ships will be closed to the public on September 11 due to the 9/11 Day of Service with volunteers participating from National Grid, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, M&T Bank, HARCAT Welding, and more.

EC200 Speaker Series: Melissa Parker Leonard
2025-09-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Buffalo Naval Park: Hangar Building, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Melissa Parker Leonard is the founder of 7th Gen Cultural Resources, an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Indigenous history. She will discuss the Erie Canal’s impact on the Buffalo Creek Reservation and Seneca Indian Park.
The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) is presenting the 2025 Erie Canal Bicentennial Commemoration at Canalside in Buffalo, NY from Memorial Day through September. The EC200 Speaker Series will take place in the Buffalo Naval Park’s Hangar Building on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. This series is co-sponsored by the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park and The Buffalo History Museum.
Speakers will include subject matter experts regarding Buffalo’s Erie Canal heritage and those who were key in helping develop the Waterway of Change: Complex Legacies of the Erie Canal exhibit in the Longshed Building.

Overnight Youth Encampment
2025-09-13 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Sat. September 13 @ 4:00 PM – Sun. September 14 @ 10:00 AM
Spend the night aboard USS Little Rock! Our overnight youth encampment is a unique adventure for scouts, youth groups, friends, and families.
During your overnight encampment, you will:
• Sleep in berthing compartments where the real Little Rock crew lived;
• Enjoy dinner and breakfast in the crew’s Mess Deck;
• Tour the USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and USS Croaker;
• Participate in educational programs and activities to learn about life onboard ship (educational programs may vary).
Visit buffalonavalpark.org/overnight for additional information.

Behind the Scenes Curator Tour
2025-09-14 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-21 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-28 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-12 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-11-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Join the Buffalo Naval and Military Park’s Curator and Director of Museum Collections, Shane Stephenson, for a special behind the scenes tour of USS Little Rock, the last remaining Cleveland-class cruiser in the world.
This tour will give an in-depth look at our ships as artifacts and highlight some of the challenges in preserving them for future generations. You’ll visit spaces aboard USS Little Rock and USS The Sullivans that are not available on any other tour.
Each tour will last approximately 2 hours and will be limited to 11 people. When touring most areas of the ship, visitors should expect to traverse narrow passageways, be able to step over significantly raised thresholds, and climb up and down very steep ladders. We recommend that you wear comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, and bring a flashlight.
Due to the length of the tour and the spaces that will be visited, the Curator tour is for ages 11 and older.
Curator Tours will take place at 1:00 PM.
Click here to purchase your tickets!

Overnight Youth Encampment
2025-09-20 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Sat. September 20 @ 4:00 PM – Sun. September 21 @ 10:00 AM
Spend the night aboard USS Little Rock! Our overnight youth encampment is a unique adventure for scouts, youth groups, friends, and families.
During your overnight encampment, you will:
• Sleep in berthing compartments where the real Little Rock crew lived;
• Enjoy dinner and breakfast in the crew’s Mess Deck;
• Tour the USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and USS Croaker;
• Participate in educational programs and activities to learn about life onboard ship (educational programs may vary).
Visit buffalonavalpark.org/overnight for additional information.

EC200 Speaker Series: Rich Newberg and Tim Bohen
2025-09-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Buffalo Naval Park: Hangar Building, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Rich Newberg and Tim Bohen will conclude the EC200 Speaker Series with a presentation called “Charting the Course for Canalside: The Erie Canal Legacy Lives On.” They will discuss the development of Canalside, from the initial concept to the grand opening ceremonies. Learn about the history of the Canal District in Buffalo and the legacy of the grain scoopers to the launch of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief. Balladeer Stuart Shapiro will also perform a few numbers that finished first in Erie Canal original song writing competitions.
The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) is presenting the 2025 Erie Canal Bicentennial Commemoration at Canalside in Buffalo, NY from Memorial Day through September. The EC200 Speaker Series will take place in the Buffalo Naval Park’s Hangar Building on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. This series is co-sponsored by the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park and The Buffalo History Museum.
Speakers will include subject matter experts regarding Buffalo’s Erie Canal heritage and those who were key in helping develop the Waterway of Change: Complex Legacies of the Erie Canal exhibit in the Longshed Building.

