Old Fort Niagara Free Reenactment Workshop

During Old Fort Niagara's many summer events, staff are frequently asked by visitors and community members how a person gets involved in living history programs and reenacting. To answer this question and provide assistance in getting started, the Fort will host a special free seminar on Saturday, January 16 from 10:30 am until 3:00 pm in the Old Fort Niagara Visitor Center.


In addition to covering the basics of how to find and join a unit, do research, and locate suppliers, we will host representatives of several regional reenactment groups who portray a variety of time periods. Seminar participants will be able to discuss their interests with unit representatives and ask questions about getting involved in an educational and rewarding hobby.

The program is free, but the Fort will provide lunch at a cost of $8.00 per person (please call the Fort at (716) 745-7611 for lunch reservations). The morning session will cover the basics of historical reenacting and the afternoon session will allow participants to talk one-on-one with regional reenactment unit representatives.

Historical reenactment has become a popular leisure pursuit throughout North America. Each weekend, thousands of volunteers don historic costume and camp out at historic sites throughout the United States and Canada. Some reenact historic battles while others demonstrate period skills and learn about the past by reliving the experiences of their ancestors. In 2009 over 3,000 reenactors presented programs at Old Fort Niagara

For more information, contact the Jason Buckley at the Fort at (716) 745-7611. Old Fort Niagara is located in Youngstown, NY 14 miles north of Niagara Falls via the Robert Moses Parkway North. The fort opens at 9:00 am daily year 'round, and is open until 5:00 pm during the winter months. Admissions end at 4:30 pm. The Fort is closed December 25th and January 1st.

Old Fort Niagara is a National Landmark and State Historic Site operated by the Old Fort Niagara Association (a not-for-profit organization) in cooperation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.

Holiday Events in Buffalo

Last week a book signing was held inside the Council Chambers at Buffalo City Hall. Daniel Steele, author of Buffalo: Architecture in the American Forgotten Land and a frequent contributor to Buffalo Rising, spoke about his project. He was joined by Author Richard Reisem and Photographer Andy Olenick, creators of several well-received photography books of New York State.



Also last week, Preservation Buffalo Niagara held its first Patrons Party at the Coit House last week. Guests enjoyed an excellent reception and a look inside the oldest house in Buffalo.



Wint Aldrich, the New York State Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation, was our special guest for the evening.

Be sure to check out our many holiday tours between Christmas and New Year's Day!

Buffalo Featured in USA Today

Read the article here.

Members of Preservation Buffalo Niagara, including board members Harvey Garrett and Catherine Schweitzer, are quoted in the article.

Protest to Save the Buffalo Olmsted Parks

In dismal weather, a crowd of people including several Preservation Buffalo Niagara board members and other members, joined Sunday's demonstration in MLK Park.

Spotlight on Buffalo: Olmsted Parks Conservancy

Read the latest Buffalo News editorial on park service negotiations.
Buffalo Olmsted Parks website

Dr. V. Roger Lalli's Book Signing

Old Editions Bookshop & Trocaire College are pleased to announce that, on DECEMBER 9th, 2009, a book signing featuring Dr. V. Roger Lalli's BUFFALO: MY CITY at Old Editions (located at 74 East Huron Street). Dr. Lalli will be available to sign books from 5 to 7pm and will also be available to discuss his work. This is a great opportunity to own an extraordinary book of BUFFALO art by one of the most talented artists to ever come out of the Queen City.

Sunday in the Cemetery

Forest Lawn Adds Winter Series to Sunday in the Cemetery Programs

Forest Lawn Cemetery has just announced the addition of a winter concert and lecture series as a part of its 13 years of successful Sunday in the Cemetery tours. Taking place at 2:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of the Month from January through April in Forest Lawn's historic Chapel, the series will be as follows:

January 10
The History of Music in Buffalo

Presenter: Raya Lee, retired Music Department Librarian of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

Organist Bruce Woody, talented and animated Organist and Choir Director Corpus Christi Church, Buffalo, NY

February 14
The Entertainers and Writers of Forest Lawn

Presenter: Forest Lawn Researcher, Patrick Kavanaugh

Musical presentation: Romantic tunes performed by renowned Buffalo musicians, Billy Mc Ewen and Joe Head

