The Red Jacket, Daniel B. Niederlander, and Owen B. Augspurger Awards are presented to community leaders and organizations. Many community members regard the Red Jacket Award as the most prestigious honor in Western New York.  The original Red Jacket medal is one of the most treasured artifacts in Western New York and was repatriated to the Seneca Nation from the Museum in May of 2021. The Red Jacket medal was presented by President George Washington to Seneca Leader Red Jacket (Sagoyewatha) in 1792, the medal bears symbolic imagery of the peaceful coexistence between the United States and Native Americans.

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View the 2026 Red Jacket Awards Program

Established in 1957, the Red Jacket Award is presented by The Buffalo History Museum in recognition of “quiet, continued, unbroken devotion to our civic progress and needs by one who, through such devotion, has thereby enlarged our awareness of our heritage in order that it may be built upon for the enrichment of our future.”

The 2026 Red Jacket Award recipients are Alphonso O’Neil-White & Marcia O’Neil-White

Red Jacket Award Recipient List

Nominate an individual for the 2027 Red Jacket Award

Nominations close on 3/31/27 at 11:59pm

The Owen B. Augspurger Award was established in 1974 in honor of Owen B. Augspurger (1913-1969), a former History Museum president, and a Red Jacket awardee (1969). The award is presented to an individual for outstanding service to the cause of local history.

The 2026 Owen B. Augspurger Award recipient is Shane E. Stephenson.

Owen B. Augspurger Award Past Recipient

Nominate an individual for the 2027 Owen B. Augspurger 

Nominations close on 3/31/27 at 11:59pm

The Daniel B. Niederlander Award was established in 1975, in honor of Niederlander (1895-1964), a former History Museum president, businessman, and dedicated civic leader. The award is presented to a local education, cultural or heritage organization for outstanding programming.

The 2026 Daniel B. Niederlander Award recipient is OLV National Shrine & Basilica.

Daniel B. Niederlander Award Past Recipients

Nominate a local organization for the 2027 Daniel B. Niederlander Award

Nominations close on 3/31/27 at 11:59pm