Broadcasters--New York (State)--Buffalo--History.]]> Broadcasting--New York--Buffalo--History.]]> The Memory Keepers

(2021)

This feature presents the cornerstone project of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association (BBA). It lays out the goals and challenges in preserving and utilizing Buffalo’s archival TV news film and videotape dating back to the mid-1960s.

This piece is the most recent in a series of videos tracing the history of The Archive Project. 

 

“The Memory Keepers” was presented at the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame induction ceremony on November 4, 2021

(Runs: 7:12)

The Archive Project History 

(5 Parts: 2006 - 2011)

(Total running time: 22:49)

The history of The Archive Project is presented here by Rich Newberg in a series of five features. They document a period of awakening to the value of archival TV news footage, and show how painstaking efforts are underway to preserve the moving images that reflect more than a half century of life on the Buffalo-Niagara Frontier.

 

Rich Newberg is a founding member of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association and former Archive Task Force chairman for the BBA. 

His five video reports were presented during most of the BBA's Hall of Fame ceremonies between 2006 and 2011.] 

 

(Summary of Reports)

The Archive Project (2006)

Runs: 3:51

*Edison’s historic moving images of Buffalo are presented as well as a vision for The Archive Project 

*The first meeting with Buffalo television executives is documented

*Recommendations are given for saving Buffalo’s TV news film collection

 

The Archive Task Force (2008)

Runs: 4:00

*A task force is created to seek grants for digitization of TV news film in the BBA's possession

*University at Buffalo senior research scholar Michael Frisch signs on to create a system for categorizing and indexing digitized material

*Highlights of major Buffalo news stories from the 1960s and ’70s are referenced (civil rights riots, Blizzard of ’77, Love Canal, Attica uprising, Jack Kemp’s political rise to power)

 

The Journey Begins (2009)

Runs: 4:39

*First boxes of TV news film are itemized from the year 1966

*A vision is presented for a museum and resource center to house the collection

*First meeting is conducted with Buffalo area colleges and universities

*The BBA’s Archive Project is featured at a national conference of the Institute of Museum and Library Services held in Buffalo

*Conference presenter Dr. Michael Frisch calls Buffalo “one of the most important media centers in the country, of the evolution of television news.” He references Western New York natives Tim Russert, Wolf Blitzer, and political satirist Mark Russell

 

Buffalo Moments in Time (2010)

Runs: 3:52

*A database is created listing the slugs of all 15-hundred WIVB-TV (formerly WBEN-TV) news stories from the year 1966, the first full year of the BBA’s collection

*Scene Savers of Covington Kentucky sends representative John Walko to advise BBA leadership on how best to preserve and utilize the archival news film 

*Dr. Michael Frisch illustrates how his company, Randforce Associates, is able to catalogue and index all the digitized footage for easy access

*BBA president Dave Gillen says, “We’ve got all the pieces in place. We just need the money to do it.”

 

The Scene Savers (2011)

Runs: 6:00

*The step-by-step digitization process is documented by Scene Savers staffers working on the BBA’s Archive Project. 

*Mr. Newberg says future projects will range from documentaries, to classroom presentations, to museum exhibits

*The project seeks to complete the mission of the BBA to make Buffalo’s moving image history accessible to the public, “so that future generations will know their roots and will appreciate the contributions of Buffalo’s broadcasting pioneers.” 

 

Official Launching of The Archive Project (2019)

WIVB-TV Report

Runs: 3:24

On March 29, 2019, the Buffalo Broadcasters Association (BBA) officially launched The Archive Project. The BBA established written agreements with WIVB-TV (Nexstar/CBS) and WKBW-TV (Scripps/ABC) to digitize their news film and early videotape archives. The moving image archive will be  made available for educational use only.

 

Through BBA fundraisers, donations, and grants from the Western New York Library Resources Council, digitized news reports and clips dating back as early as the mid-1960s began being posted on the New York Heritage website. Postings will also appear on the BBA’s own website. 

 

This WIVB-TV news report by News 4 anchor Jacquie Walker shows viewers the scope of the project and why the initiative is a valued resource for Western New York and the nation.]

Official Launching of The Archive Project (2019)

WKBW-TV Report

Runs: 2:05

The BBA collection of archival Buffalo TV news film and video tape becomes the first of its kind on the New York Heritage website. Rich Newberg, one of the chief architects of the project, comments that the collection will document “huge stories, huge challenges that faced this community.”

