NEWSLETTER • SPRING - SUMMER EDITION • 2013

ESTABLISHED TO PRESERVE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S GRAYCLIFF ESTATE

WRIGHT ON THE LAKE

www.GraycliffEstate.org

A bouquet of colors---the yellow of a backhoe, the orange of a crane, and the white of a concrete mixer-- were seen last spring at Graycliff, as Graycliff’s historic landscape restoration project bloomed. Completed by June, and enjoyed by visitors throughout the rest of the season, a celebration was held on a beautiful day in September.

In her remarks that day to assembled guests, including elected officials and donors, President Diane Schrenk said:

We are now poised to attract thousands of visitors each year from a very important segment of the tourism market—those interested in historic gardens and grounds. The Graycliff Conservancy wishes to thank the many people and funders who made this all of this possible.

This first, major stage of restoration of Graycliff’s historic landscape included such accomplishments as: preservation of the stair tower; a new circle and drive that mimic the

original crushed shale, but is far superior; returning the irregularly shaped pool designed by Frank Lloyd Wright to its original size and shape, complete with new circulation system; and re-grading and plantings including trees and shrubs. In short, the landscape nearest the Wright-designed buildings looks, once again, as Wright intended, emphasizing the full glory of the transparency

of the Isabelle R. Martin House, allowing magnificent views to Lake Erie through the building

Concluding her remarks, President Schrenk said: We would like to thank several long-time supporters of Graycliff: The Baird Foundation; The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation; The John R. Oishei Foundation; The M&T Foundation; The Hooper Family Foundation; The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo; and The Western New York Foundation. Graycliff would simply not exist without their long-term commitment.

Graycliff Landscape Unveiled

www.GraycliffEstate.org

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FALL - WINTER • 2013

ESTABLISHED TO PRESERVE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S GRAYCLIFF ESTATE

WRIGHT ON THE LAKE

“Graycliff’s landscape restoration is simply stunning.

It is a tremendous asset for tourism in Western New York.”

Senator Mark Gristanti

cont’d on page 3

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERSDiane Schrenk,

PresidentBarbara A. Seals Nevergold, Ph.D.,

Vice PresidentMichael Longo, Vice President

Diane Chrisman, Secretary

Chris Merry, Treasurer

Kevin J. ChristnerLarry CobadoJim Charlier

Benjamin Christy, Ph.D.Ken Graham, Esq.

Susan J. HeroldKevin Hoffman

Charles Le Fevre, ASASharon Metz

Sharon Osgood, Esq.Terrence Robinson

Catherine Schweitzer

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERSThe Reverend Margaret R. Foster

Darwin Martin Foster

ADVISORSJason Aronoff

Carol BronnenkantJohn Bry

John ConlinJack Quinan

Douglas Swift

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORReine Hauser

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A Special Note of Thanks The Graycliff Conservancy appreciates the generous support of: New York State, Andrew Cuomo, Governor and the New York State Legislature; the New York State

Council on the Arts; the County of Erie, County Executive Mark Polancarz and the Erie County Legislature; the Town of Evans; as well as the Baird Foundation;

the Balbach Family Foundation, the Cameron Brown Fund, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, James H. Cummings Foundation, The East Hill Foundation, First Niagara Bank, Gannett Foundation, Hooper Family Foundation, Key Bank,

Seymour H. Knox Foundation, Samuel H, Kress Foundation, M&T Bank, Preservation League of New York, John R. Oishei Foundation, Dorothy Payne Fund, Phyllis W. Pierce,

Saperston Family Foundation, Simple Gifts Fund, the Western New York Foundation, Estate of Marion Zimmerman, the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation.

