Current Classes

Enjoy the rare sounds of yesteryear from a dozen fascinating, self-playing mechanical musical instruments including street organs, organettes and music boxes, many over 100 years old.

This illustrated talk describes the intersections between two of America's most famous men of the late 19th and early 20th centuries: Teddy Roosevelt and Mark Twain. They covered some of the same physical terrain in Buffalo, they were both authors and orators, they were beloved by the American public, they both had gigantic egos, their domestic lives were filled with a tight family circle spent in gorgeous mansions and were plagued by tragedy, they were both conflicted about wealth, the average, common laborer and entrepreneurship, and they had deep respect for each other on a personal level. However, they had distinctly different lifestyles, and were worlds apart on economic and political policies. These key differences were mostly expressed in private, but sometimes spilled over into the public arena. Their relationship was complicated. For example, Twain once called Roosevelt "far and away the worst president we have ever had." The presenter's two books on Twain in Buffalo will be available for purchase and signing.

Nutrition, Healing, and Culture India and Bangladesh are home to an incredible variety of exotic fruits and vegetables, many celebrated for their healing properties and rich nutritional value. In this class, you'll discover the cultural stories and traditional knowledge behind these foods, and learn how to incorporate them into your everyday meals. Explore flavors and ingredients that are wonderfully different from what you typically find in American grocery stores! (Allow 90 Minutes for class.)

Haitians today live in a violent, gang-ruled society. They find some comfort in their national religion, Vodou. This complex religious system has been widely misunderstood and sensationalized, largely due to false popular beliefs created about it during its suppression under the terrible century-long Code Noir of King Louis XIV, issued in 1685. In fact, Vodou is the premiere Afro-Caribbean religious system, offering comfort and protection to believers, which likely began among the African slaves transported to Hispaniola as early as 1505. It developed as a blending of various African beliefs with French Catholic and indigenous Taino beliefs. The port of New Orleans had been closed by its own code noir; the need for labor generated by the Louisiana Purchase of 1804 re-opened the port to the importation of slaves, and Vodou morphed into "Voodoo." This is the story of Haitian Vodou, and its role in that nation's exemplary and tragic history.

Visits to the presidential homes of our Founding Fathers, not for the political details, but for human interest stories and surprising observations. This will include an extensive book and media list.

The American Women quarters program is a series of commemorative quarters released by the United States Mint from 2022 through 2025. They feature designs of notable women in U.S. history, commemorating the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Learn about these 20 amazing women who worked for women's suffrage, civil rights, government, humanities, science, space, and arts.

Learn how to navigate the Audacy app to stream your favorite live radio stations, sports, and podcasts and even National TV broadcasts like MSNBS and Fox. This class guides you through finding content, creating custom stations, and saving your top shows for easy listening.

This evening can be explained according to different themes, each with widespread cultural parallels: as a seasonal/calendrical event; as a "ritual of reversal;" as Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival; as All Hallows Eve, a Christian observance; as a witches' sabbath; as a modern pagan holiday; and, in America, a special festival for children

Situational awareness is a concise safety program that teaches participants how to recognize potential threats, stay alert to their surroundings, and make rapid decisions to protect themselves and others during a violent incident. (Disclaimer: This class topic is of a sensitive nature, and while we believe it is an important topic to offer, please note it could be upsetting to attendees.)

An examination of the origins and traditions of this internationally celebrated holiday. From its earliest foundations to the present day, it provides mystery and enjoyment to the world.

Every family, every home and every community has a story; but we all struggle to curate the massive number of papers, photographs and other items piled unorganized in boxes in our attics, closets and basements. Learn how to collect, curate and preserve the history of your family, home and community, and how to document and preserve your own story for future generations.

Discover the basics of winter storm development, including lake effect snow, nor'easters, and snow squalls, and the preparedness actions you should take when faced with harsh winter weather conditions.

Did you know that male honeybees have a mother but no father? That there are "winter bees" which live longer than the usual 6 weeks? Plus, more!

What does it take to bring a World War II fighter airplane home? This presentation tells the remarkable story of how volunteers from the Niagara Air & Space Museum acquired, transported, and reassembled a rare three-quarter-scale Curtiss P-40 Warhawk from the Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, New York. Through photographs and firsthand stories, you'll follow the project from a simple idea to a successful museum exhibit, learning about the planning, teamwork, engineering, and determination required to move an aircraft more than 150 miles. Along the way, you'll also discover the important role Western New York played during World War II, when Buffalo became one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturing centers and the P-40 Warhawk became a symbol of the region's industrial strength and wartime contribution. This engaging presentation celebrates local history, dedicated volunteers, and the preservation of our aviation heritage for future generations.

The Navy promoted only four lifelong Navy men to the rank of fleet Admiral, or Five-Star. This is the story of how their career paths and personalities worked together to overcome the Axis powers in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans during WW2. Let's discuss!

Situational awareness is a concise safety program that teaches participants how to recognize potential threats, stay alert to their surroundings, and make rapid decisions to protect themselves and others during a violent incident. (Disclaimer: This class topic is of a sensitive nature, and while we believe it is an important topic to offer, please note it could be upsetting to attendees.)

Everyone suffers from stress. We worry about our finances, our health and our families. However, chronic stress can be dangerous. In this seminar, we'll talk about how stress affects our bodies and learn some stress management techniques, including the benefits of humor and laughter.

The instructor will provide health insurance options for persons with and without Medicare and options to fill the gaps in Medicare.

If you are the executor of a will, the trustee of a trust, or someone's power of attorney agent, you are taking on a very serious responsibility. This presentation introduces these roles and helps participants anticipate and avoid the common mistakes that people make when handling financial transactions on behalf of their loved ones.

Travel back more than 200 years for a guided tour of the Hull Family Home & Farmstead, the oldest fully restored stone dwelling in Erie County. Built around 1810 by Revolutionary War veteran Warren Hull for his wife, Polly, and their family, the Federal-style stone house tells the story of one of Western New York's earliest pioneer families and the world they helped build. This 90-minute tour will take you through the beautifully restored historic house and across the farmstead, including the reconstructed early-19th-century threshing barn and Hull family cemetery. Discover how the Hull family lived and worked, and learn about life on a Western New York farm before the Erie Canal transformed the region. * This facility is not fully handicapped accessible, esp. the bathrooms. The tour is limited to 50 guests and will last 90 minutes. Free parking.

Create a Beautiful Hand-Painted Decorative Plate Celebrate the cozy spirit of November with a relaxing and creative painting experience. Participants will learn how to transform a ceramic dessert plate into a unique decorative piece inspired by the season. Choose from a variety of autumn-themed designs, including fall leaves, pumpkins, harvest motifs, florals, and simple seasonal patterns. This beginner-friendly workshop provides step-by-step instruction, guiding participants through the entire painting process-from transferring a design to adding color and decorative details. Whether you're an experienced artist or trying something new, you'll enjoy creating a personalized plate to display or give as a thoughtful handmade gift. All materials are provided. Participants will leave with a beautifully painted decorative plate and new artistic skills. The workshop lasts approximately two hours.

California, 1975. 17 days apart. Two women. Each with a gun. Both tried to assassinate President Gerald Ford. One was a disgruntled housewife who only recently passed away. The other was a follower of Charles Manson. This is the fascinating story of Ford's brief presidency, the fallout from the attempted assassinations, and how the president got lucky - twice.

This class is a lecture on the creation of the Statler Hotel at 107 Delaware Avenue. To understand the hotel, you have to understand the man and the family curse. This topic has many dark undertones such as homicide, suicide, and strange deaths.