Buffalo Naval Park

African American Veterans Monument Dedication & Unveiling
2022-09-24 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Halifax) | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Witness the dedication and unveiling of the Nation’s First African American Veterans Monument honoring all African American veterans who have served this country since the Revolutionary War! Tickets are free and can be reserved online by following this link.The dedication and unveiling of the African American Veterans Monument is a significant event that will commemorate and preserve the legacy of African American military service members in defense of our Nation. African Americans have served in all 12 of the country’s major conflicts dating back to the Revolutionary War in 1775. The monument will be the first in the United States that collectively celebrates the contributions of African American veterans. The African American Veterans Monument is intended to raise the consciousness of visitors by providing individuals, both young and old, with the opportunity to learn about African American cultural history. The African American Veterans Monument will have a significant impact on visitors to the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, Canalside, the waterfront, and the Erie Basin Marina. It will provide an opportunity to learn more about the sacrifices and contributions made by African Americans amid extremely challenging times including slavery, segregation, and discrimination. Only a small percentage of African American veterans’ stories are known publicly. This interactive exhibit will provide visitors with a virtual reality tour including historical information on each conflict and personal accounts from African American soldiers and/or their respective families.

Time & Location
Saturday, September 24 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
1 Marine Dr, Buffalo, NY 14202

Behind the Scenes Curator Tour
2022-09-24 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-10-15 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-11-25 13:00 - 15:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Join the Buffalo Naval & Military Park’s Curator and Director of Museum Collections, Shane Stephenson, for a special behind the scenes tour of USS Little Rock.
This tour will give an in-depth look at our collections and highlight some of the challenges in preserving these important artifacts for future generations. Visit spaces on board the USS Little Rock that are not available on any of our other tours.
Each tour will last approximately 2 hours and will be limited to 10 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.
Curator Tours will take place at 1:00 PM.
Click here to purchase your tickets!

All Hands On Deck Yoga
2022-10-09 10:30 - 11:30 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Come join us for All Hands on Deck Yoga! Brought to you by Yogis in Service (YIS) and the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, supporting YIS yoga programs for veterans, Yoga on the USS Little Rock is back for its fifth year! Enjoy an outing of yoga and history with Yogis in Service and the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park, all for just $15! Begin with a 60-minute yoga practice on the historical USS Little Rock centered on themes of service and gratitude, led by guest teacher Danny Irwin and YIS teachers Wendy Guyker and Catherine Cook-Cottone. Then, take advantage of all the Naval Park has to offer, take photos on the ship, etc. as your ticket is also good for Naval Park admission for the day. All levels and all ages are welcome, and admission is free for active duty service members and veterans. Shelter on ship is available, so event is RAIN OR SHINE. Space is limited, so reserve your spot by getting your ticket now! Get your yoga practice in before the Bills kick-off!
Schedule:
10:00 a.m. – Registration, set-up
10:30-11:30 a.m. – Yoga flow
11:30-12:00 p.m. – Event wrap-up*
*Your ticket is good for naval park admission for the day.
We are pleased to offer free admission to active duty service members and veterans**
**Please e-mail wmguyker@buffalo.edu for ticket information if you are a veteran or active duty. Click here to purchase your ticket!

The Borinqueneers Book Presentation and Signing
2022-10-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Buffalo Naval Park: Hangar Building, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States

Ship or Treat at the Buffalo Naval Park
2022-10-29 12:00 - 15:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Celebrate Halloween at the Buffalo Naval & Military Park! Wear your costume and “Ship-or-Treat” aboard USS The Sullivans and USS Little Rock to participate in family activities and collect Halloween goodies. Admission to the Naval Park is included in the ticket price. This event is designed for children ages 15 and under.
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 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Please purchase a Ship or Treat ticket only for those who wish to participate in the activities and Halloween goodies. All other guests can purchase a general admission ticket. All children ages 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
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. Click here to purchase your tickets!

