Buffalo Naval Park Committee Inc

The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park is the largest inland naval park in the country. Located on Buffalo’s Waterfront, this unique family destination features four decommissioned Naval vessels that served in a variety of military conflicts in our nation’s history. In a typical year, the Naval Park welcomes visitors from all 50 states and over 100 countries. 

In 1976, the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency and a group of community supporters came together to create a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in order to submit a request to the U.S. Navy for a decommissioned naval vessel as part of a waterfront development plan.

The Navy granted their request and, in 1977, donated a destroyer and a guided missile cruiser to the City of Buffalo. After two years of fundraising and restoration, the newly formed organization opened to the public on July 4, 1979. In subsequent years, the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park has added substantially to its collection of military artifacts.

USS Little Rock CLG-4 is the last surviving vessel from the Cleveland-class of light cruisers in the world. It served as the flagship of the Second Fleet and the Sixth Fleet during the Cold War. USS The Sullivans DD-537 is a National Historic Landmark and the first ship in the U.S. Navy to be named for more than one person. It is one of only four remaining examples from the Fletcher-class of destroyers in the world from World War II. USS Croaker SSK-246 is a World War II Gato-class submarine on the National Register of Historic Places. The PTF-17 is one of only 20 fast patrol boats from the Nasty-class to be built. It was used as a high-speed reconnaissance and patrol craft in Vietnam.

The Buffalo Naval & Military Park also features a beautifully manicured Monuments Garden, a Museum, and United States Military Exhibits that includes a P-39 Airacobra; UH-1 Huey Helicopter; Navy FJ-4B Fury Jet; M-41 Walker Bulldog Tank; F-101F Voodoo Jet, and much more.

This year, in honor of the 80th Anniversary of USS Croaker, we are raising money to preserve and maintain the submarine and to help plan for potential dry dock repairs. We can't think of a better birthday present for our World War II Gato-class submarine.

Our mission is to preserve the military artifacts entrusted to our care; honor veterans, active military, and military families; educate about the history and values of service and sacrifice in defense of freedom; and inspire a sense of patriotism and appreciation in protecting the right to liberty and justice for all. The many exhibits and artifacts featured at the Buffalo Naval & Military Park bring to life some of the major events in our nation’s history to defend freedom and democracy and honor those who have served.