NEWSLETTER • FALL - WINTER EDITION • 2011 WRIGHT ON THE LAKE ESTABLISHED TO PRESERVE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S GRAYCLIFF ESTATE Photo: Scott Schultz Scott Photo: Historic Landscape Restoration at Graycliff Underway! Rappelling down the cliff face, taking soil samples, creating geothermal scans and reviewing topography: these were all undertaken by Pressley Associates of Boston, MA and their subcontractors Watts Engineering and Architecture and McMahon & Mann Consulting Engineers over the last several months, as part of the restoration of Graycliff’s historic landscape. A formal ground breaking ceremony (see page 5) was held on Friday, September 30th, attended by US Congressman Brian Higgins; Mark Thomas, Director of the Western District, NYS Parks; trustees of the East Hill Foundation, including Ami and Warren Greatbatch, Kenneth Dulian, Ann Sweeney, and (although , the earliest donor to the landscape restoration O. John Siegel; Wendy Pierce Phyllis Pierce C was unable to attend and was much missed) Robert Irwin and Catherine Schweitzer from the Baird Photo: P. Mahoney Collection P. Photo: Foundation; Jean McKeown from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo; NYS Assemblymen “Coming in this house would be ABERMEHL and something like putting on your hat Dennis Gabryszak (143rd District), Kevin Smardz (146th District), Francis Pordum, Supervisor . A H and going outdoors…” of the Town of Evans; Tuona Batchelor, representing US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand; Daniel Myers, DW E — Frank Lloyd Wright to representing NYS Senator Mark Gristanti; Darren Kempner, representing Erie County Executive Darwin Martin, correspondence, 1926 Chris Collins; Thomas Heltz from M&T Bank; and Jack Walsh III of the Western New York Foundation. OURTESY They celebrated work that has commenced and will be continuing for several months. C Enjoy the Holidays After introductions and remarks by Patrick J. Mahoney, President of the Graycliff Conservancy, RINTING a viburnum doublefile shrub was ceremonially planted on the Maid’s Croquet Lawn. Guests • P at Graycliff then adjourned for cider and cookies on the cloudy but still warm autumn day at Graycliff. Following refreshments, guests including Graycliff Docents and Green Team members were RAPHICS invited to a presentation by Pressley Associates on the specifics of the historic landscape restoration. EZ G Yuletide Tours Pressley Associates has produced Part II of the Cultural Landscape Report; Part I had been created previously by Heritage Landscapes, Inc. of Vermont and Connecticut. Pressley Associates is responsible OURTESY C & for producing construction documents and supervision of construction; all under the watchful eye ESIGN of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. D Pavilion Gift Shop Work will continue over the winter months and into the spring of 2012. REATIVE C www.GraycliffEstate.org A Message From The President: Measurable Accomplishments and Planning Ahead for 2012 Another season is winding down at Graycliff current owners of Graycliff at the time, the and like our previous seasons we have some Piarist Fathers. When the Piarist Fathers left measurable accomplishments to report Graycliff, the Czoras continued to be good BOARD OF DIRECTORS and enjoy. neighbors to the young Graycliff Conservancy (Jim once used his truck to pull my deeply Patrick J. Mahoney, A.I.A. The Family Sun Porch President Regarding restoration the first interior work stuck sport utility out of the mud on one of the lawns!). Diane Schrenk is nearly complete on the Family Sun Porch. Vice President The Hooper Family Foundation sponsored this The cottage was listed on the National Register Diane Chrisman project and BRD Construction was able to meet of Historic Places along with Graycliff shortly after Recording Secretary From The Lake Side: A Message From The Executive Director the goal of having the majority of the work the Conservancy was established. When Jim Chris Merry done by Early October. The Sun Porch now passed away (he had been preceded by his wife 2011 was a Year of Much Progress Treasurer sparkles with its restored colored stucco Patricia) he asked his children to try to sell their What an exciting year it has been! Graycliff has made so much . This year, thanks to their help, we saw the Gregory Bernas Martje Bryce Hague ceiling and wall finishes, painted wood home to the Graycliff Conservancy in order that Joseph A. Blatz progress, and so many thrilling events have taken place…where development of several items created just for Graycliff...see for moldings and a custom made rubber tile floor. the original estate could be whole again. Sandra L. Brant even to begin? Here are just a few highlights: work is progressing yourself on page 11. Charles A. LeFevre, ASA Final work continues in installing the last of After a grieving period, the fiveCzora children on the restoration of the historic landscape; Phase V of restoration Harvey Garrett The Governance Committee, chaired by Board Secretary the seven sets of steel and glass doors that agreed to sell the cottage to Graycliff. It was a has commenced with the restoration of our first