Historic Naval Ship Association (HNSA) Symposium and Maritime Heritage Conference
2025-09-24 - 2025-09-27
The Buffalo Naval Park is excited to host the Maritime Heritage Conference/Historic Naval Ships Association (HNSA) Annual Symposium in Buffalo, NY this year. Join us on September 24–27 for a gathering of naval and maritime scholars and people from the world of maritime museums, historic lighthouses, tall ships for sail training and youth, small craft, marine art, sailing, advocacy, and more!
We look forward to seeing you there! #MHC2025

Overnight Youth Encampment
2025-09-27 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Sat. September 27 @ 4:00 PM – Sun. September 28 @ 10:00 AM
Spend the night aboard USS Little Rock! Our overnight youth encampment is a unique adventure for scouts, youth groups, friends, and families.
During your overnight encampment, you will:
• Sleep in berthing compartments where the real Little Rock crew lived;
• Enjoy dinner and breakfast in the crew’s Mess Deck;
• Tour the USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and USS Croaker;
• Participate in educational programs and activities to learn about life onboard ship (educational programs may vary).
Visit buffalonavalpark.org/overnight for additional information.

The Borinqueneers Film Screening
2025-10-04 12:30 - 13:30 | Buffalo Naval Park: Hangar Building, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
In collaboration with the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, the Buffalo Naval Park will host a special Hispanic Heritage Month film screening of “The Borinqueneers,” a documentary about the Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment. Watch the film on our big screen in the Naval Park’s Hangar Building. It is free and open to the public.

Overnight Youth Encampment
2025-10-04 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Sat. October 4 @ 4:00 PM – Sun. October 5 @ 10:00 AM
Spend the night aboard USS Little Rock! Our overnight youth encampment is a unique adventure for scouts, youth groups, friends, and families.
During your overnight encampment, you will:
• Sleep in berthing compartments where the real Little Rock crew lived;
• Enjoy dinner and breakfast in the crew’s Mess Deck;
• Tour the USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and USS Croaker;
• Participate in educational programs and activities to learn about life onboard ship (educational programs may vary).
Visit buffalonavalpark.org/overnight for additional information.

Ship or Treat
2025-10-11 10:00 - 15:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Celebrate Halloween at the Buffalo Naval Park! Wear your costume and “Ship-or-Treat” aboard USS The Sullivans, USS Little Rock, and USS Croaker to participate in family activities and collect Halloween goodies. This event is designed for children ages 16 and under and is free with the price of admission.
The Naval Park will be open from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, with last admission at 3:00 PM. The Ship or Treat activities will be available between 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
When touring most areas of the ships, visitors should expect to traverse narrow passageways, be able to step over significantly raised thresholds, and climb up and down very steep ladders. If you choose to wear a costume, please ensure that it is family friendly and fits properly to help prevent trips and falls. Please avoid items such as oversized shoes, high heels, and long capes.

Overnight Youth Encampment
2025-10-11 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Sat. October 11 @ 4:00 PM – Sun. October 12 @ 10:00 AM
Spend the night aboard USS Little Rock! Our overnight youth encampment is a unique adventure for scouts, youth groups, friends, and families.
During your overnight encampment, you will:
• Sleep in berthing compartments where the real Little Rock crew lived;
• Enjoy dinner and breakfast in the crew’s Mess Deck;
• Tour the USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and USS Croaker;
• Participate in educational programs and activities to learn about life onboard ship (educational programs may vary).
Visit buffalonavalpark.org/overnight for additional information.

LCDR Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Day
2025-10-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Celebrate LCDR Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s legacy and service at the Buffalo Naval Park on Saturday, October 18. The first 150 visitors will receive a specialty Ralph C. Wilson trading card. Inside the Hangar Building, a documentary about the history of the Buffalo Bills will play on the top of the hour at 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, and 2:00 PM. It is free and open to the public.
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. (October 17, 1918-March 25, 2014) served as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was the commanding officer of the minesweeper USS Picket. He served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres and navigated the first ship into Tokyo Bay after the atomic bomb had been dropped.
He later became a successful businessman and is best known as the founder and 54-year owner of the Buffalo Bills. In 2017, his wife Mary Wilson generously donated her husband’s military uniform, medals, and letters he wrote to his dad while in service.

Overnight Youth Encampment
2025-10-18 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Sat. October 18 @ 4:00 PM – Sun. October 19 @ 10:00 AM
Spend the night aboard USS Little Rock! Our overnight youth encampment is a unique adventure for scouts, youth groups, friends, and families.
During your overnight encampment, you will:
• Sleep in berthing compartments where the real Little Rock crew lived;
• Enjoy dinner and breakfast in the crew’s Mess Deck;
• Tour the USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and USS Croaker;
• Participate in educational programs and activities to learn about life onboard ship (educational programs may vary).
Visit buffalonavalpark.org/overnight for additional information.