March 14 Review of The Larkin Soap Company – A Man and His Products

Presenter: Jerry Puma – Larkin Enthusiast

Musical presentation: The Decenko Brothers performing a duet of Irish tunes

April 11
Smokestacks & Skyscrapers: A Lighthearted History of Buffalo

Presenter: Author of Buffalo Gal, Laura Pederson

Musical presentation: Villa Maria Music Department Student

Joseph P. Dispenza, Forest Lawn President commented: "Over the years, there has been so much enthusiasm for our summer tours, we began to receive requests for different but related programs during the winter. Our historic chapel is acoustically magnificent with its vaulted ceilings and flagstone floors, and it seats up to 150 guests. That makes it the perfect place for lectures as well as musical performances. We've decided to keep the tickets reasonably priced at $15, but people can save $8.00 buy purchasing a ticket for all four performances for just $52. We're delighted to be able to have both the facilities as well as the historic resources to make Forest Lawn Cemetery a year-round destination."

Tickets are available at the front desk of Forest Lawn at the corner of Delaware and Delavan Avenues, or by calling 885-1600 ext. 302.

Channels – Stories from the Niagara Frontier

Premiere Screening!
Sunday, December 6th, 3 pm
Market Arcade Film & Arts Center, 639 Main Street
Cost: FREE! (donations accepted)

Channels - Stories from the Niagara Frontier, now in its third year, is Squeaky Wheel’s production program which matches documentary filmmakers with grass roots initiatives and groups to collaboratively create documentary films about issues important to this region. The participating groups are Preservation Buffalo Niagara, the Coalition for Economic Justice, Native American Community Services, and Read To Succeed. Channels is supported by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.

Build on the Past for Our Future by Diedie Weng aims to promote a conversation about low-income communities' efforts and struggles in revitalizing neglected historical Buffalo neighborhoods by valuing the people and the place as assets.

‘Round the Clock: Buffalo’s Workers and the Fight for Jobs with Justice by Christine Zinni focuses on 4 workers whose income from full time employment is well below the federal poverty level, showing how people are fighting back to bring about change.

The Ecology of Reading (working title) by Loren Sonnenberg shows the innovative and holistic approach the Read To Succeed coalition and other organizations in Buffalo bring to the field of literacy education.

Unseen Tears: The Impact of Native American Residential Boarding Schools in Western New York by Ron Douglas focuses on Western New York Native American communities who are attempting to heal the wounds and break the cycle of inter-generational trauma resulting from the boarding school experience.

Check out Squeaky Wheel's videos on vimeo

Family Day at the History Museum

The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society
presents FAMILY DAY at the Museum

Saturday, November 21 from 12-3pm
$5/child for members, $10/child for nonmembers
Adults are free with child admission

PIONEER LIFE!

Activities will include:

· Beeswax Candlestick Making
· Handmade Paper
· Clay Pinch Pot Building

LIVE MUSIC AT 2PM WITH DAVE RUCH

Museum Tours, Scavenger Hunts, Live Interpreters in the Pioneer Exhibit
Call Tara Lyons, Museum Educator with questions
873-9644 extension 311

Tree Planting in the Olmsted Parks

The Olmsted Parks Conservancy is hosting a tree planting this weekend, Saturday the 14th, in several of the Olmsted parks. They need a few more volunteers to plant in Front Park (25 trees to be planted) and Martin Luther King Jr. Park (50 trees to be planted).

For a tree planting volunteer form, please contact Steven Nagowski at 716-838-1249 ext. 33 more information. The group meets at 8:30am for registration. Wear old clothes, boots, gloves and--if you have one--bring a spade shovel.

Local Armory Events

Buffalo's Connecticut Street Armory will will host a public Veteran's Day commemoration at 11am this Wednesday (11/11), to be followed by a public reception and a public tour of this monumental fortress. The other opportunity to tour the armory is at a similar event held every Memorial Day. The tours are led by official Armory historian Warren Baltes.

On November 22, the completely restored armory of the 25th Company of the New York State National Guard--now known as the Tonawanda Castle--will be open to the community to come and share their experiences and personal memories of this historical building.

