Annual Report 2019
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ANNUAL REPORT 2019 1 2019 MARTIN HOUSE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS The MISSION of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House is to Robert J. Kresse, Esq., Chairman of the Board Kevin R. Malchoff, President preserve, interpret, promote and sustain an integrated com- Donna L. DeCarolis, Vice President Jeffrey A. Wellington, Vice President position of world-class architecture, design and landscape. Thomas J. Murrer, Treasurer John E. Siegel, Assistant Treasurer Betsey Locke, Secretary The VISION of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House is Michele Agosto to be a dynamic and celebrated masterpiece of innovative Gwen O. Arcara Douglas C. Bean architecture inspiring and attracting visitors with the Sheldon M. Berlow power of design in harmony with nature. Brian Carter R. Lorraine Collins, Ph.D. Brian J. Connolly Frank C. Cravotta, Jr. STAFF Russ Gentner FINANCE Bonnie Hopkins Mary Roberts, Executive Director Barbara Gasiewicz, Director of Finance Patrick J. Kaler Jolé Boldt, Executive Assistant Jeanne Galas, Corporate Accountant Rev. James J. Maher Mark V. Mistretta CURATORIAL GUEST SERVICES Michael J. Montante Susana Tejada, Curator Becca McCarthy, Guest Services Manager Jack F. Quinan, Ph.D. Janet Akcakal, Guest Services Robert B. Skerker DEVELOPMENT Heather McCarthy, Guest Services Keith M. Stolzenburg Dawn Warsaw, Director of Development Hannah O’Rourke, Guest Services Sylvia M. Tokasz Alexandra Passarell, Development Assistant Andrew Piazza, Guest Services John N. Walsh, III Danielle Schiavitti, Guest Services Susan A. Warren EDUCATION, PROGRAMS AND TOURS Brian Smith, Guest Services Daniel J. Zimmer Angela Laviano Hamister, Director of Programs _______________ Taylor Jeromos, Programs Coordinator LANDSCAPE EX-OFFICIO Gina Miano, Director of Education Nellie Gardner, Horticulturist Mary F. Roberts, Executive Director Maureen Rogers, Special Events/Food & Beverage Erik Kulleseid, Commissioner of NYS Parks MARKETING Represented by Michael Lynch and R. Daniel Mackay FACILITIES Suzanne Badgley, Marketing Manager Satish K. Tripathi, President, University at Buffalo Alejandro Quirós, Facilities Manager Represented by Robert G. Shibley William Kirisits, Caretaker MUSEUM STORE Cydney Kelly, Esq., Parkside Community Association Corey Lubniewski, Caretaker Amy Reville, Director of Retail Operations Michael Osika, Volunteer Representative Marielena Camacho, Museum Store Associate _______________ Jeffrey Salmon, Facilities Engineer Virginia Williams, Head Housekeeper Maggie Cammarata, Museum Store Associate Terrence M. Gilbride, Esq., of Counsel Rebecca Furmanek, Museum Store Associate COVER IMAGE: MARTIN HOUSE VIEW INTO THE CONSERVATORY Barbara Mangione, Museum Store Associate Lisa Yonkosky, Museum Store Associate 2 LETTER FROM BOARD PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Friends, With your support, we made great progress in 2019 toward fulfilling our mission to preserve, interpret, COURTYARD GARDENS promote, and sustain Frank Lloyd Wright’s Mar- tin House, an integrated world-class composition The organic architecture in combination with of architecture, design and landscape. Our vision the living elements provide a unique marketing op- remains clear: to be a dynamic and celebrated portunity for the Martin House as an architectural masterpiece of innovative architecture, inspiring destination, which continues to garner national and attracting visitors with the power of design in and international attention. harmony with nature. Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “I know the price of In terms of programs and operations, as well as success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting capital projects and organizational sustainability, devotion to the things you want to see happen.” 2019 marked a year of positive change and transfor- As we work toward our future goals, even with the mation, paving the way for continued growth as we unique challenges facing all of us thus far in 2020, move forward. We are proud to announce that we we know the Martin House will continue to be a welcomed a record-high number of visitors from welcoming, informed and diverse community asset. near and far to experience the fully restored estate through tour and educational programs, retail offer- Thank you for joining us on a journey that has ings and community events. captured the hearts and imaginations of so many. We are grateful for your commitment and your According to Wright’s original vision, the Martin investment, and we ask that you continue to sup- House gardens have been re-established, signal- port the Martin House as we preserve and sustain ing the final phase of our historic twenty-five year Wright’s masterpiece for generations to come. restoration effort. The landscape epitomizes the