Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum

Historical Significance of the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company

While not as prolific in automobile history as some of its Rust Belt counterparts, Buffalo was once home to the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company’s sprawling factory. This factory manufactured luxury cars from 1903 to 1936, catering to the city's wealthy elite, the White House, and royal families worldwide.

The Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum

Exhibits and Collections

The Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum showcases several early examples of Pierce-Arrow cars and factory artifacts. The collection includes rare cars and motorcycles, along with automobilia amassed by the museum cofounders over 50 years. Pierce-Arrow also produced bicycles, motorcycles, and bird cages, which are also on display. The museum is housed within a former Mack Truck showroom and repair shop.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unique Filling Station

Another centerpiece of the showroom is the only gas station ever designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Designed in the 1920s but not built at the time, the two-story Filling Station was constructed to Wright’s exact specifications inside the museum. It features a second-story observation room with a fireplace, a copper roof, and authentic Tydol Oil signs – the company that had commissioned the station design but never built it.

Visitor Impressions

Recent travelers say the museum is well worth the visit, with many surprised by the size and scope of the collection. Various visitors have called it an “unexpected treasure,” a “hidden gem,” and a “must-visit” for car enthusiasts. Even those who aren't particularly interested in cars have found it worthwhile.

Hours & Tickets

The Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located in the heart of downtown Buffalo and is accessible by car, with ample, free parking on site. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger.

For more information, visit the Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum website.