Thank you also to: Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, Ted Catalano; Buffalo Chop House, Buffalo Museum of Science, Burchfield-Penney Art Center,

Business First; Chaintreuil|Jensen|Stark|Architects; Concrete Applied Technologies/CATCO; Darwin Martin House; Dessert Deli; Dundee Ales; EBS Engineering;

Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce; Entercom; Evenhouse Printing; Excuria Salon and Spa; Fallsview Casino; Fontana Rowing Boat House; Forest Lawn; Garman Family

Foundation; Graycliff Hotel and Resort, The Bahamas; Herschell Carrousel Museum; The History Museum; Hull House; John and Marie Hutchins; Dr. Thomas Jambro;

Krog Corporation; KROMAC; Larkin Center of Commerce; Larkin Development Group; Liberty Liquor; M&T Bank; Russell Maxwell; Merk Blasting Services, Inc.;

Mulberry’s Restaurant; MusicalFare Theater; National Fuel; National Grid; New Era Caps; Party Squad; Premiere Wine and Spirits,; Quaker Boy Turkey Calls.;

Richardson Restoration Corp.; Roycroft Inn; Seneca Larkin Holdings LLC; The Shaw Festival; Sienna Environmental Technologies; Simoncelli Electric;

The Slater Law Firm; Sonoma Grill Restaurant; Sterling Inn and Spa; Stratford Tourism Alliance; Tantalo Photography; The Mansion on Delaware; Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural

Site; Trillium Courtyard Florists,; Uniland; Verizon; Vintage Hotels of Niagara on the Lake;; Visit Buffalo Niagara; Wanakah Country Club; Waterbourne Companies;

WBEN Radio; White Oaks Resort and Spa.

The First Stage of Restoration Of Graycliff’s Historic Landscape

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Graycliff Landscape Unveiled cont’d from page 1We would also like to thank each of you who expressed their enthusiasm for the restoration of Graycliff’s historic landscape in very tangible ways: The State of New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the entire New York State Legislature; The County of Erie; major supporter Phyllis Pierce as well as her family; The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo; Saperston Asset Management; The Western New York Foundation; M&T Bank; The Balbach Family Foundation; The Simple Gifts Fund; Schichtel Nurseries; Doctors Claire Schen and Gregory Cherr and the Cameron Brown Fund. We’d also like to thank Concrete Applied Technologies for their superb workmanship in executing this project.

VIPS at GraycliffSeveral VIPS visited Graycliff this season including Eric Lloyd Wright, the grandson of Frank Lloyd Wright; landscape historian Christopher Vernon of the University of Western Australia; Senator Mark Grisanti, County Executive Mark Polancarz; horticulturalist Anne Turalek of Fallingwater; representatives from the New York State Council on the Arts, Western New York Grantmakers, the Landmark Society of Western New York; Society of Architectural Historians; visitors from Wright’s Meyer May House; the Chicago Architecture Foundation; Zhe Jiang University (Hangzhou, China) professors and students; as well as several antique car clubs - among many others. Most people visit Graycliff to see magnificent architecture; but you may run into a VIP or two as well!

Interior Restoration Work Underway! Thanks to funding from New York State, Andrew Cuomo, Governor and the NYS Legislature, especially Senator Mark Gristanti, the continued good will of the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, and our good friends, the Hooper Family Foundation, restoration of the living room floor, the dining room floor, the foyer and a portion of the fire suppression system of the Isabelle R. Martin House is currently underway. This restoration project will be completed by mid-December, 2013…just in time for Yuletide Tours. Tours are continuing during construction, although so far there have been just ten days when tours were re-routed to accommodate the work in progress, thanks to BRD Construction. It’s been fascinating for visitors, too, as docents have explained the restoration underway, and for perhaps the only time ever, visitors were able to see from the living room into the basement, over the course of just a few days. More information will follow in Graycliff’s spring newsletter, as well as Graycliff’s e-newsletter---and photos on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/Graycliffestate

Senator Timothy Kennedy with Catherine Schweitzer Landscape Unveiling

Eric Lloyd Wright at Graycliff

Senator Mark Grisanti, Reine Hauser and Board member Terry Robinson

Graycliff Landscape Restoration Unveiling Ceremony ( left to right) Ruth Bryant, Florence Conti of the John R. Oishei Foundation, Catherine Schweitzer and

Arthur Cryer of the Baird Foundation, Town of Evans Supervisor Keith Dash, Legislators John Mills and Lynne Dixon; Joseph Rychcik of NYSOPRHP, Senator Timothy Kennedy, Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes,

Graycliff President Diane Schrenk and Senator Mark Grisanti

WNY Grantmakers at Graycliff

“I am thrilled to see the progress being made at Graycliff.” Legislator Lynne Dixon

