Buffalo History Museum announces annual Red Jacket Awards recipients

The board of managers of The Buffalo History Museum has named community leader and philanthropist Mary Ann Kresse winner of its Red Jacket Award. The board will present the award at an annual dinner and ceremony at the museum Thursday, Oct. 2, at 6 p.m.

The Red Jacket Award is given annually "in recognition of quiet, continued, unbroken devotion to civic progress." Created in 1957 by the Buffalo History Museum, the award is based upon a medal presented in 1792 by President George Washington to the renowned Seneca orator and leader Red Jacket.

"The Buffalo History Museum is especially proud to honor outstanding WNY citizens with our esteemed Red Jacket Award. This year we honor Mary Ann Kresse, whose dedication is proven through her generosities of time, devotion and resources - leaving an indelible mark in the Western New York community," said Steven P. McCarville, president of the board of managers of The Buffalo History Museum.

During the ceremony, the board of managers will present two additional awards: Molly Quackenbush and Raymond Massey will receive the Owen B. Augspurger award, which recognizes local historians devoted to the preservation of local heritage; and the Martin Restoration Corp. will receive the Daniel B. Niederlander Award for outstanding programming as a Western New York historical organization.

The 2014 Red Jacket Awards dinner will be held at the museum, 1 Museum Court at Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo. Tickets are $150 per person or $275 per couple. Table packages and corporate sponsorship opportunities are available. For reservations and more information, call Alexis Greinert, development coordinator, at 716-873-9644, ext. 318.

The Buffalo History Museum has served, since its founding in 1862, to collect, research, interpret and share the Niagara Frontier's history. Its collections include more than 100,000 artifacts, 200,000 photographs, and 20,000 books. TBHM annually presents a wide array of programs, exhibits, tours, outdoor events and activities for all ages.