Master Docents: Graycliff at Valentine's Day

Each year over the weekend nearest Valentine's Day, Graycliff offers fun tours that incorporate information on the many loves of Frank Lloyd Wright.  This is then contrasted with the life long love between Darwin and Isabelle Martin.  Following the tour, we give out free hot chocolate and chocolate kisses.

If you've read up on Wright's love life...first wife Catherine; his relationship with Mamah Cheney and its horrific conclusion, his second marriage to Miriam Noel, and his final marriage and rather unusual relationship with with Olgivanna...not to mention murder and mayhem, arrest under the Mann Act, drug abuse, abandoned children, and digging up remains after burial....perhaps you'd like to give one of these tours.

The Buffalo News will be covering these tours, and we typically fill them anyway...so we can expect full tours, which will most likely take place as follows:

February—Saturday, February 15 –11:00  In-Depth FLW Loves Tour;  1:30 In-Depth FLW Loves Tour

                      Sunday, February 16 –1:30 In-Depth FLW Loves Tour

If you are a Master Docent, and you'd like to docent for them (perhaps do a little refresher reading in January...a good time for it)  please email or call.

Care of New Floors at Graycliff

Hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather!

 Our new floors are expected to be completed soon, and we now have information about how to best maintain them.

1)  The wide-plank cypress we are using is a very soft wood.  For this reason, no high heels are permitted to be worn on any Graycliff tour.  This policy was set several years ago, and for those guests who arrive wearing them,we have "Croc-style" shoes in a variety of sizes available for them to wear.  Docents, can you please scan visitors shoes at the start of each tour?  Staff will be doing this as well, but sometimes it's hard to see over the register!

2) All folding chairs and tables must have rubber tips.  We'll be checking our existing chairs and tables this winter to make sure they do...but if you ever notice that a rubber tip has fallen off, please don't use that chair....just put it aside until we can get a replacement tip.

3) The rubber tips themselves will likely cause scuff marks.  So if using folding chairs or helping with set up and breakdown, please be careful not to drag chairs.

4) Historic Housekeeping Team:  If you notice scuff marks, they can be removed with WD-40 and a soft cloth.

5) Eventually the living room will have a carpet covering most of it, so the areas of concern will primarily be in the dining room and the entry...but we will have runners/rugs in those areas as well.

6) Each winter, we'll be applying a refresher coat..probably in late January each year....so there will be a couple of weeks annually when those rooms will not be accessible.

7) Green Team and anyone else who is interested:  We will be removing all live plants from the interior of the building, with the exception of the ferns in the Fern/View Room.  If you'd like a free plant...let us know ASAP.

Thank you for all you do for Graycliff.....including helping to maintain the areas that are already restored.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all our staff ,and volunteers who make Graycliff a special place.

We are thankful for your smiles

We are thankful for your warm and welcoming nature

We are thankful for your time

We are thankful for your talents

We are thankful for your dedication

We are thankful for your generosity

We are thankful for your flexibility

We are thankful for your willingness to lend a hand

We are thankful for your strength

We are thankful for your ideas and suggestions

We are thankful for your organization skills

We are thankful for your squeaky clean windows

We are thankful for your perfectly pruned plants

We are thankful for your wonderful customer service

And most of all we are thankful for YOU!

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!

Diane Schrenk,President,

Graycliff Conservancy

Restoration Update for 11/21/13 thru Thanksgiving AND Cultural Cards

    Restoration:

 Restoration is moving along very swiftly at the moment, but it shouldn't interfere with tours very much.

      Electricians and Fire suppression installers are hard at work on Graycliff's new misting fire suppression system in the entry, living room and dining room.  At the same time, work is underway on the floor registers, which are being installed BENEATH the floor, as Wright specified.  (Who would have thought of a heated floor back in 1926, but Frank Lloyd Wright?)   There will be registers to conduct heat actually up from the basement.  As you can imagine, most of this work will be taking place in the basement, so there may be some loud noises at times.