Speaker Series: Legendary Athletes in Combat During World War II
2025-10-23 18:00 - 19:30 | Buffalo Naval Park: Hangar Building, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Join us at the Buffalo Naval Park’s Hangar Building at 6:00 PM on Thursday, October 23, for a speaker series program with author, historian, and actor Christopher Warner. His written works have appeared in numerous magazines and publications, including Aviation History, Military History, The Past, Portland Monthly, World War Two Quarterly, History Scotland, Irish America, The Kerry Magazine, and Síocháin. His new book, Playing for Keeps: Legendary Athletes in Combat During World War II, was released this Fall.
Playing for Keeps: Legendary Athletes in Combat During World War II presents the combat experiences of the greatest athletes from the “Greatest Generation.” Whether pitching no-hitters, scoring touchdowns, or winning Olympic gold medals, these superstars were a rare breed. But they would also prove their mettle in a different arena, taking part in some of the biggest battles in history.
This event is free and open to the public with a suggested donation of $5.00. Please register online to reserve your seat.

Overnight Youth Encampment
2025-10-25 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Sat. October 25 @ 4:00 PM – Sun. October 26 @ 10:00 AM
Spend the night aboard USS Little Rock! Our overnight youth encampment is a unique adventure for scouts, youth groups, friends, and families.
During your overnight encampment, you will:
• Sleep in berthing compartments where the real Little Rock crew lived;
• Enjoy dinner and breakfast in the crew’s Mess Deck;
• Tour the USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and USS Croaker;
• Participate in educational programs and activities to learn about life onboard ship (educational programs may vary).
Visit buffalonavalpark.org/overnight for additional information.

Overnight Youth Encampment
2025-11-01 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Sat. November 1 @ 4:00 PM – Sun. November 2 @ 10:00 AM
Spend the night aboard USS Little Rock! Our overnight youth encampment is a unique adventure for scouts, youth groups, friends, and families.
During your overnight encampment, you will:
• Sleep in berthing compartments where the real Little Rock crew lived;
• Enjoy dinner and breakfast in the crew’s Mess Deck;
• Tour the USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and USS Croaker;
• Participate in educational programs and activities to learn about life onboard ship (educational programs may vary).
Visit buffalonavalpark.org/overnight for additional information.

Veterans Race
2025-11-08 08:30 - 11:30 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Veterans Race presented by Destination Races is proudly supported by RICHMOND VONA PERSONAL INJURY.
The Race is open to the entire community to celebrate our military veterans. We welcome the young, old, families, friends, military and civilian. Co-hosted with WNY Heroes and Buffalo Naval & Military Park. Proceeds will benefit these two groups to PRESERVE. PROTECT. HONOR all who served.EVENT DATE:November 8, 2025Race Start Time: 9:00 AMREGISTRATION
Follow this link to registerOnline registration closes November 5PRE-RACE PACKET PICK UPNovember 7, 2025 from 11:30 AM-7:30 PMLocation: Other Half BreweryKIDS “CADET” RACE
November 8, 2025
Race Start Time: 8:30 AM
Open to all kids ages 2-8. Kids will receive an admission ticket to the Buffalo Naval Park. Registration is required.POST RACE: Other Half Brewery featuring a Kegs n’ Eggs Post Race Celebration.

* Participants receive food & drink** Spectators and non-runners welcome but to enjoy the food & drink, the cost is $10.

Overnight Youth Encampment
2025-11-08 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Sat. November 8 @ 4:00 PM – Sun. November 9 @ 10:00 AM
Spend the night aboard USS Little Rock! Our overnight youth encampment is a unique adventure for scouts, youth groups, friends, and families.
During your overnight encampment, you will:
• Sleep in berthing compartments where the real Little Rock crew lived;
• Enjoy dinner and breakfast in the crew’s Mess Deck;
• Tour the USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and USS Croaker;
• Participate in educational programs and activities to learn about life onboard ship (educational programs may vary).
Visit buffalonavalpark.org/overnight for additional information.

Veterans Day at the Buffalo Naval Park
2025-11-11 10:00 - 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Celebrate Veterans Day at the Buffalo Naval Park. Veterans with ID receive free admission. The Naval Park will be open from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, with last admission at 3:00 PM.
Join us for a Veterans Day ceremony in the Hangar Building at 10:00 AM. It is free and open to the public.
At 12:00 PM, an outdoor ceremony will take place at the Hispanic American Veterans Memorial.
The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity will host a ceremony in the Hangar Building at 2:00 PM which will conclude with a wreath laying at the African American Veterans Monument. At 4:00 PM, the Buffalo Retired Old Men Eating Out (BROMEOs) and African American Veterans Monument, Inc. will host the 2025 Outstanding Citizens Award ceremony to honor five veterans: World War II U.S. Army veteran Colonel Luther Burnette, Command Sergeant Major Henry W. Curtis, Sergeant First Class Reverend Eugene L. Pierce, Corporal Monica Lynch, and Sergeant Richard Clark.
All ceremonies are free and open to the public.
The Radio Association of Western New York will be operating on the air from the radio room aboard USS Little Rock on both Saturday, November 8 and Tuesday, November 11. They will welcome visitors to stop by and ask questions. Kids can send their name in morse code and earn a certificate.

