Experience the Corridor from Home!
The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor is rich with history spanning the centuries. Starting with the founding of the Michigan Street Baptist Church in the 1830s and continuing to thrive well into the 20th century, the Corridor was the center of African American cultural in the City of Buffalo for decades.
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Explore these cultural treasures from the comfort of your own home! Simply watch the video where a guide takes you through the spaces, or click through the 3D virtual tour yourself at your own leisure.
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Email info@michiganstreetbuffalo.org with any questions.
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Enjoy the tour!
The Michigan Street Baptist Church
Owned by the not-for-profit organization, the Buffalo Niagara Freedom Coalition, the Church has been a central part of the history and culture of Buffalo for more than 150 years. The 1845 building became a legendary Underground Railroad station, providing escaped slaves sanctuary before crossing to freedom in Canada. National leaders, including Frederick Douglass and Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. have delivered powerful messages from this sanctuary. The church is about to undergo historic restoration.
Watch the guided video tour!
Explore the space on your own!
The Nash House Museum
Once the home of Rev. Edward Nash, pastor of the Michigan Street Baptist Church, The Nash House is currently owned by the not-for-profit organization The Michigan Street Preservation Corporation. The historic house has been operating as a museum since 2007. Many of Rev. Nash’s sermons and letters that are a crucial part of Buffalo’s African American community history were written here and are on display for viewing. The house is currently getting cosmetic updates.
Explore the space on your own!
The Historic Colored Musician's Club & Museum
The Colored Musicians Union, Local 533, was formed in 1917. A year later, upstairs from the office, the Colored Musicians Club became an after-hours gathering place for local touring musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Art Blakely, and many, many more. The club received designation as a historical landmark in 1979. Prior to the pandemic, it was still offering regular Sunday night jam sessions and was operating an interactive museum dedicated to jazz history. The club is about to embark on an expansion of its building to allow for more visitors and handicap accessibility.
Watch the guided video tour!
Explore the space on your own!
WUFO Black History Radio Collective
Established in 1961, WUFO is the only African American owned radio station in Western New York. In 2013, WUFO was purchased by Sheila L. Brown of Vision Multimedia Group (VMMG) and True Bethel Community Development Corporation, making it WNY’s first black, female-owned station. Brown is a well-respected icon in the community and hopes to open a not-for-profit Black History Collective, the first of its kind in the country. You can visit and see how a radio station operates. WUFO has provided America with popular African American radio personalities, including Frankie Crocker, Gary Byrd, Jerry Bledsoe, Thelka McCall, Dwayne Dancer Donovan, Don Allen, Don Mullins, and many more!