Visit BuffaloRising.com for more information.

Lecture Series at the Buffalo Central Library

The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library is hosting a series of speakers this winter. For more details and updates, visit this link. The first lectures are listed below.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
12:15-1 PM
Speakers: Dennis Galucki, Founder, Center for the Study of Art, Architecture, History and Nature; Chuck LaChiusa, Buffalo Architecture and History webmaster

Tuesday, December 8, 2009
12:15-1 PM
Speaker: Brian Reilly, City of Buffalo Commissioner Economic Development
1-1:45 PM
Speaker: Hon. Paul A. Dyster, Mayor Niagara Falls, NY

Tuesday, January 12, 2010
12:15-1 PM
Speaker: John J. Hurley, President Designate Canisius College

Buffalo Youth Media Institute event

SPECIAL AFTERNOON SCREENING FOR THE
BUFFALO YOUTH MEDIA INSTITUTE

Sunday, November 15, 3pm
Market Arcade Film & Arts Center, 639 Main Street

$10 Admission
$25 Supporter (will get a free t-shirt or dvd)
$50 Patron (will get free t-shirt and dvd)

Reception and gift raffle will follow the screening.

Please join us to help make this year's BYMI a reality!

We will screen an hour long program of some of the highlights from the past 4 years of the Buffalo Youth Media Institute. Expect a wonderful kaleidoscope of what Buffalo has to offer as seen through the eyes of Buffalo’s next generation of film makers: a magical portrait of Forest Lawn cemetery, a poem about graffiti, an insightful interview with recently deceased community activist Rosa Gibson, an ode to the beauty of grain elevators, a close look at the local food movement, a loving portrayal of St. Luke’s on the East Side, a passionate appeal on behalf of bees, and a thoughtful essay about the proposed downtown casino. Please help us so we can continue to offer this truly unique program to Buffalo’s youths!

The Buffalo Youth Media Institute is a collaboration with Preservation Buffalo Niagara and Squeaky Wheel and has been supported in part by the NEA, the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, the Baird Foundation, the Laura Jane Musser Fund, and individual contributions.

Please RSVP at 884-7172 if you wish to attend. As an example, here is another short film created by a BYMI student:

The Infected District

Buffalo Youth Media Institute | MySpace Video

New Book About Parkside

After nearly two years of work, Steve Cichon is now taking pre-orders for The Complete History of Parkside, a 172-page book, filled with 135 historic photos.

You can read about the Frederick Law Olmsted designed neighborhood, from its place in the history of the Seneca Nation, to its role in the War of 1812, to Olmsted's design and the turn of the century building out of the area, and the neighborhood's 20th century evolutions. Included are discussions of the area's earliest colorful settlers, Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin Martin House, Delaware Park, The Buffalo Zoo, and the stories and anecdotes of many more struggles, individuals, and institutions that have made Parkside one of Buffalo's premier historic neighborhoods today. More on the book and what's inside can be found at http://www.staffannouncer.com/parksidebook.htm

Sales of the book will benefit several non-profit groups and churches in the Parkside area. Steve Cichon is one of several Parkside Community Association members who give our monthly Parkside Neighborhood tours in the summer.

Looking Forward: The National Preservation Conference Comes to Buffalo

Edward Healy, Vice President of Marketing for the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau, explains why Buffalo is the perfect choice for the 2011 National Preservation Conference. Visitors to this year's annual conference in Nashville were already buzzing about Buffalo.

Source: the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Seeds of the New Commons

Seeds of the New Commons: Building the Future in the Present
Chris Carlsson in conversation with Justin Booth and Kirk Laubenstein
November, 6th 7:00 pm
Sugar City (19 Wadsworth - near Elmwwod and Allen)

Join Chris Carlsson (San Francisco-based activist, author and historian), Justin Booth (Green Options Buffalo, Buffalo Blue Bicycle) and Kirk Laubenstein(Grassroots Gardens) for a discussion on how the future is being built today, in Buffalo and beyond.