New in the Gift Shop:

2014 Cultural Cards

Similar to the Entertainment Book, but looks like a set of playing cards, Cultural Cards provide a variety of discounts for cultural activities all over Western New York.  Of course Graycliff is a participant, and so are the following: 

464 Gallery - 710 Main Theatre - African American Cultural Center  Albright-Knox Art Gallery - Aquarium of Niagara -  Botanical Gardens -Buffalo Arts Studio -Buffalo History Museum Buffalo Music Hall of Fame - p Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus -  Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra - Buffalo Spree - Buffalo Suzuki Strings -  Buffalo Zoo - Burchfield Penney -  Castellani Art Museum - CEPA Gallery - Community Music School -  Explore & More Children's Museum -  Graycliff - e Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum - Infinity Visual & Performing Arts - Irish Classical Theatre -  Jewish Repertory Theatre -  Just Buffalo Literary Center - 2The Kenan Center - Lewiston Council on the Arts -  Locust St. Neighborhood Art Classes - Lucy Desi Center for Comedy - The Martin House -  Mundo Images - Museum of Disability History - Music is Art -  Musicalfare Theatre - Neglia Ballet - Niagara Arts and Cultural Center -  Orchard Park Chorale -  Penn Dixie Site -  Road Less Traveled Productions - Sportsmen's Tavern - Springville Center for the Arts - Starlight Studio and Art Gallery - Subversive Theatre - Theatre of Youth -TR Inaugural Site -  Torn Space Theater - UB Center for the Arts -  Ujima Company -Young Audiences of WNY  Kavinoky Theatre -

Good thru December, 2014, they are $20 per pack.  Available in the Pavilion Shop at Graycliff.

No Restoration Update. But a Few Other Things!

No restoration update this week, as the project manager is out of the country.  Should have an update on Monday.

So a few other things:

Thanks to every one attended the Volunteer Breakfast!  

These are just a  few fun folks:

Dick and Priscilla O'Brien

Linda Weyand, with firefighter helment

Marcy Workman and Cindy Trowman

Phyllis Spears and Kathy Mehltretter

And last but not least, Blogger Extraordinaire, George Struebel

Also, NEW IN THE GIFT SHOP  --JUST ARRIVED:

Bowls, handmade from trees removed during historic landscape restoration.  Each is quite individual...only a few available.  Call Ryan for more information at 716-947-9217.  Only available in the Pavilion Shop, not on line.

Article on Graycliff's Landscape, from the Gardening Perspective

Nice article on Graycliff's landscape restoration, from a different perspective....take a look here:




Buffalo Niagara Gardening article about Graycliff's Historic Landscape

Happening this Saturday, November 9th...

If you haven't RSVP'd for the Volunteer Breakfast at the Wanakah Country Club this Saturday, November 9th from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, please call Graycliff ASAP at 947-9217...it should be fun!

Following the breakfast, for that day only, Graycliff volunteers receive a 20% discount (double the usual 10%) in the Gift Shop on most items (does not include magazine or Buffalo china items, for example...)  Like the new Graycliff jewelry by David Howell.....

Then, at 11:30 am, Charity Vogel will sign copies of her new book,

The Angola Horror: The 1867 Train Wreck That Shocked the Nation and Transformed American Railroads. 

This book WILL be available to volunteers at a 20% discount that day...which is cheaper than Amazon (no shipping charges!)



Looking forward to seeing you this weekend!

FLW American Systems Home

The link below is to a tour of one of Wright's homes for the middle class.  Note the fireplace that is only a room divider similar to the Martin House.  Also notice the corner windows and the comments the narrator makes about them, common to many Wright homes as well as Graycliff.  When Dale Gyure toured Graycliff last month he noted how Wright designed to bring people into a room via a corner entrance as in our living room, View Room and Sun Room to make better use of the room space. That is also evident in this house.  A nice tour, livable house; don't you wish you owned it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l_c7gjIcyc&feature=player_embedded

George

Restoration Update October 30, 2013

Latest restoration news:

Work completed:

• The sub-floor has been installed in the living room.  
• Forced hot air heat has been returned to the second floor, the basement, the kitchen and the pantry.  (There's no heat in the living room, so it's a bit chilly!) 
• Channels have been opened in the walls of the living room in anticipation of installation of the fire suppression system
•  John Larkin's desk has been moved to the Foster House, so that restoration of the foyer floor can be started.  (Of course, this is not original to Graycliff....)