Veterans Race
2022-11-05 08:30 - 11:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Since 2012, the Veterans Race, presented by Destination Races, has been honoring all who served and currently serving in our military. Proceeds will benefit both Veterans One-Stop Center and the Buffalo Naval & Military Park to PRESERVE. PROTECT. HONOR all who served. Racers in the 5K and 10K will receive a custom bib and a giveaway. The race, supported by Richmond Vona Personal Injury, is open to all, civilian or military, with special awards for top overall in each class. A post-race party will be held at Southern Tier Brewing Co. EVENT DATENovember 5, 2022Race Start Time: 8:30 AMREGISTRATION
Follow this link to register.PACKET PICK UPThursday, November 3 from 3:30 PM – 7:30 PMFriday, November 4 from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM Location: Buffalo Naval & Military ParkKIDS RACEDate: November 5, 2022Race Start Time: 10:30 AMOpen to all kids ages 2-12. Immediately following the Veterans Race, our “cadets” will run 100 meters alongside the ships at the Naval Park. Kids will receive a bib, awards, a day pass to Explore & More, and post-race activities for the whole family inside the museum. Registration is required. POST RACESouthern Tier Brewing Co. Participants receive food & drink Spectators welcome for free, but to enjoy the food and drink it is $5

Veterans Day at the Buffalo Naval & Military Park
2022-11-11 10:00 - 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Celebrate Veterans Day at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park. Veterans 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.

Speaker Series: The Legacy and Loss of USS Juneau
2022-11-11 16:00 - 17:30 | Buffalo Naval Park: Hangar Building, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
On November 13, 1942, a violent explosion engulfed USS Juneau (CL-52) and the ship seemed to vanish from sight. Catastrophically hit by torpedoes from Japanese submarine I-26, the ship sank in less than a minute with most of its 693 crewmen onboard. About 115 Sailors survived the sinking, but only 10 were rescued after days at sea. The story of service and sacrifice of USS Juneau, particularly the loss of the five Sullivan brothers, had a powerful impact on the U.S. Navy and the nation as a whole, then and today. The discovery of the wreck on March 17, 2018 off the coast of the Solomon Islands has provided the Navy with an opportunity to corroborate the historical records and try to answer some of history’s lingering questions.
On Veterans Day – Friday, November 11, the Buffalo Naval & Military Park is honored to welcome Blair Atcheson to Buffalo to discuss the legacy and loss of USS Juneau. She is the Program Manager for the Naval History and Heritage Command’s (NHHC) Underwater Archaeology Branch, located in Washington, DC. NHHC is responsible for the management, research, preservation, and interpretation of the U.S. Navy’s sunken and terrestrial military craft. A collection that includes over 3,000 shipwrecks and 14,000 aircraft wrecks dispersed world-wide and which date from the American Revolution to the nuclear age. The study of USS Juneau fulfills the Underwater Archaeology Branch’s mission to interpret, manage, and protect the Navy’s shipwrecks, but also serves as a way to honor the service of the ship and crew.
The speaker series program will begin at 4:00 PM in the Buffalo Naval Park’s Hangar Building. It is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be available for purchase. Please register to reserve your seat.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony
2022-12-07 10:00 - 11:00 | 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 & Military Park to commemorate the 81st 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
2022-12-10 14:30 - 18:00 | Buffalo Naval Park: Hangar Building, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Join the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military 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!
Registration is required. This event is open to the public with a recommended $35 donation at the gate. All proceeds from the game will be donated to the Buffalo Naval & Military Park to help maintain and preserve our ships.

Opening Day
2023-03-25 10:00 - 17:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Join the Buffalo Naval & Military Park on our opening day!
Ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30 AM near the entrance of USS The Sullivans.
Hours for the 2023 Season:Open 7 days a week10 AM to 5 PM, with the last ticket sold at 4 PM

National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony
2023-03-29 10:00 - 10:30 | Buffalo Naval Park's Monuments Garden, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
On March 29, the Buffalo Naval Park will host a ceremony near the Vietnam War Memorial at 10 AM to honor National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
This outdoor event is free and open to the public.

Overnight Youth Encampment
2023-04-01 16:00 - 2023-04-02 10:00, 2023-04-15 16:00 - 2023-04-16 10:00, 2023-04-22 16:00 - 2023-04-23 10:00, 2023-04-29 16:00 - 2023-04-30 10:00, 2023-05-06 16:00 - 2023-05-07 10:00, 2023-05-13 16:00 - 2023-05-14 10:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
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.

USS The Sullivans 80th Anniversary Event
2023-04-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
On April 4, 1943, USS The Sullivans was launched and christened by Alleta Sullivan, the mother of the five Sullivan brothers, less than five months after they were killed in action at the Battle of Guadalcanal. On the 80th Anniversary, at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 4, join the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park for a special event with members of the Sullivan family to honor the history and legacy of the ship and to recognize the people who have played an important role in its preservation.
This event is free and open to the public.

