Buffalo History Museum announces Tim Russert exhibit grand opening

Tim Russert's iconic legacy comes home to Buffalo

The Buffalo History Museum has announced the grand opening of "Inside Tim Russert's Office: If it's Sunday, it's 'Meet the Press' " on "M&T Third Friday," Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. Congressional correspondent for NBC News, Luke Russert, Tim's son, will be in attendance and the opening's honored guest.

"On behalf of The Buffalo History Museum board of managers, I extend an enthusiastic 'Thank you' to the Russert family, Congressman Brian Higgins, Executive Director Melissa Brown and staff for realizing this extraordinary gift to the community," said History Museum board of managers president Steven P. McCarville. "In keeping with the museum's mission and promise to its patrons, this exhibit marks our endeavors to cultivate, share and safeguard our community's rich history."

Earlier this year, Higgins and History Museum Executive Director Brown announced plans to relocate the "Inside Tim Russert's Office: If it's Sunday, it's 'Meet the Press' " exhibit from the Newseum in Washington, D.C., to The Buffalo History Museum in Western New York.

In 2009, Newseum, a museum dedicated to journalism, opened the exhibit, which featured artifacts from Russert's NBC office. Russert's connection to Buffalo and family was evident in the keepsakes, children's drawings, and Buffalo Bills memorabilia he kept in his work place.

Luke Russert requested The Buffalo History Museum expand the Newseum-curated exhibit to reflect Russert's Buffalo upbringing. Ancillary stories related to Russert's life-defining moments and pivotal twists in his career - like how the Blizzard of '77 gave the nation Tim Russert - became part of the exhibit extended narrative.

This event is free to attend. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. A cocktail reception with live music begins at 6:30 p.m. The Buffalo History Museum is located at One Museum Court (at Elmwood Avenue and Nottingham Terrace), Buffalo.

M&T Bank sponsors "M&T Third Friday." For more information on this event, call 716-873-9644, ext. 0, email [email protected]or visit www.buffalohistory.org.

Born in Buffalo in 1950, Tim Russert died suddenly in 2008 at just 58 years old. He was survived by his wife, Maureen Orth, and by Luke. 

Tim Russert is best known as the moderator for NBC's "Meet the Press." In his 17 years as host, he interviewed the world's most influential people - ranging from the pope to presidents - and helped to carry the show to its rank as Sunday's most-watched news program. 

Before beginning his career in journalism, Tim Russert served as chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan and as counsel to Gov. Mario Cuomo. His best-selling autobiography, "Big Russ and Me," shares the story of his South Buffalo roots and family, including his close relationship with his father.

Russert's work with NBC began long before his time with "Meet the Press." He served as senior vice president of Washington operations and Washington bureau chief. In 2003, he was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Since its founding in 1862, The Buffalo History Museum has served to collect, research, interpret and share the Niagara Frontier's rich history. Its collections include more than 100,000 artifacts, 200,000 photographs and 20,000 books.