Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Through one reporter's eyes, you'll see stories that made history in Buffalo Monday night as Rich Newberg hosts "The Buffalo Story: History Happens Here".
Newberg covered stories ranging from Love Canal, to civil rights, to the Buffalo Bills' four Super Bowl trips. "We're in for some local Buffalo history, and it's kind of a living history because it's drawn from the archives of Channel 4," says Newberg.
Newberg says Channel 4 has a definitive archive of the African-American experience in Buffalo dating back to the Underground Railroad.
"We did a piece at School 61, the Arthur O. Eve School of Distinction, to top off the segment. Mr. Eve spoke to fourth graders and the beauty of it was is these kids learn the history of Arthur Eve through videos before he showed up, and knew he was when he showed up," says Newberg. Eve told Newberg he saw hope when he looked into the kids' faces.
Newberg's special will also focus on Love Canal.
"I was lucky enough to obtain footage of Lois Gibbs and Michael Brown, who was a rookie reporter who went door to door to find out what made people sick and broke the story," says Newberg. He says he'll revisit Jane Fonda's visit as well as President Jimmy Carter's visit. "Love Canal is an American story where grass roots efforts can move government into action and improve the lives of those who were affected by toxic waste," adds Newberg.
Newberg adds the special will also focus on the Bills' four Super Bowl appearances and pay tribute to longtime Bills and WBEN sportscaster Van Miller.
Newberg says this was a labor of love. "The Buffalo Broadcasters Association's primary mission is to preserve the moving image history of Buffalo. It's an expensive process and I address that in this hour special," says Newberg.
"The broadcasters need the help and support of the community because it's our history, and you watch it and see it unfold on the screen." He says film and video tape need to be preserved digitally. "We have the film from Channels 4, 7, and 2. Channel 7 and Channel 4 have signed on to allow us to digitize the film and early video tape, and we need to save them, bring back our history."
The special airs tonight at 8pm on Channel 4.
