Long Ago Buffalo: Jell-O Gallery

Buffalo and Western New York was once a major hub of travel and tourism and continue to be a major city of interest. Of course, as we look to the future, we can't forget the past.

The area is steeped in a rich tapestry of history and with our "Long Ago Buffalo" series brought to you by WNY Heritage Magazine, we will take you back to look at all the Western New York had to offer.

This week we traveled to LeRoy, New York to check out the National Jell-O Gallery

Many people don't know but one of the most famous desserts ever created was developed about 35 minutes east of Buffalo in LeRoy, New York.

While gelatine treats were around since the early 1800s it wasn't until 1879 that a carpenter in LeRoy discovered a way to add flavor to powdered gelatin.

Pearle Bixby Wait and his wife May added flavors like strawberry, orange, lemon, and raspberry and named their creation Jell-O. The Jell part comes from the jelly-like product while the O part was simply used because many products at that time use it!

While Jell-O is no longer made in LeRoy, the history of the tasty treat is celebrated at the National Jell-O Gallery which opened in 1997 in the old LeRoy High School.

Dave Fields had a chance to tour the Gallery. Check out the video to learn more about Jell-o and the Gallery.