Chris Carlsson is a writer, publisher, editor, and community organizer. He is the executive director of the multimedia history project Shaping San Francisco,
and has edited four collections of political and historical essays. He helped launch the monthly bike-ins known as Critical Mass, and was the longtime editor of Processed World magazine.

In his current book Nowtopia: How Pirate Programmers, Outlaw Bicyclists, and Vacant-Lot Gardeners are Inventing the Future Today, San Francisco-based activist and historian Chris Carlsson profiles practices that embody a deep challenge to the basic underpinnings of modern life, as a new ecologically driven politics emerges from below, reshaping our assumptions about science, technology, and human potential.

Justin Booth is the director and founder of Green Options Buffalo which has launched programs including Recycle-A-Bicycle, Blue Bicycle and the Commercial District Bicycle Parking Program. His focus has been on developing interventions focused upon enhancing quality of life through healthier built and natural environments.

Kirk Laubenstein is president of Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo, a community gardening program working with public and private sectors to revitalize neighborhoods and build quality of life through the reuse and beautification of vacant land.

This event is free and open to all ages

http://www.nowtopians.com
http://www.greenoptionsbuffalo.org
http://www.grassrootsgardens.org

Carlsson interviewed on KEXP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_pfDjnbWuQ

[Thanks to Kirk Laubenstein and Cynthia Van Ness for the information]

Photos from our Annual Meeting

Preservation Buffalo Niagara celebrated its 1st anniversary with a meeting at the historic Delaware Avenue Baptist Church. Built from 1894-5, the interior has remained virtually unchanged throughout its history. After brief speeches about the year's successes and challenges, membership was invited to enjoy some birthday cake and cider. More pictures will be posted later. If you are interested in becoming a member, which includes discounts and coupons for many Buffalo Tours events, please call us at (716) 852-3300.

Richardson Olmsted Complex Declared 2009 Landslide Site

From the Richardson Center Corporation:

The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) announced the 2009 Landslide theme – Shaping the American Landscape – and the sixteen 2009 Landslide sites, including the Richardson Olmsted Complex.

Landslide, established in 2002, examines threatened landscapes (listed thematically, e.g., working landscapes, designed landscapes), and is designed to educate the public about and rally support for these sites.

The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF), established in 1998, is the only not-for-profit foundation in America dedicated to increasing the public’s awareness of the important legacy of cultural landscapes and the need to help save them for future generations.

Previous Landslides have been accompanied by traveling exhibitions organized in cooperation with and curated by George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film, which commissioned original photography of the endangered places.

The sixteen 2009 Landslide sites, culled from nearly 100 nominations, feature the work of master landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted, Beatrix Farrand, George Kessler and Hideo Sasaki, along with architects I.M. Pei and H.H. Richardson.

Erie Canal Harbor Model Photos

Several hundred citizens attended a public comment session about the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Study (DGEIS) for the Erie Canal Harbor. More details about the meeting can be found on Buffalo Rising. Models were also on display, of which some photos can be seen below.


Pedestrian ramp and recreation area outside Bass Pro.


Looking south down Main Street


Looking east from the Cobblestone District


Looking north from the water. In front, a proposed boutique hotel.


Construction of a parking ramp near the Marine Drive Apartments generated the most controversy.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Buffalo Venture

From the UB Reporter:

“Frank Lloyd Wright’s Buffalo Venture: From the Larkin Building to Broadacre City,” an exhibition focused on the context in which Buffalo became a locus for Wright’s architectural activities in the first decades of the 20th century, will be presented by the UB Anderson Gallery Oct. 2 through Dec. 30.

The exhibition will be free of charge and open to the public in the gallery, One Martha Jackson Place—off Englewood Avenue between Main Street and Kenmore Avenue. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. For information, call 829-3754.

The exhibition will present more than 130 objects, including those related to 22 buildings and projects—11 built works and 11 unrealized projects—that resulted from Wright’s 32-year association with the forward-thinking executives of the Larkin Company, a once-prominent soap-and-mail-order business based in Buffalo.

Click here to see the rest of the article.