interior room Susan J. Herold Diane Chrisman and facilitated by members Mary Ann Kresse, connect the sun porch from the fern room and painful process to sell the family home and it is Michael A. Longo, RA thanks to the and the Hooper Family Foundation; National Trust Barbara Nevergold, Nancy Brock and Catherine Schweitzer, reinstalling the historic Bradley and Hubbard now the Conservancy’s challenge to steward this Sharon Osgood, Esq. for Historic Preservation Conference was a huge success focused on the investiture of several new Board members, manufactured lighting fixtures that were Jack Quinn III building into the future. Erie County supported Catherine F. Schweitzer Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Board President Pat Mahoney through the Nominating subcommittee. As a result, Chris Merry, original to the space. A formal re-dedication this acquisition with a $40,000 grant of the Barbara A. Seals Nevergold, Ph.D. keeps his hand on the tiller, guiding the Conservancy with a Sue Herold, Jack Quinn and Mike Longo have all joined the Board of the space will follow early next season. $135,000 purchase price. Clifford E. Whitman William A. Wisniewski steady hand, while also serving as Chair of Graycliff’s Design in recent months. The Committee also provided leadership for The Sun Porch was one of the highlights The front porch at the cottage was a natural Committee, overseeing restoration. Fellow Design Committee a new Graycliff Strategic Plan, developed thanks to funding of the visits by the National Trust for Historic gathering place for the Czoras and the members Joe Blatz, Sandy Brant, Tom Carleton, John Conlin, Diane from the Fund for the Arts and building on the previous two Preservation National Conference held here Conservancy hopes they will still think of HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS and supervised restoration of Graycliff strategic plans. The Rev. Margaret R. Foster Schrenk, Sharon Osgood Greg Bernas in mid-October. it as their porch and occasionally stop by Darwin Martin Foster the first interior room of the Isabelle R. Martin House, as well as Russ Maxwell, Chair of Governmental Relations, assisted The Caretaker’s Cottage and spend some time there. the major restoration of Graycliff’s historic grounds and gardens. by Sandra Brant, worked closely with elected officials for the In 1947, the Martin family sold the caretakers Plans are still being developed on how ADVISORS Buildings and Grounds Chair Clifford Whitman worked closely betterment of Graycliff. Their efforts resulted in productive visits cottage (now known as 6482 Old Lake Shore to use the building, although a trial tour Jason Aronoff with Green Team co-chairs Kathy and Dale Marriott and Green by several governmental leaders. Please see articles on pages 4. Rd.) along with almost one half acre from the has already made us realize that there is a Carol A. Bronnenkant original estate. This portion of property was John H. Conlin Team volunteers, and our grounds looked particularly lovely all , chair of the Marketing Committee, produced a compelling story to be shared with the Bill Wisniewski adjacent to the road and did not include Jack Quinan season thanks to their efforts. new brochure just in time for the conference of the public there. Douglas Swift National Trust frontage on Lake Erie. The cottage had been and of Graycliff’s Development ...as well as the design of two lovely new A Friend and Supporter EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Barbara Harder Jessica Hearst for Historic Preservation constructed in 1934 as a result of a long Committee chaired a wonderful second Graycliff Gala, raising posters for the gift shop – in addition to print ads near and far. Iney Wallens, a longtime radio personality Reine Hauser exchange between Frank Lloyd Wright and both funds and enthusiasm with help from originally from Buffalo, passed away in early scottalexanderwood ©2007 design inc. Diane Schrenk The Human Resources Committee, ably chaired by Barbara Seals Darwin D. Martin. Martin thought the cottage and volunteers October as well. Iney hosted a radio show Marion Schmidt, Phyllis Spears, Phyllis Weyer, Nevergold, with Diane Chrisman and Chris Merry, recommended should be built at the road, Wright preferred The Summer broadcast on WHLD-AM and frequently Beth Bloomquist, Antoinette Forth, and Debbie Gorski. that long-time part-time staffer Shannon Lyons become full-time. it be integrated into the low stone wall that Solstice was enjoyed during a celebration for Graycliff funders featured segments on her show in the early With the approval of the Board, Graycliff now has two full time defined the family compound near the entry on June 17th . Special thanks to and years of the Conservancy. These featured Diane Schrenk Sharon Osgood staff members. into the property from the Dexter Rumsey BURNISHING THE JEWEL for their help with the organization of the festivities; and segments resulted in widespread attention for Estate known then as ‘Faraway Farms’ (today especially to our own , former Board member Volunteer Coordinators Carol Wahlenmayer and Phyllis Spears the tours that helped secure the property.