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Graycliff Gala 2014The 2013 Graycliff Gala was the most successful---and fun – yet. Many, many thanks to the following sponsors, who support the work of the Graycliff Conservancy: Esplanade Level: Concrete Applied Technologies/CATCO ■ Porte Cochere Level: The Garman Family Foundation, M&T Bank, The Slater Law Firm ■ Isabelle’s Balcony Level: The Krog Corporation, Seneca Larkin Holdings LLC ■ Darwin’s Balcony Level: Chaintreuil|Jensen|Stark|Architects, LLP, EBS Engineering, Fallsview Casino, National Grid, National Fuel, Simoncelli Electric, Uniland and Verizon. We’d also like to thank our media sponsors, Business First, Entercom and WBEN Radio; as well as in-kind donors Trillium’s Courtyard Florists for magnificent floral arrangements; The Desert Deli for spectacular desserts; The Party Squad for wonderful music; the fine craftsmanship of Dundee Ales & Lagers and for stellar wines, the Premier Group. The efforts of the Graycliff Gala Committee, so ably chaired by Sharon Metz, produced a glorious evening, enjoyed by all.

Plan to be at the Graycliff Gala 2014, which as we go to print is projected to be held on Friday, March 28th at the Saturn Club in Buffalo.

It promises to be the most enjoyable and exciting yet.

to benefit the Graycliff ConservancySaVe thIS date: maRch 28, 2014

the Best Party of the Whole Year!

Michael and Mary Salvadore of CATCO

Maryanne and Robert Kresse at Gala Diane Schrenk enjoys Gala florals

Kathy and William Hochul at Gala

Gala Guest

President Diane Schrenk and Clotilde Dedecker

do you LIKe Graycliff?If so, you’ll love the Graycliff Facebook page. Filled with trivia, inside info, amazing photographs, and much more, it’s easy to see why Graycliff on Facebook is soaring in popularity. You won’t want to miss the colorful, engaging posts on all manner of subjects: Graycliff history, stunning new photos, inside info ahead of the curve, before and after photos, and much more. Go ahead… “Like Us”… https://www.facebook.com/Graycliffestate

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Russell Maxwell at Isabelle R Martin Society event

Members of Graycliff’s Isabelle R. Martin Society gathered for a lovely gathering at the Walter V. Davidson House, thanks to host and Society member Russell Maxwell. Conviviality, a tour of this privately owned home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and wonderful refreshments were enjoyed immensely. The Society is comprised of those who have arranged to leave a gift to Graycliff in their wills. If you, too, plan to leave a legacy to Graycliff, you qualify as a member of the Society. Please contact Reine Hauser at Graycliff@verizon.com or http://graycliffestate.org/legacy_donations for details.

The Davidson House will again be the locations for the next get-together on Thursday, February 27th, 2014…please do join us.

Board Members at Isabelle R. Martin Society Event

Graycliff membershipMembership sustains the work of the Graycliff Conservancy—and we hope you’ll help, too. To become a member, renew your membership, or give Graycliff as a gift, simply go to Graycliff’s website: http://graycliffestate.org/become_a_member There, you can learn about the various levels of membership, download a printed form to return, or join on-line on that very page.

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Welcome gingko

Graycliff “Diamond” necklace

Tour enjoying new landscape

What’s Special at Graycliff? Volunteers!Graycliff volunteers are what make Graycliff such a special place. This past year has been particularly challenging---and rewarding, too—for Graycliff volunteers. The largest class—ever--of new docents were trained and certified by Docent Co-chairs Marion Schmidt and Maureen Meyers, with assistance from several particularly experienced master docents. As a result, Graycliff’s new docents are already joining their peers in receiving rave reviews from visitors. Docents and master docents alike demonstrated their creativity as they led tours around, near and sometimes through, first the restoration of the historic landscape and next, the interior of the Isabelle Martin House.

Graycliff’s Green Team of gardeners, chaired by Kathy and Dale Marriott, experienced the frustrations and ultimately joy of the landscape restoration, while the Housekeeping Team, led by Chair Linda Wayand, managed, with great diligence, to keep the buildings dust free despite all this activity. Special Events Volunteers, coordinated by Graycliff Volunteer Leaders Phyllis Spears and Kathy Mehltretter, worked on events such as the Gala, the Summer Solstice, Graycliff lectures, Parkin’ at the Larkin, Starry Night in the Gardens and many other events both at Graycliff itself and throughout the community. Kudos to everyone for their hard work, good humor and flexibility amidst all the excitement.

