The Red Jacket, The Daniel B. Niederlander, and The 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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The Red Jacket Award
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 2025 Red Jacket Award recipient is Dr. Lillian S. Williams.
Dr. Lillian S. Williams, Professor in the Department of Africana & American Studies and former director of Community Engagement at the University at Buffalo, will receive the Museum’s highest honor, the Red Jacket Award, in recognition of her decades-long commitment to preserving and celebrating the history of Buffalo’s Black community. Established in 1957, The Red Jacket Award is 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.”
Dr. Williams founded the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier, Inc. over 50 years ago and has maintained active participation in the organization, contributing to its sustainability and relevancy. She has partnered with the Buffalo History Museum, the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission, and other institutions to educate constituents and promote equity, inclusion, and diversity. Recent projects include the popular lecture series “Eyes on the Corridor, ” which highlights African American history on the East Side of Buffalo. Her groundbreaking research on Mary Talbert and other luminaries has led to local and national recognition, including the installation of monuments and historic markers across New York State and beyond.
The Owen B. Augspurger Award
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 2025 Owen B. Augspurger Award recipient is Dawne Hoeg.
Dawne Hoeg is the founder and executive director of Stitch Buffalo. Ms. Hoeg leads the local textile art center committed to empowering refugee and immigrant women through the creation and sales of handcrafted goods. By inspiring creativity, building community, and stewarding the environment through the re-use of textiles, she is weaving together a rich tapestry that exemplifies the best of Buffalo, while carrying the tradition of handcrafts forward.
Through the Refugee Women’s Workshop, Stitch Buffalo’s first major program, Ms. Hoeg has created a place for those settling in Buffalo to find a sense of belonging, an income source for their families, and a place where women can stitch, embroider or weave products reflective of their culture. The 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 Daniel B. Niederlander Award
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 2025 Daniel B. Niederlander Award recipient is The Tonawanda Reservation Historical Society.
The Tonawanda Reservation Historical Society will receive the Daniel B. Niederlander Award, presented annually to a local education, cultural, or heritage organization for outstanding programming and service to the community. Named in honor of former Buffalo History Museum president and civic leader Daniel B. Niederlander (1895–1964), the award recognizes exceptional contributions to the preservation and promotion of local history.
Rooted in a deep commitment to their community, the volunteer-led Tonawanda Reservation Historical Society preserves and shares the history of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation through thoughtful public programming, exhibitions, and outreach. Their work ensures that stories, artifacts, and cultural knowledge are passed down to future generations and made accessible to the broader public—enriching Western New York’s understanding of Seneca history and heritage.