Historic Preservation Rehabilitation Tax Credit Workshop with Sam Hoyt

Attention Historic Preservationists, Housing Activists, Commercial Developers, and all who love Buffalo:

Please join Assemblymember Sam Hoyt at the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit workshops on Wednesday, September 30th from 1-3pm (commercial tax credit workshop) and 5:30-7:30pm (residential tax credit workshop) at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society.

As you may know, Sam Hoyt and others worked very hard over this past few years to see this legislation signed by Governor Paterson in Buffalo in July. Within hours of its signing, a multi-million dollar project on the East Side of Buffalo was announced by Business First. Without your help this past spring, including the critical letters of support that you sent to Governor Paterson, we would not be here. These workshops are an opportunity to educate our community about the benefits of this program and prove that investing in our historic cities and neighborhoods is concrete, sustainable economic development that means both jobs and revitalized urban communities.

Both historic rehabilitation tax credit workshops will be held at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society and will have officials from the New York State Office of Historic Preservation, as well as other local and state preservation experts. Event partners include the NYS Office of Historic Preservation, the Preservation League of New York, Preservation Buffalo Niagara, the Campaign for Greater Buffalo, the Allentown Association, and Black Rock Riverside GNPA Historic Preservation Committee.


Please RSVP for either of these workshops (commercial or residential) to Preservation Buffalo Niagara at 716-852-3300.

Learn more about the Historic rehabilitation tax Credit program and see if your property is eligible!

Host: Citizens for Sam Hoyt
Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 1:00pm - 7:30pm
Location: Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society
25 Nottingham Court, Buffalo, NY

Sam Hoyt Hosting Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Workshop

NEWS FROM ASSEMBLYMEMBER SAM HOYT
144th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

Contact: Sam Hoyt (716) 885-9630
E-mail

Hoyt Hosting Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Workshop
September 30 Event Designed To Educate Homeowners and Businesses

Assemblymember Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo) is hosting a Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Workshop on Wednesday, September 30 at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society. Two separate seminars, one for commercial real estate and one for residential properties, will be held. The State Historic Preservation Office, Preservation Buffalo Niagara, the Preservation League of New York State, and several local block clubs in historic neighborhoods are working with Hoyt to coordinate this event.

This workshop will offer guidance for people interesting in using the new Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit authored by Assemblymember Hoyt. There is tremendous potential for economic growth through restoration of historically significant buildings. This tax credit was created to assist homeowners and businesses by making restoration more affordable to create renewal without sacrificing the unique architectural heritage that is a hallmark of Buffalo.

WHO: Assemblymember Hoyt and preservation experts.

WHEN: 1-3pm for the Commercial Historic Preservation Tax Credit
5:30-7:30pm for the Residential Historic Preservation Tax Credit

WHERE: Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society
25 Nottingham Terrace
Buffalo, NY 14222

RSVP: Please Call Preservation Buffalo Niagara at 716-852-3300.

Assemblymember Sam Hoyt represents the 144th Assembly District.

Teresa Glanowski
Director of Communications and Special Projects
Assemblymember Sam Hoyt
936 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo,
NY 14209
716.885.9630
716.885.9636 fax

Louis Sullivan and H. H. Richardson in Buffalo

Here is the trailer for the film produced by the guys who came to Buffalo last year. The producer is Mike Kwielford and you can also check out the film's website. (Thanks to Harry Meyer of Hodgson Russ for this link.)



Plans continue to unfold at the Richardson-Olmsted Complex as well. You can read a recent Buffalo News editorial about the plans and get a video look inside the building by clicking here. (Thanks to Monica Pellegrino Faix of the Richardson Center Corporation for this link.)

“Elbert Hubbard and the Roycrofters”

Special Preview of New Documentary, November 5th at 7:30pm

The RCC welcomes guests to join them for the first public viewing of the new, educational one hour documentary about the Roycroft community and its influential founder, Elbert Hubbard. The show was produced by Buffalo’s WNED-TV with the help of a substantial grant from The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation. Special pricing to purchase videos will be available that night only!

Call (716) 655-0261 or visit The Roycroft Campus Corporation for more information.