He says the archive holds valuable lessons for “seeking better solutions in the future.” He adds, “It’s the journalists, the reporters and photographers, who basically gave their communities the first draft of history. And that’s why we think it’s so vital to bring this back.” 

Actor Ed Asner Endorses The Archive Project

(Recorded: September 20, 2019)

Runs: :60 sec.

Ed Asner, who played television’s legendary news director Lou Grant on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, endorsed the BBA’s Archive Project in a public service announcement. The endorsement was recorded while Mr. Asner was in Rochester, New York performing a one man show.

 

Asner endorsement: 

“Hello. I’m Ed Asner. You may remember me as television’s no-nonsense news director, Lou Grant. If you think about it, journalists provide us with our first draft of history. Right here in Buffalo, more than 50 years of TV news coverage is being brought back to life! Local stations are working with the Buffalo Broadcasters Association to bring back the stories that helped define the Niagara Frontier. It’s called The Archive Project, and I support it with all my heart! So should you.”]

]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Vetter, Tom (Producer, Editor)]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Buffalo (N.Y.)--History--Newspapers.]]>
This News 4 television special hosted by the late Bob Koop looks back on the reasons why the newspaper could no longer compete with The Buffalo News and the impact of the Courier’s folding on its former staff members and its readers.

Staff members of the Courier Express voted down the opportunity to work under Rupert Murdoch’s News America. It would have meant transitioning to a tabloid newspaper as well as staff cuts of between 30 and 40 percent. When the paper shut down, eleven hundred people were out of work. Buffalo’s depressed economy at the time made it difficult for many of those workers to find jobs. Some had to go on welfare.

The demise of the Courier Express followed the closings of other major newspapers throughout the country, including the Cleveland Press, which shut down three months earlier. It had been operating for 103 years.

The roots of The Courier Express date back to 1828 according to SUNY Buffalo State, which has possession of the Courier Express archives. As the E.H. Butler Library at Buffalo State points out, “From 1828 to 1926, twelve separate newspapers merged during those years, ending with the formation of the Buffalo Courier-Express…” Mark Twain once was a columnist for one of those papers, the Buffalo Morning Express.]]> Newberg, Rich (Reporter, Archivist)]]> Koop, Bob (Program Host)]]> Smith, Doug (Former Courier Express Entertainment Editor/News 4 “Fun Ranger")]]> Baker, Jim (Former Courier Express Radio-TV Critic)]]> Lapping, Ed (Veteran Newspaper Editor)]]> Jasen, Carol (WIVB-TV Reporter)]]> Newberg, Rich (WIVB-TV Reporter)]]> Sacks, Karen (Producer)]]> Vandivort, Dave (Director)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Artist)]]> Wigginton, Chris (Photographer, Editor)]]> Cantwell, Bill (Photographer)]]> Santana, Dave (Photographer)]]> Ayers, Don (Technical Staff)]]> Clemons, Mickey (Technical Staff)]]> Johnson, Len (Technical Staff)]]> Johnson, Rex (Technical Staff)]]> Kerner, Kathy (Technical Staff)]]> Novelli, John (Technical Staff)]]> Pels, Godon (Technical Staff)]]> Rozek, Dan (Technical Staff)]]> eng]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> James Montgomery Flagg]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Pan-American Exposition (1901 : Buffalo, N.Y.)]]> Pan-American Exposition--(1901:Buffalo, N.Y.) --Songs and music]]> Edwards, Estelle]]> Grosvenor Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Pan-American Exposition (1901 : Buffalo, N.Y.)]]> Pan-American Exposition--(1901:Buffalo, N.Y.) --Songs and music]]> Weiler, Harry J.]]> Grosvenor Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Pan-American Exposition (1901 : Buffalo, N.Y.)]]> Pan-American Exposition (1901 : Buffalo, N.Y.) -- Participation, Female.]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Pan-American Exposition (1901 : Buffalo, N.Y.)]]> Pan-American Exposition (1901 : Buffalo, N.Y.) -- Participation, Female.]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Pan-American Exposition (1901 : Buffalo, N.Y.)]]> Pan-American Exposition (1901 : Buffalo, N.Y.) -- Participation, Female.]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> John Paul II, Pope, 1920-2005]]> Popes--Biography]]> Catholic Church--History]]> Polish Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Mombrea Jr., Mike (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Musial, Chris (Producer)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Van Horn, Mike (Graphic Artist)]]> Mombrea, John (Digital Editor)]]> Baxter, Tim (Digital Editor, Post-production Editor)]]> Musial, Chris (Executive Producer)]]> Giovenco, Joe (Director)]]> Clemens, Michael (Technical Director)]]> Benzel, Gary (Audio Engineer)]]> Brown, Dave (Chyron Operator)]]> Foster, Joseph D. (Videotape Operator)]]> Masse, Dave (Master Control Operator)]]> Goldschlag, Dave (Contributing Photographer)]]> Ayers, Don (Louth System Operator)]]> eng]]> Theater programs -- New York (State) -- Buffalo.]]> One of Katharine Hepburn’s biggest hits was the romantic comedy, The Philadelphia Story.  The movie was based on a screenplay by Phillip Barry, who wrote the play specifically for Hepburn.  When the play opened in Buffalo in October 1940, prominent actor Joseph Cotten starred alongside Hepburn.

