Archives: Blog

Spirits of the Statler: History and Mystery

Step inside one of Buffalo’s most iconic—and haunted—landmarks for an unforgettable evening of mystery, history, and psychic exploration.

Join Psychic, Chelsea Gill, and Historian, Emily Jarnot, for an intimate, spine-tingling, 3-hour guided journey through the Statler Buffalo, where the past lingers in every gilded hallway and shadowed corner. Guests will uncover the building’s dark and storied history—from the opulence of the Statler family to the tragic tales of workers who perished within its walls, and even whispers of mob activity that once echoed through its corridors. We will be exploring some areas that are rarely seen by the general public!

Whether you’re a believer or a curious skeptic, this immersive experience promises chills, revelations, and a deeper connection to Buffalo’s haunted past.

Purchase tickets for one of two days:

Friday, November 21, 2025
Saturday, November 22, 2025

🕯️ $60/person
Explore for a cause! This funding will support PBN’s landmarking initiatives and Chelsea Gill’s donation to a mental health program for WNY First Responders.

⚠️ Come prepared for the unexpected.

To purchase tickets for either date, please CLICK HERE.

Welcoming Centennial AME Zion Church to the Save Our Sacred Sites Initiative

Preservation Buffalo Niagara is proud to announce that Centennial AME Zion Church has joined our growing list of sacred spaces seeking protection through the Save Our Sacred Sites initiative. Located at 127 Doat Street in Buffalo, this historic church has long served as a spiritual and cultural anchor for its community. Now, it is taking a vital step toward securing its future by applying for local landmark status.

Centennial AME Zion Church reached out to us with a clear mission: to preserve their sacred space and ensure its sustainability for generations to come. Once the church achieves local landmark designation, it will become eligible for historic sacred space funding—a critical resource for buildings like Centennial that are large, costly to maintain, and essential to the fabric of their neighborhoods.

We are honored to support Centennial AME Zion Church in this journey. Their commitment to preservation reflects the broader mission of Save Our Sacred Sites: to protect the spiritual and architectural heritage of Buffalo’s sacred spaces.

If you’d like to support Centennial AME Zion Church directly, please visit their Donation Page. 

Green Book Initiative: Looking Ahead

We are pleased to announce the completion of Phase 1 of our Green Book Sites initiative in Buffalo, NY. Through extensive research and collaboration, Preservation Buffalo Niagara has successfully identified the last remaining 16 Green Book sites in the city—historic locations that once provided safe lodging, dining, and services to Black travelers during the Jim Crow era.

These sites are now featured on our interactive map, which you can explore here:
Interactive Green Book Map 

To learn more about the project and its significance, watch our video:
Watch on YouTube  

For additional background and updates, visit our website:
Preservation Buffalo Niagara 

Looking Ahead: Phase 2 Begins

 

While Phase 1 focuses on identifying and preserving existing sites, Phase 2 shifts our attention to those that have been lost. We are now working to identify the 16 most detrimental Green Book sites that no longer exist—places that once held cultural and historical significance but have since been demolished.
We are actively collaborating with local officials to identify, honor, and protect Green Book sites that remain, while also ensuring that those which have been erased are not forgotten. These sites are a crucial part of Black history in Buffalo, and recognizing them is essential to preserving the legacy of resilience and community.

2025 Past Forward Conference: Sept. 16 – 18

The PastForward Conference, hosted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will take place September 16–18, 2025, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a virtual option available for those unable to attend in person.

This year’s program features keynote speaker Clint Smith, author of How the Word Is Passed, along with presentations from leaders in architecture, public art, and historic preservation. Topics will include African American heritage, climate resilience, and innovative funding strategies for preservation.

While Preservation Buffalo Niagara will not be attending this year, we encourage our community to explore the virtual sessions and engage with the national conversation on preservation.