Work currently in progress includes:

•  Removal of mastic remaining from the linoleum that had been installed over the original wood floors by the Piarist Fathers, in the dining room and the entry foyer
• In the basement, an electricition is working on wiring and routing for the fire suppression system

Will post some photos tomorrow!

Graycliff Volunteer Breakfast!

EACH AUTUMN,  WE GATHER TO CELEBRATE GRAYCLIFF VOLUNTEERS

This year, due to construction, Graycliff's Annual Volunteer Dinner will be a volunteer breakfast, instead...and will be held at the Wanakah Country Club, at 5161 Lake Shore Road, Hamburg  just down the road from Graycliff on Saturday, November 9th from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm.

Isabelle and Darwin Martin were members of the historic Wanakah Country Club, making this not only a lovely location, but an appropriate one as well.


Join us for good food, conviviality, awards, both well deserved and funny, and more!


We hope you will attend.


Because of catering requirements, all reservations must be received no later than 5:00 pm on  Tuesday, November 5th...please Email Graycliff or call 947-9217,,,we hope to see you then.

Following the breakfast, volunteers will receive a 20% discount in the Graycliff gift shop for just that day.

Special thanks to Graycliff Board members Kevin Christner and Kevin Hoffman for making the Volunteer Breakfast possible...and to every volunteer for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.

Frank Said

A guest on one of my tours this weekend repeated an FLW quote which I had previously come across and thought it was good enough to share.  Supposedly while testifying in some type of court case FLW was asked  what he did for his profession.  He replied, " I am America's greatest architect."  The attorney responded asking how he could respond that way in court.  Frank replied, "I have to; I'm under oath."  True or not, it is a story worth repeating.

David & Gladys Wright House

Thanks to the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust for posting this:

The David and Gladys Wright House in Phoenix, AZ may soon reach historic landmark status and open to public tours if the city approves an amendment to its zoning ordinance. Watch a brief interior tour and read the full article here: http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20130926phoenix-wright-house-tours.html

Happy Birthday, Darwin D. Martin!

This Friday, October 25th, is  Darwin D. Martin's  birthday --  let's celebrate his many accomplishments.

Born in Bouckville, NY on 10/25/1865, Darwin Martin was deeply affected by his mother's death when he was just 6 years old.  His family split up shortly thereafter, and for the rest of his life, having a home and family was extremely important to Martin.

At the age of 12, Darwin Martin joined his brother Frank in the New Jersey-to-Boston area as a member of a door-to-door sales team (soap slings) for the Larkin Soap Company.

A year later (1879) he came to Buffalo and John Larkin gave him a job in the Larkin Company's office. Martin displayed a talent for mathematics, and a prodigious memory for details. He learned bookkeeping, and in 1886 Martin invented the card ledger system for keeping accounts,  thus eliminating large, unwieldy ledgers.

In 1893 he became secretary (the chief financial officer) of the Larkin Company,  when Elbert Hubbard retired at a young age,. Hubbard was a good friend and advisor to Martin.

Darwin Martin appears to have been a workaholic. In 1897 he had a nervous collapse from over-work, but by 1907 he had become a millionaire through wise investments. Martin's own diary in 1926 (the year Graycliff was commissioned for his wife, Isabelle from Frank Lloyd Wright) estimated his net worth at 2.5M  dollars.

Darwin D. Martin with grandchildren Margaret Foster and Darwin M. Foster at Graycliff, circa 1933.

Martin's association with Frank Lloyd Wright had begun in 1902, when he visited his brother William in Oak Park, IL  and was introduced to the architect   In 1903 Martin commissioned Wright to design a house for his sister Delta Barton and her family on a large lot in the Parkside area of Buffalo, and the following year Martin again commissioned Wright, this time to design  his own home on the same lot, at the corner of Summit Ave and Jewett Pkwy in Buffalo.

Twenty three years later, Wright designed the Martin's summer home, Graycliff, in Derby, NY

Wright and Martin maintained their friendship for 33 years, and Martin aided Mr. Wright innumerable times throughout their friendship.  Martin helped to fund the Wasmuth portfolio , made many personal loans, solicited work for Wright and was instrumental in creating WRIGHT Inc.  Martin gave Wright much advice, ranging from finances to publishing  Their friendship also included a lively exchange of ideas. 