Hepburn has other local connections--her maternal grandparents lived here, and her mother, Kit, was born in Buffalo.]]> Erlanger Theatre (Buffalo, N.Y.)]]> Barry, Philip, 1896-1949]]> Hepburn, Katharine, 1907-2003]]> Heflin, Van, 1910-1971]]> Cotten, Joseph, 1905-1994]]> Joy, Nicholas, -1964]]> Lonergan, Lenore, 1928-1989]]> Sinclair, Robert B., 1905-1970]]> Theatre Guild]]> eng]]> Mid-Twentieth Century (1925-1975)]]> Concert programs -- New York (State) -- Buffalo.]]> Elmwood Music Hall (Buffalo, N.Y.)]]> Philharmonic Society of New York]]> Toscanini, Arturo, 1867-1957]]> Judson, Arthur, 1881-1975]]> Ervin, Edward]]> Buffalo Musical Foundation]]> De Forest, Marian, 1864-1935]]> Gilman, Lawrence, 1878-1939]]> eng]]> Mid-Twentieth Century (1925-1975)]]> United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783]]> Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801.]]> Grosvenor Room of B&ECPL (repository)/Rare Book Room of B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> United States. President (1861-1865 : Lincoln). Emancipation Proclamation.]]> Drake, Charles D. (Charles Daniel), 1811-1892.]]> Grosvenor Room of B&ECPL (repository)/Rare Book Room of B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt), 1868-1963]]> Talbert, Mary]]> Niagara Movement]]> African Americans--Civil rights--New York (State)--Buffalo--History]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo--History]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Hairston, Mylous (Producer, Writer, Reporter)]]> Ersing, Rich (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Mombrea, Mike, Jr. (Producer, Contributing Photographer, Editor)]]> Schlaerth, Joseph (Producer)]]> Musial, Chris (Executive Producer)]]> Swenson, Scott (Contributing Photographer)]]> Schrodt, Roy (Post-production Editor)]]> Mombrea, John (Post-production Editor)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Newberg, Rich (Researcher)]]> Hairston, Mylous (Researcher)]]> Ersing, Rich (Researcher)]]> Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Researcher)]]> Schlaerth, Joseph (Researcher)]]> Musial, Chris (Researcher)]]> eng]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Brangwyn, Frank]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Humanitarian aid workers--Afghanistan]]> Mercer, Heather]]> Taliban]]> Shelter Now (Organization)]]>
Heather Mercer and her friend and co-worker Dayna Curry, were American aid workers arrested in Afghanistan by the Taliban on August 3, 2001. They were part of the Antioch International Movement of Churches and employed by a German-based Christian aid organization called Shelter Now International.

Following their arrest, six other Western aid workers and sixteen co-workers from Afghanistan were taken into custody and charged with preaching Christianity, a crime potentially punishable by death under Taliban law.

The workers were initially held as prisoners in Kabul. When Northern Alliance forces took control of Kabul on November 13, 2001, the aid workers from Afghanistan were freed. The Western aid workers, however, were moved by the Taliban to a prison in Ghazni. There, anti-Taliban forces freed those prisoners as well. They were airlifted to safety in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Heather Mercer grew up in suburban Virginia, outside of Washington. Her parents were divorced. Heather's mother, Deborah Eddy from Lewiston, and her grandmother, Norma Anderson from Niagara Falls, worked tirelessly for Heather's release.

Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry were welcomed home by President Bush and invited to join him at the White House.
The president said, "They had a calling to serve the poorest of the poor." Heather commented, "We know we're here because of the prayers of people all over the country, all over the world!"]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Hill, Ahmir (Graphic artist)]]> eng]]>