Spring 2014 - The Buffalo History Museum

No need for magical beans and
winding stalks to encounter
GIANTS. One need go no
further than The Buffalo History
Museum to meet giants in 2014.
Melissa Brown
Constance Caldwell
Jennifer LaBella
Robie Carmina, Rebecca Justinger, Tara Lyons,
Kimberly Luangpakdy, Cynthia Van Ness
Closed Mondays.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday - 12:00 Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday - Saturday
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
Members: FREE
Children Under 7: FREE
Veterans: FREE
Children (7-12): $2.50
Adults: $7 Students & Seniors : $5
Steven McCarville - President
Peter Ahrens - Vice President
Alisa A. Lukasiewicz - Vice President
Mark L. Martin- Vice President
Heidi A. Raphael - Vice President
Mark V. Taylor- Vice President
Catherine Schweitzer - Secretary
Philip C. Kadet - Treasurer
Scott Fisher
Cassie Irish
William J. O'Donnell
Ken Friedman
Allan Jamieson
Kristin Saperston
Carley Jean Hill
Cheryl Lyles
Mark Severson
John L. Hurley, Jr.
Vincent Mancuso
Greg D. Tranter
Cover: Irv Weinstein, Rick Azar, Tom Jolls, Tim Russert, Lou Micheal,
Dan J. Herbeck, and Tim Horton.
The Buffalo History Museum is a private not-for-profit organization tax exempt
under Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It receives operating
support from the County of Erie, the City of Buffalo, the New York State
Council on the Arts (NYSCA, a state
agency), and from members and friends.
The Buffalo History Museum is accredited
by the American Alliance of Museums.
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No fairy tales here; we’re
delighted to share the history
of those who have made giant
contributions in their industry.
In March, we kick off the series GIANTS OF BUFFALO with local
television GIANTS: Irv Weinstein, Rick Azar, and Tom Jolls. Many
may still recall the Channel 7 News team that began their work around
the Golden Age of television (As a gal who enjoyed many mornings
with Commander Tom, I’m pretty excited to meet him in person.)
In April, Journalist GIANTS, Lou Michel and Dan Herbeck, will
share the real deal stories of their incredible journey as Buffalo
News reporters and authors of the NY Times bestseller, “An
American Terrorist.” This is a terrific opportunity for WNYers to
hear their firsthand views on what (and why) they write.
And, then, coming this fall … GIANT, Tim Russert!
TBHM will honor Mr. Russert’s extraordinary legacy. Many thanks
to Congressman Brian Higgins, Mr. Russert’s cherished son and
wife, Luke Russert and Maureen Orth, and the Newseum for
bringing "Inside Tim Russert’s Office" toWestern New York.
In June, a team from The Buffalo History Museum will travel to
Washington DC to dismantle, pack, and safely transport this
unique office space to Buffalo. We anticipate opening the exhibit,
"Inside Tim Russert’s Office," this fall.
Right now, we work to develop an enhanced story of Mr Russert’s
hometown roots_ whether it’s Holy Family Church, Canisius High
School, the American Legion Post 721 or South Buffalove, we know
we can count on you, our valued members and supporters, to help.
Working in the business of history, we face the challenges of
capturing today’s story in the digital age; evidence of our time
extinguished forever with the stroke of the delete key. Our M &
T Bank sponsored GIANTS series serves as a rousing reminderit doesn’t take a span of a hundred years to make history. History
loves both the stories of ordinary and extraordinary. TBHM’s 2014
is filled these stories and we look forward to experiencing them with
you. I’m also pleased to announce TBHM’s Board of Managers
elected a new president, Steven McCarville. Steve’s loyal service
to the Board for many years makes for a perfect progression.
We hope you enjoy the GIANT news and will join us by
becoming a member, if you haven’t already!
All my best,
Melissa
P.S. Curious to learn more about our team dynamic? The staff’s new
blog shares everything from plans in progress to adventures behindthe-scenes. The staff endeavors to bring quality programming and
memorable experiences to each of our guests.
COMING IN THE FALL OF 2014...
After more than four years on display at the Newseum
in Washington, D.C. the contents of the office of
the late NBC newsman Tim Russert are moving to
his hometown of Buffalo, NY. “Inside Tim Russert’s
Office” opens this fall at The Buffalo History Museum.
