Buffalo Maritime Center

The Buffalo Maritime Center inspires meaningful connections and life lessons through community boatbuilding, preserving maritime culture, and exploring the waterways of Western New York. Launched in 2010 - previously known as the Center for Watercraft Studies at Buffalo State College - the nonprofit organization is the center point for reviving the maritime culture that earned Buffalo its identity as the Queen City of the Great Lakes.

The Buffalo Maritime Center is a living workshop where volunteers, students, and master craftspeople come together to build, restore, and maintain wooden boats using both traditional and modern techniques. Through educational programs, public exhibits, and large-scale projects like the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief, the BMC fosters a deeper appreciation for the region’s waterways, craftsmanship, and history.

Whether mentoring young apprentices, hosting on-the-water programs, or reconstructing historic vessels, the Buffalo Maritime Center is a place where history is built, skills are shared, and community is strengthened - one boat at a time.

Visit BuffaloMaritimeCenter.org to learn more about BMC’s educational programs, boatbuilding projects, and the organization's dedication to building community. For what’s new and next at the BMC, connect on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and join the mailing list.

Open hours:

Sunday: Closed
Monday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Saturday: Closed

Check out our Education page to see the types of programs offered at the shop.

Class Info

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