Graycliff’s Volunteer BlogCalling all volunteers----Graycliff now has a blog just for you! Updated frequently by our own George Struebel, it’s filled with quizzes, advance info on Graycliff activities, trivia, photos, and much more. After a very simple sign up, you will receive emails whenever there is a new post…and you can designate how often emails are sent. Stay in the loop…you can sign up here: http://graycliffvolunteers.blogspot.com/ or call the site for more information.

Shop Graycliff --- Live and On-LineA number of terrific new items exclusive to Graycliff are now available, including jewelry reminiscent of Graycliff’s Diamond Window in shades of Wright red and gold or Lake blue and green. New on line are baskets for the holiday season…order yours soon at http://graycliffestate.org/shop_GrayCliff. For the largest assortment of wonderful gifts, visit the M&T Pavilion Shop, open daily except Wednesdays from 10 am to 4 pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.)

Earle Newman

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In recent months, the Graycliff Conservancy has elected several new community members to its Board of Directors. These highly qualified individuals were identified as being able to assist the Conservancy in reaching specific goals and objectives outlined in Graycliff’s most recent Strategic Plan, and graciously accepted their appointment.

Kevin J. Christner is the Managing Partner of Richmond Capital Partners, a venture capital firm. He was involved with the group of civic leaders in the attempt to develop a plan to save the façade of the Bethlehem Steel Administration Building.

Larry Cobado is a construction manager for Verizon, responsible for coordinating and managing plant construction. He is member of the Friends of the Edward M. Cotter and the Aero Club of Buffalo, and a graduate of Leadership Buffalo Class of 2002.

Kenneth Graham is an Associate at Damon Morey LLP, practicing in the firm’s Business Litigation and Insolvency Department. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Bar Association of Erie County, and the Western New York Trial Lawyer’s Association.

Opening the envelope: Porches, Porticos and terracesThe 2013 Graycliff Lectures featured three presentations: by Scott Perkins, the newly appointed Director of Preservation at Fallingwater; Perkins is one of the most dynamic experts on the subject of Wright and his architecture; Dale Gyure, Ph.D., a natioanally recognized Wright scholar and author; and Kieran Murphy, Principal Historic Researcher for Taliesin Preservation. The subject was Opening the Envelope: Porches, Porticos and Terraces, and spanned such areas as Inside/Outside: Transitional Space in the Work of Wright; Nature, Landscape, and Architecture in Wright’s Organic Design; and Taliesin’s Loggia Terrace: Experimentation and Preservation.

The Graycliff Lectures, this year for the second time held at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center, are an annual educational program of the Graycliff Conservancy, featuring some of the most renowned experts on Wright, architecture and landscape architecture. Watch our website for news of The 2014 Graycliff Lectures.

conservancy elects New Board members

Kevin Christner

Larry Cobado Kenneth Graham

Scott Perkins

Discover Graycliff • “Located along the Seaway Trail, New York State’s only National Scenic Byway”National Register of Historical Places • New York State Landmark • Save America’s Treasures - Official Project

6472 Old Lake Shore RoadP.O. Box 823Derby, NY 14047

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Tours Available Year Round by Reservation 716-947-9217• e-mail: graycliff@verizon.net • www.GraycliffEstate.org • Martin House - Graycliff Estate Joint Tour Packages also available…call for details

Call For Volunteers • Join us… and discover Graycliff! • Tour Guides and Chaperones - The Docent Committee provides training for interested volunteers.• Gift Shop - Discover the fun of working with people and the many items in our specialty shop• Green Teams - Maintaining the house, gardens and grounds• Special Events - Both on site and off.Interested in helping? Please call us at 947-9217 or by e-mail at graycliff@verizon.net

Funding support provided by M&T Bank and the County of Erie

RATED ★ ★ ★ ★ ★Frank Lloyd Wright Field Guide

6472 OLD LAKE SHORE RD., DERBY, NY20 mins. south of Buffalo on the cliffs of Lake Erie

The houseand its

lakeside settingare inspiring.