Behind the Scenes Curator Tour
2023-04-08 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-04-22 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-05-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
Join the Buffalo Naval & Military Park’s Curator and Director of Museum Collections, Shane Stephenson, for a special behind the scenes tour of USS Little Rock.
This tour will give an in-depth look at our collections and highlight some of the challenges in preserving these important artifacts for future generations. Visit spaces on board the USS Little Rock that are not available on any of our other tours.
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, this tour is not recommended for those under 11 years of age.
Curator Tours will take place at 1:00 PM.
Click here to purchase your tickets!

National Borinqueneers Day Commemoration
2023-04-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Buffalo Naval Park's Monuments Garden, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
On April 13, the Buffalo Naval Park will host a ceremony near the WNY Hispanic American Veterans Memorial at 11:00 AM to honor National Borinqueneers Day. The designation of April 13 as National Borinqueneers Day recognizes the bravery, service, and sacrifice of the 65th Infantry Regiment, a U.S. Army unit that consisted mostly of soldiers from Puerto Rico. They fought in World War I, World War II, and Korea.
This outdoor event is free and open to the public.

Last Day to Order Geraniums for Mother's Day Flower Sale
2023-05-08 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park is hosting an online geranium sale just in time for spring and Mother’s Day. 3.5-inch pots of patriot red, white, or lavender blue geraniums are available for $3.50 per plant or $52 per flat (20 plants). 12-inch patio hanging baskets of geraniums with a spike in the middle are available for $32 each. All flowers are supplied by Agle Farm. Curbside pick-up is available on Marine Drive in front of the Buffalo Naval & Military Park on Friday, May 12 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM and on Saturday, May 13 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Pre-sale Only; Orders are due by Monday, May 8. Purchase flowers here to support the Buffalo Naval Park!Flowers must be picked up in person. If you are unable to pick up your flowers, you may designate someone to pick them up on your behalf. No flowers will be shipped.If you have any questions or would like to order over the phone, please call 716-847-1773, ext. 10.All sales are final. We appreciate your support!

Mother's Day Flower Sale Pick Up
2023-05-12 13:00 - 18:00, 2023-05-13 10:00 - 15:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States

Premier Overnight Youth Encampment Weekend
2023-05-12 19:00 - 2023-05-14 10:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park is introducing a new Premier Overnight Youth Encampment Weekend this May! The weekend will include everything we offer at our regular Overnight Youth Encampments over TWO nights instead of one. This allows for more time to explore the Naval Park and get involved in even more in-depth educational activities, docent-led tours, and more. The premier weekend also includes a trip to a Buffalo Bisons baseball game. The Buffalo Bisons are the local minor league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball organization.
Spend two nights aboard Buffalo Naval Park’s USS Little Rock! Our overnight youth encampment is a unique adventure for scouts, youth groups, friends, and families.
During your premier overnight encampment, you will:
– Sleep in restored berthing compartments where the real Little Rock crew lived;
– Enjoy meals 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).
This special Encampment weekend begins on Friday May 12th, 2023 at 7:00 pm and runs through the morning of Sunday, May 14th, 2023 at 10:00 am. You will also have access to the Naval Park all day on Sunday! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday are included in the price of the ticket. Additional snacks will be available for purchase in the Geedunk.
Cost: $199 per person
Arrival: 7:00 PM Friday
Departure: 10:00 AM Sunday (your overnight stay grants you in-out privileges to the Naval Park during business hours on Sunday)
Youth participants must be between the ages of 6-18. Adult supervision is required for youth participants at all times. A minimum of one (1) adult leader is required for every five (5) youth guests. For youth ages 6 & 7, we require a ratio of one (1) adult for every one (1) youth. Adults must be 21 years of age or older.
Full payment or a deposit of $50 per person, including both children and adults, is required to secure the date for your group. The deposit paid will be applied towards the total cost. Once your deposit is paid, it is nonrefundable and cannot be applied to the remaining balance. It can, however, be applied to another person if you are able to find someone to take the reserved spot. Full payment is due two weeks before your overnight date. If we do not receive your payment within the mentioned time frame, your reservation can be cancelled, and your deposit forfeited.
Questions? Visit buffalonavalpark.org/overnight, call 716-847-1773, ext. 18, or email steven@buffalonavalpark.org.

Coast Guard Open House: National Safe Boating Week
2023-05-20 11:00 - 16:00 | Buffalo Naval Park, United States
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Buffalo will be at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park for a Coast Guard Open House on May 20 to kick off National Safe Boating Week. From 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, visitors will explore some of the boats and trailers in the Coast Guard’s fleet, watch live search and rescue demonstrations in the water, and learn about the resources that are offered by the Coast Guard to help boaters stay safe. There will be activities for the whole family, including a line throwing competition.