Although Martin had very little formal education, he was was an avid learner throughout his life,  and acquired a sizable personal library of approximately 2,000 volumes.  His interest in  education lead to support for a number of educational institutions, especially the Pine Mountain Settlement in Kentucky, as well as a large number of scholarships.

Darwin Martin was very active in civic affairs, especially after his retirement.  He served on Boards of the Buffalo Historical Society, the NYS Historical Association, the Society of Natural Science (Buffalo Museum of Science), the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society (now the Buffalo Philharmonic), the Chamber of Commerce, Buffalo City Planning, and the Association for the Blind.

He died of a cerebral hemorrhage on December 17th, 1935.

Happy 148th Birthday, Darwin D. Martin!  

Article on Piarist Fathers in WNY Heritage Magazine

New in the Pavilion Shop---the latest issue of WNY Heritage Magazine, which includes an article by Graycliffian Eugene Hegedus called the The Long Road to Freedom.  The article covers the history of the Piarists; the school they founded in Buffalo, Calasanctius; and the Father's time at Graycliff.  Fascinating reading!

Shout Out to Graycliff Housekeepers.....

A big thank you to all Graycliff Housekeepers, especially Team Leader Linda Weyand,  for their efforts this weekend and again today.

Boy, was it DUSTY!  Due to the construction, dust was everywhere...and the Housekeeping Team has done a terrific job of keeping things looking great.

This coming year will be especially challenging for the team, as the dust continues to settle....so when you see the, please thank them very much for a job well done!

Graycliff Living Room Floor Restoration Update October 14, 2013

The living room floor restoration is moving forward rapidly.  Joists and sub-floor have been completed; which means that tours may now go through the living room.  Work in the basement will continue this week, on duct work, etc.  BRD Construction hopes to have heat restored later this week to the second floor, as well as parts of the first floor.  Thus, it may be a little noisy, but tours will not be impeded.

Restoration of the entry way, dining room and final work on the living room floors will get underway in November.

Save the Date: Graycliff Volunteer BREAKFAST!

Breaking tradition due to restoration in progress, the 2013 Volunteer Dinner has been changed to a Volunteer Breakfast.

But not just any breakfast...it will be held at the Wanakah Country Club.

Isabelle and Darwin Martin were members, and visited frequently.

Please save the date: Saturday, November 9th, from 8:30 to 10:30 am.

Awards, conviviality, and a celebration of all that Graycliffians have accomplished this year!

Wanakah Country Club is located at . 5161 Lake Shore Road, Hamburg, NY 14075.

Following the breakfast, we will continue the traditional 20% discount 

in Graycliff's gift shop just for volunteers that day.

Please RSVP to Graycliff at 947-9217 if you are able to attend.

Graycliff Lecture THIS Wednesday....

Opening the Envelope: Porches, Porticos and Terraces

The third and final lecture in the 2013 Graycliff series will conclude with a presentation by Keiran Murphy, Historic Preservation Specialist at Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright's home in Spring Green, WI.

Murphy's illustrated talk should be quite fascinating, 

because she is a practitioner rather than an academic architectural historian.  Her role at Taliesin is to research and the provide guidance to the work crews who are actually performing restoration at the historic home.  

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Burchfield-Penney Art Center

1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY

7:00 pm

$10; $5 for Graycliff members/volunteers, and BPAC members

Presented thanks to the support of the New York State Council on the Arts, Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the New York State Legislature.  Special thanks to the Burchfield-Penney Art Center.

Graycliff Restoration Update Oct 7 through 11, 2013

The living room floor project is moving right along.  BRD Construction expects to have a temporary floor in the living room by the end of the day this Wednesday, October 9th.  This will mean that the living room will once again be available for all tours, although during the coming weeks, we may hear sounds from the basement, where work will continue.

The work in the photo above will only be visible for two more days.....

Graycliff Restoration Update for October 1-7, 2013

Restoration on the Living Room Floor project is moving swiftly now. 

LAST WEEK

All  HVAC duct work was  removed  from the basement, including all forced air floor registers.  The furnaces have been turned off along with the boiler.  Valves for the new boiler floor heating units have been installed.

The electric lines existing on the ceiling of the basement (or underside of the floor that is going to be removed) was loosened so the spancreet (concrete panels) can be removed.

