The Niagara History Center announces the opening of a new temporary exhibit, “Irreplaceable: Urban Renewal in Lockport NY'' on Saturday, July 29th with a reception from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. offering a Q&A with museum curators, and a guided tour. The exhibit, tour and reception are free and open to the public.

Researched, developed, and curated by History Center curatorial intern Jaycee Pauline, the exhibit is housed in the main building at 215 Niagara St. in Lockport. Pauline is an art history/museum studies major entering their senior year at Niagara University this fall.

“Irreplaceable: Urban Renewal in Lockport NY'' chronicles the history of Lockport between 1954 and 1974, when efforts to modernize the city transformed the urban landscapes of Downtown and Lowertown. Historic buildings fell to demolition crews, residents were displaced from their communities, and the bustling atmosphere of Downtown became only a memory. Visitors will have the opportunity to view photographs of this era compared to contemporary ones, providing a unique before and after perspective. Memorabilia and merchandise from the beloved family business Williams Brothers will also be on display. This exhibition brings together images from the History Center’s photojournalism collection from the Lockport Union Sun & Journal, and artifacts from the Charles Rand Penney Collection.

The History Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. “Irreplaceable: Urban Renewal in Lockport NY'' will be on display until December 2023.