intertwined design relationship between architec- ture and landscape, and represents an important contributing feature to the significance of the site. Kevin R. Malchoff Mary F. Roberts PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NORTHEAST SIDE OF ESTATE 3 VOLUNTEERS Our volunteer program is 24 years young and 400+ store volunteers who welcome each visitor with volunteer colleagues strong. Every year we wel- gracious hospitality. In addition, we have office come new volunteers to the Martin House from all volunteers who assist with various projects; our walks of life and of all ages. Volunteers are vital to collections committee whose efforts is to locate supporting our mission, and we are grateful for their Martin House artifacts; our special events team time, commitment and energy. In 2019 our volun- who implement our fundraisers, set up and break teers provided more than 14,500 hours of service to down events and move things when needed. all aspects of the organization. Our education team works with students who attend our summer camp, junior docent program Our dedicated housekeeping/collections mainte- and school groups. nance and garden teams help prepare and maintain the site for daily visitors. Our tour team consists of In July, we participated in Garden Walk Buffalo’s guest services, docents, chaperones, and museum 25th Anniversary event. Volunteers were instru- mental with welcoming visitors, providing direction, and showcasing our newly restored gardens. In two days, the site welcomed 3,000 visitors. Our volunteers created a new continuing education program for their fellow volunteers called Pier to Pier. The mission of this group is to learn best INTERIOR BEAUTIFICATION VOLUNTEER BILL HARDEN museum practices from other cultural institutions. In addition, this group works to maintain and en- hance the knowledge base of docents and volunteers This year we invigorated our volunteer leadership so they can continue to provide excellent customer team. This group has a representative from each volun- service and engaging experiences for our visitors. teer committee to allow for free flow of ideas between volunteers and staff. This allows us to maintain and Our volunteers shine in so many ways, and this year enhance the visitor and volunteer experience, as well they funded the acquisition of a fourth volunteer as move projects forward to sustain the organization. window. It is a proud moment to see the window installed in the conservatory for all to enjoy. Martin Finally, in 2019, through the generous support of the House volunteers have quite a generous spirit, and East Hill Foundation, we moved our volunteer man- collectively they are as amazing as each individual agement to a new platform. This software assists with art glass window, comprised of many individual scheduling, communicating, and managing our corps pieces to create one beautiful whole. while allowing us to work smarter. We are grateful for this support. LANDSCAPE VOLUNTEERS SUSAN PERLOW AND ROSANNE STOLZENBURG 4 LANDSCAPE AND COLLECTIONS 5 LANDSCAPE Interpretation of the landscape will be a source for tours, n Reintroduction of the floricycle—a distinctive half- educational programs, special events, and community circle garden, which as the name suggests, provides a The Martin House is an extraordinary example of dialogues about the importance of nature and design in sequential blooming of colorful seasonal plantings Wright’s artistic vision of uniting architecture in harmony everyday life. with nature. The plan to rehabilitate the Wright-designed n Replacement of trees at historic locations on the prop- landscape broke ground in May 2018. Completed in July erty, as well as the return of street trees along the borders HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MARTIN HOUSE LANDSCAPE 2019, the Martin House engaged Bayer Landscape Archi- of Jewett Parkway and Summit Avenue in conjunction tecture to bring the historic landscape back to life mark- n Redefinition of outdoor “rooms” and architectonic with the City of Buffalo ing the successful completion of the restoration project. garden spaces n Replacement of vegetative screens; naturalistic n Restoration of the visual and spatial relationships shrub massings; selected ornamental flowering shrubs; between architectural and landscape features vine trellises; urns and perennial gardens n Reinstallation of the English border gardens that flank the pergola in contrast with the more naturalistic plant- ings that define the boundaries of the historic property n Preservation of the mature European beech tree— one of only a few remaining plantings from the historic period n Introduction of various physical improvements to the site, including a courtyard and café area; signage and wayfinding systems; and security and lighting Study nature. Love nature. Stay close to nature. It will never fail you. --Frank Lloyd Wright