Our contractor, BRD, completed its investigation for the safest, most effective way to actually remove the floor. The basement under the removal area was cleaned out and shoring  installed.

THIS WEEK

This week, the floor topping is being removed; and there will be deliveries of laminated veneer lumber, 

pressure treated lumber, and  brackets, which will be used to provide the support for the new floor.

Plastic sheeting will prevent circulation of dust, and there will be barriers installed to prevent anyone from falling into the basement.  Docents, please be creative in giving tours around this construction.

NEXT WEEK

BRD  will continue with floor removal and installation.  They expect this phase of the work to be completed by week end, so if you want to see into the basement from the living room, these are likely the only times you will be able to do so.

Each section of floor that is removed will be replaced with laminated veneer lumber floor joists. Blocking will then be installed to keep the joists from moving or twisting.

 A temporary plywood floor  will be installed until a large enough area is ready for the tongue and grove under lay flooring to be installed on a diagonal.

As soon as the floor is completed to that point, the HVAC subcontractor will return to install some of the duct work  and restore some forced air  heat.

News about Graycliff China & Lecture This Week!

Two News Items:

Opening the Envelope: Porches, Porticos and Terraces 

The second in Graycliff's 2013 lecture series, Opening the Envelope: Porches, Porticos and Terraces is coming up this Wednesday, October 2^nd, at 7:00 pm at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center.  The illustrated talk  will be presented by Dale Gyure, Ph.D.  Next week, on October 9th, also at 7:00 om at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center, restoration specialist Kieran Murphy will speak.  Hope to see you at both lectures!

A noted Frank Lloyd Wright scholar, Dr. Gyure will speak on Nature, Landscape, and Architecture in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Organic Design.  In this talk, Gyure will discuss Frank Lloyd Wright’s unique approach to architectural design derived from his complex understanding of nature. This lecture will explain how Wright’s theory of nature was manifested in actual landscapes and buildings through architectural elements such as porches, porticoes, terraces, windows, materials, and plantings, focusing on numerous examples from his long career, including Graycliff, Taliesin, and Florida Southern College.

Dale Gyure, Ph.D., is the author of the books  Frank Lloyd Wright’s Florida Southern College and  A History of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Affleck House.   He is the author of numerous articles and chapters relating to Frank Lloyd Wright and other architects, and has lectured widely on these topics.  He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, the Michigan Modern Advisory Board, the Minoru Yamasaki Advisory Board and a consultant to the City of Birmingham, MI.  Dr. Gyure is an Associate Professor of Architecture at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI, while also serving as an Adjunct Associate Professor and Thesis Director at Goucher College in Towson, MD, as well as Adjunct Associate Professor of Architecture at Wayne State University in Detroit.  He received his Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Virginia in American and Modern architecture; his J.D. from Indiana University; and his B.A. from Ball State University.

Graycliff China--Limited Availability

With the demise of Niagara Ceramics, Graycliff's China will never again be produced by what was once Buffalo China, an off shoot of the Larkin Soap Company.  It's possible, but not guaranteed, that we will find another supplier within the US.  Even if Graycliff does manage to work with another producer, the quality and/or types of pieces may change.

So, Ryan has asked that  Graycliff volunteers be alerted that supplies are running low, and that volunteers deserve to "have the first shot at it" in his own words.

The prices are as follows:

Signature Mug: $18

            Volunteer Discount: $16.20

Dinner Plate: $24

           Volunteer Discount: $21.60

Salad Plate: $16

           Volunteer Discount: $14.40

Soup Bowl: $18

           Volunteer Discount: $16.20

Serving Dish: $30

           Volunteer Discount: $27

Set of Four Signature Mugs: $72

           Volunteer Discount: $64.80

Single Place Setting: $68

Four Place Settings: $270

There is no volunteer discount on a single setting or four place settings as the price is discounted more than 10% and is a better deal. 

Restoration Update for Week of September 30, 2013

Restoration of the living room floor will be VERY active this coming week.  At times the living room will not be accessible, and docents will have to lead tours into the front entry, the Fern Room and the Sun Porch, then exit and walk around to see the kitchen and pantry.  Thank you for your creativity and flexibility during this exciting time.

Our contractors hope that after this week there may very well be a walkable surface on the entire living room...we'll keep you posted!