Photo courtesy of Newseum
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Accommodations for Giants of Buffalo:
Irv Rick and Tom provided by:
Rebecca Justinger
Registrar
C.L. Sholes, an American mechanical engineer, along with his
colleagues Carlos Glidden and Samuel Soule, invented the
first practical typewriting machine in 1866. After many years of
alterations, experiments, and patent applications, the Sholes &
Glidden typewriter, here, was first manufactured in 1873. This
was a drastically improved model from their first attempts and,
in many ways, is similar to today’s typewriters. Sholes sold the
rights to Densmore, who in turn approached Philo Remington,
the maker of Remington rifles, to help produce and market the
new device. The first “Sholes & Glidden Type Writer” was
offered for sale to the public in 1874, but was not a commercial
success until several years later when some improvements to
the keyboard were made by the Remington engineers. This
particular typewriter was sent by Sholes to Julius H. Dawes of
Buffalo. It is a handmade prototype, one of only five created
and the last known to exist. It was used in Dawes’ law office for
17 years before being donated toThe Buffalo History Museum.
An important aspect of Sholes’ invention, one that is still with
us today, is the creation of the QWERTY keyboard. So named
because of the first 6 letters on the top left of the keyboard, the
design was so important to the creation of the typewriter that it
was included in Sholes’ patent applications. The placement of
Typewriter, Manual
Sholes & Glidden
1873-1880
the keys was a specific choice on Sholes’ part so as not to jam
the moving parts of his machine. In his very first model, Sholes
placed the keys in two rows, in alphabetical order. The result was
sluggish and the machine often halted whenever someone tried
to use it. The early letters were placed on the ends of rods called
‘typebars.’ If two adjacent typebars were used in succession,
they would clash with each other. So Sholes separated the most
common letter pairs and made sure that their typebars were not
next to each other, then the type writer was much less likely to
jam. The QWERTY keyboard was the result of this design and
has been with us ever since.
Now through
May 25, 2014
Uniquely Buffalo Gifts for
the sports fan in your life
Members receive 10%
discount on many items.
Evening Shopping Hours
on Wednesday until 8 p.m.
Featuring significant historic moments,
game jerseys and more!
All of the items in the exhibit are on loan from
The Buffalo Hockey Experience and Museum.
1. What inspired you to
become a collector? Do
you remember the
story behind your first
Sabres item?
I first started collecting
hockey cards with my
brother and cousins.
When I began going to
Sabres games I began
collecting ticket stubs because I loved all the colors. My
dad would buy me a program and a souvenir from every
game we would go to, I just added them to the cards
and watched the collection grow. One of the first items I
remember is a Sabres belt and winter pom-pom hat that I
wore to every game.
2. Tell us about your organization, The Buffalo Hockey
Experience & Museum.
The Buffalo Hockey Experience and Museum (BHE+M)
is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the
history of professional hockey in Buffalo, New York and
Southern Ontario. The BHE+M has been fortunate to
display portions of its permanent collection to celebrate
the 1st Anniversary of New Era Hat Company, the Buffalo
Sabres 40th Anniversary and the Sabres 2011-12 season.
3. In your collection, you have many premier artifacts from
the team and its founders. Which do you believe is the
most historically significant and why?
This is a difficult question because I also collect Memorial
Auditorium memorabilia and feel some of the most
significant pieces come from that collection. As far as the
Sabres collection, the last jersey worn by Tim Horton at
the Auditorium., a 2-1 victory vs the Detroit Red Wings on
February 17, 1974 is the most significant. The last uniform,
worn by one the legends of the game is always significant,
especially after his tragic death.
4. What would you consider to be the “Holy Grail” of
Sabres artifacts? Do you know if it still exists?
The "Holy Grail" would have to be a #17 Floyd Smith game jersey
from the 1970-71 season. In all my years of collecting I have never
heard that one exists. The BHE+M would love to acquire this
uniform to complete our collection of Captain's jerseys.
5. If visitors to the exhibit came away with only one memory or
one story learned, what would you hope for it to be?
An appreciation for the dedication of the Knox family in
bringing NHL hockey to the Niagara Frontier and the impact
of the intense "love affair" between the fans and the team.
6. The Buffalo History Museum’s exhibits address a broad range
of topics. In what ways do you feel Forging a Connection will
complement the Museum and the many stories told here?
The Buffalo Sabres have become part of the fabric of
Western New York, “Forging a Connection” will bring the
early years of the franchise to life for fans from all generations.
It will give fans of all ages the opportunity to relive wonderful
memories and pass on the history of the team to younger fans.
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1
3
Photos by Nancy Cardillo.
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1. Congressman Brian Higgins, TBHM
Board President Steve McCarville,
and TBHM Executive Director
Melissa Brown.
2. Congressman Brian Higgins laughing
with Constance Caldwell, Director
of Communications & Community
Engagement.