Expression of Sympathy

Preservation Buffalo Niagara Sadly Announces
the Death of Our Executive Director, Michael Miller

Preservation Buffalo Niagara is sad to announce the untimely death of its recently appointed Executive Director, Michael Miller, 51, of Wheatfield, NY. Michael was previously employed by M&T Bank for over 17 years and was an active volunteer and leader for the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation. Michael recently made the decision to join Preservation Buffalo Niagara to fulfill a life-long passion to work full-time in the area of historic preservation, where he devoted so much of his free time.

Catherine Schweitzer, Board Chair of PBN said "We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Michael's passing. Michael was so happy with his decision to join PBN as our first full time executive director; he brought significant professional skills, a wonderful spirit and enthusiasm to the organization as well as an extensive network of friends. Through his dedicated service to the Central Terminal and Broadway-Fillmore area, Michael earned the trust and respect of the preservation community. He was genuinely excited about the opportunities ahead for himself, the preservation movement, and the entire Buffalo/Niagara region. Michael will be sorely missed. We all extend our heartfelt condolences to Michael's family and many friends."

Plans are underway for a remembrance of Michael's life at the Central Terminal. Information will be forthcoming.

Preservation Buffalo Niagara is a recently re-constituted organization representing the combination of the former Preservation Coalition and the former Landmark Society and is devoted to education and advocacy for Historic Preservation principles, practices, and related issues. In addition to hiring Michael as its Executive Director, PBN was in the process of searching for a "Preservation Specialist", which is expected to continue. PBN successfully secured significant philanthropic funding and will play a lead role when Buffalo hosts the National Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Conference in 2011.

MILLER - Michael J. August 27, 2009, of Wheatfield, NY, Executive Director Preservation Buffalo Niagara, son of Rita (Schwendler) Miller and the late Earl; loving brother of Karen (Robert) Smith of Tonawanda, NY, Katie (Chuck) Travis of North Tonawanda, NY, and the beloved uncle to Corey and Sara. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 2-7 PM at the Buffalo Central Terminal, 495 Paderewski Drive, where a Memorial Service will he held at 7 PM, with the Rev. Robert J. Fink, officiating. Should friends desire, memorials in Mike's memory may be made to the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation, PO Box 468, Buffalo, NY 14212. Visit www.rhoneyfuneralhome.com, for guest register.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/buffalonews/obituary.aspx?n=michael-j-miller&pid=132066018

Happy Hour Tour: The West Village

Buffalo's own West Village was recently the highlight of a Preservation Magazine photo essay. To view the essay, click here!

Our Happy Hour Tour of the West Village begins at 6pm, Friday, October 21 and ends at a local pub. Explore the neighborhood pioneered by Buffalo’s first mayor, Ebenezer Johnson, in 1824. Excellent examples of Italianate, French Second Empire, Victorian Gothic, and Richardsonian buildings survive. Visit the finest red brick architecture in Buffalo, one of the city’s first public parks, early mansions and apartment houses. Meet us at Johnson Park & South Elmwood Avenue, next to the big rock--you can't miss it!


View Larger Map
Special encore tour Sunday, September 27 at 2pm

Happy Hour Tour this Friday at 6pm

We asked a few people on the first happy hour tour what they thought. To hear what they said, click "play" below. The next Happy Hour tour on July 17 in the Theatre District.

Pictures are from Happy Hour and other recent tours. Thanks to Jane for the audio!

FREE City Hall Tours at Taste of Buffalo

Sunday 11 - 5

Catch the New Courthouse on Queen City Tours

Here's one persons view.

Buffalo Tails - Dog Walking Tours

Buffalo Tours docents Cindy & Paul teamed up with The Puppy Playpen on Ellicott Street for the first ever dog walking tour of downtown Buffalo. What a great idea! And from the looks of it, the tour was a rousing success.




Thanks again to Atsuko Mitchell for her photos.

Join our Facebook group

Our facebook group just passed 600 members. Joseph Ellicott has 882 friends. Can you help us surpass Joseph? Give it a try.

War of 1812 sites in Buffalo & Black Rock

Historian Richard Feltoe came in from Toronto and met some community activists to research possible sites for a War of 1812 memorial in Buffalo. See three video clips below! Books, tours, movies, and many more projects are in the works. Buffalo Tours also gives architecture and history tours of the Black Rock area on July 4th, August 1st, September 5th, and October 3rd at 10am.