Overnight Youth Encampment
2025-11-15 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Sat. November 15 @ 4:00 PM – Sun. November 16 @ 10:00 AM
Spend the night aboard USS Little Rock! Our overnight youth encampment is a unique adventure for scouts, youth groups, friends, and families.
During your overnight encampment, you will:
• Sleep in berthing compartments where the real Little Rock crew lived;
• Enjoy dinner and breakfast in the crew’s Mess Deck;
• Tour the USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and USS Croaker;
• Participate in educational programs and activities to learn about life onboard ship (educational programs may vary).
Visit buffalonavalpark.org/overnight for additional information.

Overnight Youth Encampment
2025-11-22 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Sat. November 22 @ 4:00 PM – Sun. November 23 @ 10:00 AM
Spend the night aboard USS Little Rock! Our overnight youth encampment is a unique adventure for scouts, youth groups, friends, and families.
During your overnight encampment, you will:
• Sleep in berthing compartments where the real Little Rock crew lived;
• Enjoy dinner and breakfast in the crew’s Mess Deck;
• Tour the USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and USS Croaker;
• Participate in educational programs and activities to learn about life onboard ship (educational programs may vary).
Visit buffalonavalpark.org/overnight for additional information.

Deck the Hulls
2025-11-29 10:00 - 18:00 | Buffalo Naval Park: Hangar Building, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Deck the Hulls at the Buffalo Naval Park and join us for a festive day of holiday movies, hot cocoa, holiday shopping, crafts, a book signing, and more! Meet Santa and watch the ships light up for the holiday season at a special ship lighting ceremony.
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Book Signing with Shane Stephenson, Curator at the Buffalo Naval Park
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Special appearance by Santa
1:00 PM: Movie Screening of Christmas in Connecticut
3:00 PM: Movie Screening of White Christmas
5:00 PM: Naval Park Holiday Ship Lighting Ceremony
The event is free and open to the public with drinks and snacks available in the Hangar Building for purchase. The Naval Park’s gift shop will be open from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
November 29 will also kick off our guided Blue Nose Winter Tours, which will be available every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 1:30 PM throughout the winter, weather permitting.

FDR Remembers Pearl Harbor
2025-12-07 11:00 - 12:00 | Buffalo Naval Park: Hangar Building, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Local actor Albert McFadyen will reprise his role as Franklin Delano Roosevelt during a special program at the Buffalo Naval Park on Sunday, December 7 at 11:00 AM to commemorate the 84th anniversary of the Japanese attacks on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in which more than 2,500 servicemen and civilians were killed and more than 1,200 were wounded.
McFadyen will recreate Roosevelt’s “Day of Infamy” speech to Congress, given on December 8, 1941, and share stories and anecdotes about Roosevelt’s life and presidency. He uses an antique wheelchair and cane in his portrayal of the 32nd president, who was paralyzed from the waist down because of polio. McFadyen has portrayed FDR at numerous schools and theaters around the United States and supplied Roosevelt’s voice in the Ken Burns production “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.”
This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to reserve your seat.

Army-Navy Game Watch Party
2025-12-13 14:30 - 18:00 | Buffalo Naval Park: Hangar Building, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Join the Buffalo Naval Park for the rivalry game of the year! We’ll be watching the Army-Navy Game on the big screen inside the Hangar Building. There will be food, drinks, games, prizes, and giveaways!
All ages are welcome, but you must be 21+ to consume alcoholic beverages.
Registration is required. Each ticket includes food and drinks. All proceeds from the game will be donated to the Buffalo Naval Park to help maintain and preserve our ships.

Deck the Hulls
2025-12-20 12:00 - 15:00 | Buffalo Naval Park: Hangar Building, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Deck the Hulls at the Buffalo Naval Park! Meet Santa and join us for a festive afternoon of holiday movies, hot cocoa, holiday shopping, crafts, and more!
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Take photos with Santa
12:30 PM: Movie Screening of The Polar Express
The event is free and open to the public with drinks and snacks available in the Hangar Building for purchase. The Naval Park’s gift shop will be open from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Guided Blue Nose Winter Tours are available every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 1:30 PM throughout the winter, weather permitting. Tickets can be purchased inside the gift shop.