3. Irish Volunteers Band
4. War of 1812 re-enactors.
5.Mary Talbert (Mary Craig)
with Noah.
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10
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6. Sabretooth hanging out with a fan.
7. Erastus Granger (Tom Shobert)
chatting in the Pioneer Gallery.
8. Millard Fillmore (Peter Wolfe) sharing
some history in the Street of Shops.
9. Dr. Joseph Gambacorta and George
Pierce (Billy McEwen)shaking hands
in Buffalo Made.
10. Red Jacket (Al Parker) admiring
his medal in the Native American
Gallery.
11. Collection Director, Walt Mayer
gives a tour to students.
12. Program Manager, Tara Lyons
reading during Toddler Story Time
13. Tara Lyons, Alexis Greinert,
& Melissa Brown hang some
holiday lights.
14. Menkuare Griffin and Debra
Johnson at MLK celebration.
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Cynthia Van Ness, MLS
Director of Library & Archives
October 3, 2011 went uncelebrated as a major anniversary
in Buffalo’s history. Two hundred years earlier, Buffalo’s first
newspaper, the Buffalo Gazette, began publishing on October
3, 1811. An annual subscription cost $2.50, equal to about $44 in
today’s dollars.
last time the Gazette was published before the press was moved
for safety to Harris Hill in Clarence. The Salisbury brothers had
assessed the risk correctly, for the British burned Buffalo to the
ground on December 30, 1813. No reporters were at the scene;
residents supplied eyewitness accounts, sometimes long after the
event. The next issue of the Gazette appeared on January 18, 1814.
It did not return to Buffalo until April 1814.
The Research Library has the Buffalo Gazette on
microfilm, plus it owns a set of very fragile bound
volumes of original issues starting in December
1812. The Gazette underwent a series of name
changes (Niagara Patriot, Buffalo Patriot, Buffalo
Patriot & Commercial Advertiser), ending its
long journalism tenure in December 1924 as the
Buffalo Commercial Advertiser. We have all
The first page of the issue of the Gazette devoted
surviving
issues of these newspapers on microfilm.
several column inches to listing books and Buffalo Gazette, 1812, from the collection
of
the
Buffalo
History
Museum
pamphlets available for sale at the Buffalo Book
In 1812, the Salisbury press also published Buffalo’s
Store and featured an excerpt from the Manual
first book, the French Convert, an anti-Catholic novel that had
of the State of New York. Back then, “news” was what happened been popular in Europe for almost a century. The Research Library
in the outside world, information that was in high demand in owns the sole surviving copy in Buffalo. The Salisbury press next
isolated frontier villages. What happened here was already known published speeches by Red Jacket and Erastus Granger on the role
to Buffalo’s small population (1508 in the 1810 census). Local of Indians in the War of 1812.
coverage was sometimes sparse in these early newspapers.
To see the Buffalo Gazette and the French Convert, visit the
War of 1812 researchers will be disappointed by the Gazette’s Research Library during our public service hours, Wednesdays
lack of coverage of the Burning of Buffalo. Dec. 14, 1812, was the through Saturdays, 1-5 pm. No appointments are necessary.
The Buffalo Gazette was founded by the Salisbury
brothers, Hezekiah A. Salisbury (1789-1856) and
Smith H. Salisbury (ca. 1783-1832). Because of
the difficulty of securing reliable supplies of paper,
publication was irregular. The first paper mill west of
the Genesee River did not open until 1817 in Batavia.
Speaker Series
An in depth conversation with legendary personalities.
March 21st: Television
Featuring legendary WKBW Channel 7 news team:
Irv Weinstein, Rick Azar and Tom Jolls.
April 18th: journalism
Featuring The Buffalo News writers and
co-authors of the NY Times best seller, “American
Terrorist,” Lou Michel and Dan J. Herbeck.
6:00 p.m. • Cocktail reception, cash bar
7:00 p.m. • Seating for program
Tickets can be purchased by calling:
716.873.9644 ext. 301
or through our website: buffalohistory.org
Cost for Program:
$10 Members • $20 General • $35 VIP
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Gift the history buff in your life something special – Adopt an Artifact of The Buffalo History Museum! All artifact “guardians” receive adoption papers,
a photograph of the artifact, and the story of the artifact’s historical impact on Western New York.
Among our treasure trove of Western New York artifacts, we care for many significant items in the fields of media and journalism.