Free Roycroft Raffle and Free Tours

When you complete the sign-in sheet at the start of any tour you will be entered into our end-of-season raffle. A free dinner and overnight stay at the historic Roycroft Inn will be awarded to the lucky raffle winner.

In addition, you can take the tour for free and get $20 in Tour Bucks for future tours! Just select the option on the sign-sheet to join Preservation Buffalo Niagara ($40/individual or $50/family). We accept cash, check, Visa or Mastercard.

Unanswered Tour Questions

Tour patrons sometimes ask questions for which the docent doesn't have an answer. With this in mind I've created a public place to display those questions and answers .

Buffalo Tours now has a Flickr group

If you give or take tours, you take pictures along the way, and you have a Flickr account, we'd love to have you join & share your pictures.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/buffalotours/

Buffalo Tails: Dog Walk and Historical Downtown Tour

When: Fri, June 26, 6pm – 8pm
Where: 431 Ellicott Street, Buffalo NY 14203
Call (716) 602-7169 for reservations.


Bring your pooch to a special edition of the Queen City Downtown tour! Co-sponsored by Companion Animal Network and Buffalo Tours, this 1 1/2 hour, fido-friendly family walk will visit some of the our beautiful downtown landmarks. Along the way you’ll hear the stories of Buffalo’s beginning, the Erie Canal and several master architects like Sullivan, Burnham, Upjohn and our own E.B. Green. This fun event will provide water and treats for our 4 legged companions. Some buildings will be open for the tour and dog sitters will be provided for your dog so that you may visit the inside of some of these fabulous buildings. The tour will begin from the Puppy Playpen on 431 Ellicott Street at Genesee Street. Hot dogs will be served from 6:15 to 7:00pm. The tour starts promptly at 7:00pm. Refreshments, desserts and dog treats will be served at the Puppy Playpen after the tour. ThetTour will cost $25 for a family or $20 dollars and a pet food contribution to the Pet Food Pantry in advance or $30 dollars at the door. Your dog must be leashed and we ask that you bring materials to clean up after your dog.

Buffalo Tours: Queen City Downtown

Over 1500 people have taken a tour with us in the past month, including over 75 people who braved the rain at a Queen City Downtown tour just a couple of weeks ago.


Our Queen City tours are held on Saturdays from June through October, Monday through Friday in July and August, and Tuesdays all year long.


To see tour times and meeting locations, check out the tour description online.

Elmwood Village Free Summer Concert Series

Each Tuesday from June 30th to August 11th the Elmwood Village Association will stage a free concert on Bidwell Parkway.

Event sponsors include M&T Bank (Presenting Sponsor), Bergen & Schiffmacher, LLP, Damon & Morey LLC, Delaware District Councilmember Michael LoCurto, and the law firm of Cantor, Lukasik, Dolce and Panepinto.

The complete Summer Concert Schedule is as follows:

June 30th - Neville Francis & the Riddim Posse
July 7th - Doug Yeomans and the Lo Blu Flame
July 14th - Latin Jazz Project
July 21st - Outer Circle Orchestra
July 28th - Lee Ron Zydeco & the Hot Tamales
August 4th - Gretchen Schulz and the Morvels
August 11th - Babik

For more information about specific concerts please visit www.elmwoodvillage.org.

Food, water, beer and wine are available for sale by JP Bullfeathers with proceeds benefiting the Elmwood Village Association. Concert goers are also welcome to bring their own picnic to enjoy!

Forest Lawn Cemetery Summer Tour Program

From Forest Lawn:

Forest Lawn Cemetery and Garden Mausoleums will greatly expand its popular Sunday in the Cemetery Tours. A total of 38 guided motor coach and walking tours will focus on the cemetery's history, nature, art and architecture, famous women, and African-Americans from June 7 through September 27, 2009. In 2008, Forest Lawn offered 25 tours as part of the summer program.

Now in its 13th year, the tour series marks the 160th anniversary of Buffalo's oldest cemetery. Founded in 1849, Forest Lawn continues to serve as an important end-point destination for tourists, historians, and families seeking a better understanding of the history of Buffalo and the nation.