Graycliff Restoration Update for Friday, September 27, 2013

Restoration of the living room floor is starting.  There are two holes...look for one near the fireplace to show visitors.  Work will be taking place in the basement today, with duct work being removed...this may create some loud banging sounds.  The duct work will be removed in sections, so all tours should be able to walk around it without difficulty.  The full first floor will be accessible today.

Also...we were just informed that all water will be turned off throughout the estate by the Town of Evans from 9 am to 2 pm, due to work the Town is doing in the neighborhood.  Thus, there will be no bathrooms available during that time....so plan accordingly before you arrive!

First photos:

Posting The Colors

When I left on vacation a week ago Reine asked me if I was going to be visiting any FLW houses and I told her not likely because I was cruising the Caribean.  Yet here I am in Belize (formerly British Honduras) at Altun Ha in front of one of Frank's textile block houses.  The first pic is of me  posting our colors in my Graycliff shirt in front of the temple of the Sun God and the second shows me still having enough stamina to make it to the top of one of the other temples (yes, that is me with my arms and my stomach outstretched.)  Of course, they are not really FLW constructions, but Mayan buildings of the type from which Frank was said to have been inspired to design his textile block houses.  They date to around 500 BC and it has always been on my bucket list to visit Mayan ruins.  These did not disappoint and it was truly special to be there.

However, it presents an opportunity to talk about his textile block buildings.  He designed five houses, all in California, between 1917-1924.  He used the cheapest form of construction material, the precast concrete block, to challenge himself to design something magnificent out of something so common.  He cast the blocks with designs, sometimes on both sides, and often with glass inserts right inside the block.  He stacked them together and reinforced them with iron rebar to create his houses.  None of them have held up well to weather in general or earthquakes in particular and all have had to be rebuilt at least once.  They also have suffered from one shortfall of most FLW buildings; they leaked, especially since most had flat roof designs.  Yet, the design innovation of the building material is still considered a major design development in American architecture and all the buildings still stand.  I will include a list of them below as well as a couple photos of each .

The first was the Hollyhock House built in 1920 in Hollywood, probably his best known house in this design and most fans' favorite.  It was built for Alice Barnsdall.  It was kind of the precurser to the others.


                              

La Minitura was built in Pasadena in 1923 for Alice Millard, a rare book dealer who had previously commissioned Wright to design a home for her in Highland Park in Illinois in 1906.

   


The Storer House was built in Hollywood Hills in 1923 for  Dr. John Storer.

 


The Freeman House was built in 1924 for Samuel and Harriet Freeman in Hollywood Hills.

   


The Ennis House, probably the house most frequently referenced, was also built in 1924 in Los Angeles for Charles and Mabel Ennis.

   

The form of textile block construction has been referred to as Mayan Revival Architecture so you can see how I can get away with cheating by including my photo in front of a set of Mayan ruins, and yes there were some examples of textile blocks in those ruins. You just never know where you find something of FLW, even if it is only his inspiration.   He also used the process in the design of several of his commercial structures, but it is most often touted in this grouping of residences.



 

Graycliff in the News!

Graycliff formally unveiled its new landscape restoration project, with many elected officials and funders in attendance.  President Diane Schrenk spoke very graciously, then invited Senator Mark Grisanti to say a few words.

Please see Graycliff's Facebook page for photos of those in attendance.  And when you see our elected officials, please thank them for their help.

Press covered the story extensively, with coverage from:

The Buffalo News

Business First

YNN Cable News

And a wonderful story on WGRZ TV 2, with terrific video and even more terrific commentary from anchor Maryalice Demler and weatherman Kevin O'Connell during the 6 pm broadcast, extolling the virtues of visiting Graycliff.  (Unfortunately not posted on-line.)

Graycliff Restoration Update: Floors Part I

Graycliff Living Room Floor and Fire Suppression Update September 23, 2013

Work is scheduled to start tomorrow, Monday September 23, 2013, and although we do not have formal information from the contractors,we understand that initial work will begin in the basement.

Docents: there may be loud banging sounds emanating from this area, so if necessary, please spend more time out of doors...fortunately, the weather will be cooperating this week.

