Thursday, October 1, 2026
A From BNHV's New Executive Director Dr. Larry White:
Greetings, Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village
It is a genuine honor to introduce myself as your new Executive Director. My name is Larry White, and I join the Village after nearly thirty years of leadership in the nonprofit and public sectors. Most recently, I served as CEO of a large public library system with multiple locations, where I learned that strong institutions are built by people who care deeply about their communities and the stories those communities carry and share with each other.
Libraries and heritage villages share a common purpose. Both exist to preserve memory, spark curiosity, and connect generations. I hold doctoral and master's degrees in library and information science and I do some adjunct teaching of research methods and knowledge management at the University at Buffalo. In every role, I have found that the most rewarding work happens when we help people discover how the past shapes who they are today.
History has always been one of my great loves. I have a bachelor’s degree in history (American Revolution) and I am drawn to the everyday lives of the people who came before us: farmers, craftspeople, merchants, and families whose labor built this region. Walking the grounds of the Village, I feel their presence in every building, tool, and tradition we protect. That sense of connection is exactly why I wanted to be here.
I am truly excited about the road ahead. My priority is listening to everyone. I want to hear from our volunteers, members, staff, board, and neighbors about what the Village means to you and what you hope it can become. Together, we will strengthen our foundation, bring our collections and programs to new audiences, and ensure that this remarkable place thrives for generations to come.
On a personal note, I am married to wife Brenda, and we and our 2 fur kids live in Angola. In my past, I have served as a certified therapy dog handler who has visited hospitals and elder care facilities bringing furry love to those there. Those visits always remind me that presence and compassion matter most.
Please stop by, say hello, and share your stories with me. I look forward to meeting you.
With gratitude,
Larry N. White, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
A Special Note From BNHV Executive Director Dr. Carrie Stiver:
As we wrap up 2024 and look toward the new year, I am thrilled to announce that BNHV will reopen for our regular Village Season in May 2025!
We will be open for general admission, tours, and special programs May-September, and wrap up the year with our popular Spooky Season programming throughout the month of October.
We have so many exciting things planned for 2025, including new programs, events, and celebrations to mark 50 years of the museum’s operation at our campus on Tonawanda Creek Road.
We’ll share more details in the coming months on our social media and BNHV.org.
We can’t wait to see you in the Village!
Thursday, September 23, 2024
Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village Statement on Decision to Remain at Current Location
The Board of Trustees of Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village (BNHV) has made the decision to cease plans to relocate the museum to the new Amherst Central Park and instead move forward with previous plans to build new exhibits and facilities at the museum’s current location at 3755 Tonawanda Creek Road in Amherst.
BNHV Trustees and leadership were excited by the prospect of becoming part of a cultural hub in a more accessible and central location. However, the recent decision by the New York State Supreme Court prohibiting relocation of BNHV’s farm animals to Amherst Central Park compelled us to reassess those plans. BNHV’s chickens, bees, and heritage breed sheep are an integral part of our mission and programming. As such, in light of the challenges presented by this ruling, we’ve decided to return to plans developed in 2022 to create new exhibits and facilities on our current campus.
BNHV is grateful to Supervisor Brian Kulpa and the Amherst Town Board for their support and for the opportunity to be involved in the Amherst Central Park project. We look forward to working with them to develop our plans as we continue our ongoing fundraising efforts to support new exhibits, updated interpretation and new guest amenities in the Historic Village and Farmstead. We are excited for the renovation of our current campus into a dynamic, state-of-the-art, cultural attraction and educational institution to be enjoyed by our community and visitors to the Buffalo Niagara region.
We are also endlessly grateful to our members, friends, and the people of Amherst and Greater Buffalo for their patience, ongoing support, and engagement. As we move ahead with our exciting plans for the future, we also look forward to celebrating 2025 as the 50th anniversary of the museum’s operation at our campus, and to continuing to serve our community as the Co-Town Historian of Amherst; as the caretaker of thousands of artifacts and archives critical to the preservation of Amherst history and the history of agriculture in our region; and as a safe, fun, and educational gathering space. We are excited for our future, and grateful to all for joining us on the next steps in this journey.
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember McMahon Announce $1.5 Million for Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village