During the tours, professional guides and authentically costumed characters chat with visitors and speak "in character" about what life was like from the early 1800's. Visitors tour parts of Forest Lawn's 269 acres (one of New York State's largest arboretums!) and see outstanding examples of funerary art. Forest Lawn is listed on both State and National Registers of Historic Places. More than 156,000 people have chosen Forest Lawn as their final resting place, and famous people interred there include a President of the United States, 47 Mayors of Buffalo, recipients of the Medal of Honor, veterans from more than 8 wars, and thousand of others.

The summer's schedule includes 20 History Tours by air-conditioned motor coach, 11 History Walking Tours; 2 Nature Walks; 1 Famous Women Motor Coach Tour and 1 Famous Women Walking Tour; 1 African-American Motor Coach Tour; 1 Pan Am Motor Coach Tour; and 1 Art & Architecture Motor Coach Tour. Motor Coach Tours are $25 per person. Walking Tours are $15 per person. Tours last approximately one and a half hours, and due to length, are not recommended for children under 12. Adult group tours are available by special arrangement through the Forest Lawn office, and information on both school and group tours may be obtained by calling 885-1606, extension 302. Reservations are required, and tickets may be obtained from Forest Lawn at the corner of Delaware and Delavan, or on line at forest-lawn.com, or www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/8231.

"Californians Drawn Here for the Culture"

Read the Buffalo News article about a group who recently took one of our group bus tours. They also visited a number of museums and Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in Buffalo.

I had no idea that Buffalo had this much,” said Koch, who owns a travel agency in Manhattan Beach, California. “It’s a hidden gem. I knew this would be a good tour.

To arrange a bus tour for your group, visit our Group Tours page.

Queen City Saturdays Debut 6/6

Last year's popular Downtown Revealed tour has been enhanced and renamed. Now called Queen City Downtown, you'll make several new stops including Buffalo Savings Bank, the Electric Tower and forgotten Genesee Street. At 2pm on Saturdays, meet at the Erie Canal Harbor next to the Naval & Military Park Store; $10; students $5.

Buffalo Photo Contest Announced

From the Convention & Visitors Bureau:
Say Cheese, Buffalo! Photo Contest

The BNCVB photo contest is open to all levels of photographers of all ages. This is a photo contest sponsored by the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau to showcase the beautiful sights of the Buffalo Niagara area. Each photo submitted has the chance to be used in various BNCVB publications and on its website, to promote the Buffalo Niagara area as a fun and exciting place for out-of-town visitors and locals. An entry form must be submitted with each photo. So grab your camera and help capture the beauty of Buffalo Niagara.

The contest is on-going and has seasonal periods of entry:

SUMMER: July 1, 2009 – September 30, 2009
AUTUMN: October 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009
WINTER: January 1, 2010 – March 31, 2010
SPRING: April 1, 2010 – June 30, 2010

Each of the seasonal contests will have a 1st place $100 winner.

Field Trip to Buffalo City Hall

When a recent school group took a tour inside City Hall, Councilman Demone Smith popped out of his office and spoke to the students about the three branches of city government. Thanks to Councilman Smith for stopping by!



To arrange an educational school tour for your class, call us at (716) 852-3300 or write us at info@BuffaloTours.org.

Erie Canal Harbor Tours Announced

Buffalo Tours will give guided tours of the Erie Canal and Central Wharf area on weekends this summer! The tours are free to the public. View the summer schedule here.


The Erie Canal tours are sponsored by Buffalo Place and the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, as well as Preservation Buffalo Niagara and M&T Bank.

The Oldest Building in Erie County

According to an article by John Conlin in the Winter 2003 issue of Western New York Heritage, the oldest surviving building in Erie County is the Gipple Cabin built by a frontier settler named Amos Woodward in 1803. The Rev. Walter Kern took this photo of the cabin in 1974:


This week I went out searching for the structure, located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Harris Hill Road and Wehrle Drive in Lancaster. (Map.) The building can be found at the very corner of an expanding office development whose parking lot ends only a few yards from the front door.


Here is the building today: