Buffalo Maritime Center

10/08/2026

Check out Greg's piece in Buffalo Rising about our new afterschool program, BMC After 3, and how students are building a uniquely Buffalo boat, the Strawberry Islander!

By Greg Dudley, Boatbuilding Programs Director, Buffalo Maritime Center Each school year, the Buffalo Maritime Center (BMC) invites students into the shop to learn life lessons and STEM principles through wooden boatbuilding. This year, we’ve created an exciting new initiative to add to our in-sch...

09/30/2026

Come see us this Saturday, October 3 for Locktober Fest!

09/25/2026

NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS!

The BMC After 3 is a new afterschool student boatbuilding program for middle school and high school-aged students at the Buffalo Maritime Center. We invite students to come into our wooden boatshop at 90 Arthur Street to work on individual projects and graduate to team boatbuilding as they build their skills!

The Buffalo Maritime Center is a safe, fun, learning environment for students in Riverside and Black Rock who are looking for extracurricular activities. This is a “drop-in” program which means that students can visit the BMC as much or as little as they would like throughout the school year.

Registration is required each week and cancellations are appreciated so that other students can join in their place! Registration for the following week will open up on Fridays so please make sure to remind students to get to the BMC and register for the days they'd like to work in the shop.

Thanks for your help to spread the word!

Here's a link to more information and registration: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/buffalomaritimecenter/items/759719/calendar/?flow=no&full-items=yes

09/24/2026

One year ago today we embarked on the historic Bicentennial Voyage of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief! In the past year we travelled over a 1000 miles along the Erie Canal and the Hudson River from Buffalo to New York City and back again. We met tens of thousands of people along the way and shared the complex history of the Erie Canal and the inspiring story of how the iconic Erie Canal Boat was built by over 200 volunteers and students in Buffalo. Thank you to all who played a role in this epic boat project.

You can still come and see the Erie Canal Boat this weekend at Canalside before we move the boat up to Lockport for the winter. We will also be open for tours and programming during Locktoberfest on Saturday, October 3rd so don’t miss out!

07/29/2026

Join the BMC on the water for Tuesday Night Paddles.

07/27/2026

07/21/2026

We've rescheduled the performance of Shakespeare in Delaware Park's Fools and Foes at the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief at the Commercial Slip. The new date is Thursday, July 30 beginning at 7PM. Bring your chair and join us for a wonderful evening performance at Canalside!

Great news! Our Touring Production of Fools and Foes at the Erie Canal Seneca Chief Boat that was cancelled last week has been RESCHEDULED for Thursday, July 30th at 7pm.

Upcoming Tour Locations:

July 21st – Clarence Town Park (10405 Main St, Clarence, NY 14031)

July 22nd – Kenan Center (433 Locust St, Lockport, NY 14094)

July 27th – Hennepin Park Gazebo (4th & Center Streets Lewiston, NY 14092)

July 30th – Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief (Commercial Slip @ Canalside: 44 Prime St, Buffalo, NY, 14203)

See you there!

07/16/2026

On this 716 Day we wanted to recap our Back to Buffalo Voyage! After wintering in Waterford and a three week long trip; the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief is back at Canalside! Along the way we had a thousand students participate in our hands-on programming, caught up with old friends, and showed around first time visitors. Thank you to all of our port partners, supporters, and volunteers for making the Back to Buffalo Voyage happen.

We have a variety of events & programming happening this summer. Free weekly on-the-water programming, Dockside Demonstrations, and tours of Seneca Chief. Come and join the BMC this summer!

#716

07/14/2026

You can tour the Seneca Chief at the Commercial Slip at Canalside every Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

It's the replica boat that traveled across the state last year for the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal. We toured it today on , and even squeezed into the replica-sized bunkbeds on board 😬

Full episode: https://www.wivb.com/video/buffalo-brief-seneca-chief-tour/11956442/