Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera on summer history events in Erie County
Erie County Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera submitted a July column highlighting a series of upcoming programs and anniversary events that mark the nation’s 250th birthday and celebrate Buffalo and Western New York’s local history.
Chimera notes that many commemorations across the county were led by the Erie County Historical Commission and that celebrations continue into August and beyond.
Key events mentioned
- 716 Celebrates: Stars, Stripes and Signers — A free, family-friendly program at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park on Sunday, Aug. 2, with live entertainment, historical reenactors, family activities, military heritage exhibits and waterfront fireworks. The county provided the event page at buffalonavalpark.org/event/716-celebrates.
- Pan‑American Exposition 125th anniversary walking tour — A walking tour hosted by The Buffalo History Museum recognizing 125 years since Buffalo hosted the Pan‑American Exposition. The museum’s event listing is at buffalohistory.org/event/pan-american-walking-tour-3/; the walk is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1 and includes a souvenir map for paid registrants.
- Forest Lawn Cemetery — Chimera points to year‑round opportunities to explore local history at Forest Lawn Cemetery, which she notes as the final resting place for a number of notable figures and which also offers docent‑led walking tours and a trolley tour.
- Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Special Collections — The county column highlights behind‑the‑scenes access to nearly 500,000 items in the library’s Special Collections at the Central Branch; the library posts details at buffalolib.org/whats-happening and registers monthly tours.
- Doors Open Buffalo — The annual Explore Buffalo event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, offering access to notable buildings and architecture across the region.
Chimera’s column encourages residents to check local municipal listings or the Erie County 250 site (eriecounty250.com) for additional events celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, and she closes with summertime well wishes to readers.
This item was submitted to the newsroom as an editorial column by the Office of the Erie County Executive.
