The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society Building is the sole surviving permanent structure from the City's 1901 Pan-American Exposition. It was erected as the New York State pavilion and was taken over immediately following the exposition by the Historical Society, founded by Former President Millard Fillmore.

The beautiful Venetian marble building, the masterwork of architect George Cary, is meant to evoke a Greek Temple. It's eight-columned south portico, seen in this image, is a scaled-down version of the Athens' Parthenon, overlooking the Delaware Park lake which Olmsted called “Gala Waters,” but which is now known as Hoyt Lake.