Media objects up for adoption include:
• The QWERTY Keyboard, as seen on page 3 of The Album
• A Courier Express wooden wagon. Text on the side of the wagon reads,
‘Read the Courier Express – morning and Sunday’
• “Big Ben,” a camera used by The Buffalo News photographer Cornelius
Kennedy, which photographed panoramic shots at sporting events and • One of the earliest forms of media: a pen and inkwell of Millard Filmore’s, founder
public gatherings
of The Buffalo History Museum & 13th president of the United States
• A linotype printing press from the Arcata Graphics Company, acquired by • Our Research Library possesses nearly 2,000 prints and negatives of
The Buffalo History Museum in 1982
Wilber H. Porterfield’s photographs from his time at the Courier Express.
• A Burns Typewriter, manufactured by The Burns Typewriter Co. in
1894- 1895 in Buffalo
Name
š My adoption is a gift.
Address
Please send adoption papers to:
City
State
Zip
Address
Email
City
Phone Number
Payment Method š Mastercard š Visa
š Check Enclosed (payable to The Buffalo History Museum)
Artifact* (please indicate)
Adoption Level š $25
š $50
š $100
Call for level details: 873-9644 ext. 318
š $250
State
Zip
Name (as it appears on card)
Card #
Zip Code
Exp. Date
Signature
*No ownership rights are conferred by this adoption. All artifacts will remain in safekeeping under the expert care of The Buffalo History Museum. Your tax deductible
contribution will benefit our Annual Fund, helping the museum preserve and collect the stories and artifacts of Western New York.
2 Sunday
Something Old, Something New: “Always a Bridesmaid…” 3-6p.m.
$15 member; $20 general. Pop up bridal exhibit, curator tours, cash
bar, complimentary champagne and hors d’oeuvre reception, and
special auction items. Emceed by Eileen Buckley.
4 Tuesday
Toddler Story Time: Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 10-11a.m.
Museum admission; members free. Storytelling, craft, museum mini tour.
5 Wednesday
Lecture with the Archeological Institute of America “Celts and
La Tene Culture - A View from the Periphery,” 6:30p.m.
Free. Speaker Hrvoje Potrebica is a professor at the University
of Zagreb and is president of the Croatian Archaeological
Association. This is collaborative lecture with UB.
12 Wednesday
1 Tuesday
Toddler Story Time: Think Spring! 10-11a.m.
Museum admission; members free. Storytelling, craft, museum mini tour.
9 Wednesday
Lecture with the Archeological Institute of America,
“They Died with Their Boots On: The Roman Hobnail Burials
at Gordion (Turkey),”6:30p.m.
Free. Speaker, Dr. Andrew Goldman is an Associate Professor of
History at Gonzaga University. This is a collaborative lecture with UB.
12 Saturday
Hotel Lafayette Tour & Lunch, Noon
$35 general; $30 members. Limited to 40 people. Pre-registration
required. Meet at the main lobby of the historic Hotel @ the
Lafayette for a guided tour of the building giving insight to the first
American female architect, Louise Bethune. Lunch at the Pan
American Brewery is included.
War of 1812 lecture “The World Turned Upside Down,” 6p.m.
Museum admission; members free. Speaker Raya Lee, reference
librarian at Medaille College, will discuss inventions from the War
of 1812 period. This is a collaborative lecture with the Blackrock
Riverside Good Neighbors Planning Alliance & Historic
Preservation Committee.
“The Best Planned City in the World: Olmsted, Vaux, and the
Buffalo Park System,” lecture with Dr. Frank Kowsky, 6p.m.
Museum admission; members free. Dr. Kowsky will discuss his
publication, which illuminates this remarkable constellation of projects.
15 Saturday
18 Friday
Hotel Lafayette Tour & Lunch, Noon
$35 general; $30 members. Limited to 40 people. Pre-registration
required. Meet at the main lobby of the historic Hotel @ the
Lafayette for a guided tour of the building giving insight to the first
American female architect, Louise Bethune. Lunch at the
Pan American Brewery is included.
19 Wednesday
“Scajaquada Creek: Past Present & Into the Future,”
Panel Discussion, 6p.m.
Free. Wine and cheese reception begins at 5p.m. Program begins
at 6p.m. This panel discussion focuses on the current Community
Gallery exhibit “Scajaquada Creek: Photos from the Black Rock
Historic Photo Project,” which captures the physical and historical
breadth of the waterway.
21 Friday
*M&T Third Fridays: Giants of Buffalo: Television
honoring Irv Weinstein, Tom Jolls, & Rick Azar, 6p.m.
Members $10; $20 general. Cash bar and complimentary
hors d’oeuvres begin at 6pm. Seating and program begin at 7pm in
the museum auditorium. Join us in honoring the legacy of
Buffalo’s most famous local news broadcasters.
Media Sponsor: WKBW Channel 7.
Docent Training Dates:
Wednesday, March 5, 12, 19, and 26. All from 6-8pm.
Please contact the education department at
873-9644 ex: 304 to request an application
and to arrange an interview.
16 Wednesday
*M&T Third Fridays: Giants of Buffalo: Journalists
honoring Lou Michel & Dan J. Herbeck, 6p.m.
Members $10; $20 general; $35 VIP. (limited number available)
Doors open at 6pm with cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.
Program begins at 7pm in the museum auditorium. The program will
honor Buffalo News award winning writers and co-authors of the NY
Times best seller, “American Terrorist." Media Sponsor: WBBZ-TV.
23 Wednesday
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony, 6:30p.m.
Museum admission; members free. In honor of the 2014 Buffalo Cherry
Blossom Festival, an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony will be led by
Atsuko Nishida-Mitchell in the museum auditorium. A brief discussion and
Q & A about the ancient tradition will take place after the ceremony.
26 Saturday
“The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration,”
lecture and book signing with Ann McClellan, 12:30p.m.
Official proclamation for Cherry Blossom Festival, Noon
Museum admission; members free. Washington D.C. based author
Ann McClellan will discuss her publication based on the long
standing Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. and draw
parallels to Buffalo’s inaugural celebration.
30 Wednesday
War of 1812 lecture, “A Case of Criminal Neglect:
The Fall of Fort Niagara,” 6p.m.
Museum admission; members free. Speaker Robert Emerson,
Executive Director of Old Fort Niagara, will discuss the story of the
British assault on Fort Niagara before dawn on December 19, 1813.
This is a collaborative lecture with the Blackrock Riverside Good
Neighbors Planning Alliance & Historic Preservation Committee.
3 Saturday
Film screening for the 2014 Cherry Blossom Fest
FREE. 10:30a.m., “Dream Window: Reflection on the Japanese
Gardens” A Smithsonian documentary focused on the most
aesthetically beautiful gardens in the world. Discover how these visual
wonderlands have served as retreats for people looking to rediscover
the natural world, and themselves, for over a thousand years.
Noon, “Cherry Blossoms” An elderly husband suffering from a
terminal illness appreciates his wife in a new way after she dies
during a trip to visit family in Berlin. This film has themes of
grief, loss and also humor.
4 Sunday
Cherry Blossom Family Day, 1-4p.m.
Members free; Adults accompanying children free; $5/child general
Cherry blossom inspired crafts, museum tours, artifact scavenger
hunts, live performers, and MORE!
6 Tuesday
Toddler Story Time: May Flowers! 10-11a.m.
Museum admission; members free. Storytelling, craft, museum mini tour.
7 Wednesday
Food Truck Rodeo, 5-8:30p.m.,
Free admission to the museum! 5-8p.m.
14 Wednesday
War of 1812 lecture, “The Trial of Betsy Doyle,” 6p.m.
Museum admission; members free. Speaker Catherine Emerson,
Niagara County Historian, will discuss Betsy Doyle a true heroine of the
War of 1812. This is a collaborative lecture with the Blackrock Riverside
Good Neighbors Planning Alliance & Historic Preservation Committee.
16 Friday
*M&T Third Fridays: Pan Am Family Day, 5-8p.m.
Free. Visitors of all ages can learn about the historic Pan American
Exposition at the History Museum’s Resource Center located at
459 Forest Ave. Live actors, exhibit tours, hands on activities, and
horse drawn carriage rides will be available.
21 Wednesday
Film and Lecture “The Hotel Lafayette:
Restoring Louise Bethune’s Masterpiece” 6p.m.
Members free; museum admission. Buffalo’s award winning
documentary maker, Jackie Albarella followed the restoration
process of the Hotel Lafayette since its beginning and has captured
every minute detail. This program showcases Albarella’s on-site
filming, interviews with craftspeople and historical research.
31 Saturday
Hotel Lafayette Tour & Lunch, Noon
$35 general; $30 members. Limited to 40 people. Pre-registration
required. Meet at the main lobby of the historic Hotel @ the
Lafayette for a guided tour of the building giving insight to the first
American female architect, Louise Bethune. Lunch at the Pan
American Brewery is included.
*M&T THIRD FRIDAYs event
On the third Friday of every month, admission to the
Buffalo History Museum, Resource Center, and select
events are free for everyone from 10 a.m. – 5p.m.
Dates and times subject to change
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by:
Evening Hours on Wednesday until 8 p.m. • Free Parking
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