Also, Graycliff's Annual Members meeting will take place this coming Wednesday, September 25th at 6:00 pm at the Fontana Boat House (although this meeting is usually held at Graycliff, the location has been changed due to restoration.)   If you are a member of Graycliff (as well as a volunteer)  please do come...simply RSVP to Graycliff at 947-9217 or RSVP for Annual Meeting  This annual meeting for members is  required by Graycliff's By-Laws....so if you are a volunteer, but not a member, we appreciate your forbearance regarding your status.

ONLY ONE SET OF SHAW FESTIVAL TICKETS LEFT!

One of the Two Sets of Tickets to the Shaw Festival Was Claimed.

Are YOU the Lucky Winner of the Last Set?

In recognition of your wonderful volunteer efforts, Board member Sharon Metz has donated two pairs of tickets to the Shaw Festival, in Niagara on the Lake, to two volunteers.  There are two options:  Guys and Dolls is a much beloved musical, and this Festival Theater production has gotten rave reviews; or alternatively, see the charming confection, Enchanted April.

Yet its simply impossible to chose from among you.  So earlier this week, each name was put into a hat, and names drawn from among those of each fantastic Graycliff volunteer.

George Struebel claimed his tickets. Are YOU the winner below?

THE WINNER IS:

Nina Smeltz

Winners:  Congratulations!  To claim your tickets, please post a comment in the comment section of this blog post, saying that you'll accept.  If you have not posted by this Wednesday, September 18th  at 9:00 am, we will assume you do not wish to accept, and the next runners up will be posted.

Thank you to Sharon Metz for her generosity!

The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture

The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture is striving to preserve an 80-year tradition of training architects in the vision of its legendary founder as it comes under pressure to meet changing education standards.

Read all about the changes here, and there's a video, too: Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin

No One Claimed the Golden Tickets!

Graycliff volunteers are the greatest. 

 Each of you is dedicated, hard working, and enthusiastic.  
But Apparently, Some Aren't reading This Blog!

In recognition of your wonderful volunteer efforts, Board member Sharon Metz has donated two pairs of tickets to the Shaw Festival, in Niagara on the Lake, to two volunteers.  There are two options:  Guys and Dolls is a much beloved musical, and this Festival Theater production has gotten rave reviews; or alternatively, see the charming confection, Enchanted April.

Yet its simply impossible to chose from among you.  So earlier this week, each name was put into a hat, and names drawn from among those of each fantastic Graycliff volunteer.

The first winners didn't claim their tickets in time.  So we have two new names:

THE WINNERS ARE:

1) George Struebel
2) Elaine Hunter



Winners:  Congratulations!  To claim your tickets, please post a comment in the comment section of this blog post, saying that you'll accept.  If you have not posted by this Monday, September 16th  at 9:00 am, we will assume you do not wish to accept, and the next runners up will be posted.

Thank you to Sharon Metz for her generosity!

Frank Lloyd Wright in Puerto Rico?

                                                  

About a week ago I lead a tour that included an elderly couple who were very enthusiastic about Graycliff.  After the tour they informed me that they lived in a Frank Lloyd Wright designed house in Puerto Rico for ten years.  That amazed me because I knew of no FLW houses in Puerto Rico, although FLW and his wife travelled to PR in 1927 while he was designing Graycliff. 

So I searched a little more and found that there was an architect who worked in PR who emulated FLW's style very closely.  He was actually accused of taking and retracing FLW designs  from the Wasmuth Portfolio and putting his name on them .  The house pictured above is one of his designs.  It is Casa Roig built in 1920 for Antonio Roig.  It is actually FLW's Westcott house in Springfield which  Antonn Nechodoma copied from the Wasmuth Portfolio.  Some of his designs are outright copies of FLW and others seem to be copies only of FLW style.  The above house was saved by the University of Puerto Rico in 1984 and restored and is currently open as a museum in Humacao. If you are interested in checking how closely this architect copied/emulated FLW there is a great photo source of some of his other  buildings at  Nechodoma.tripod.com/  . Check out how closely his interiors copied Wright.   So FLW in Puerto Rico, not exactly, but they do claim that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  I wonder if FLW thought so.  Nechodoma died in a car accident a year after Frank and Olgivanna visited the island for about a two month stay.  I am sure that staying that length of time and Nechodoma being well established at that point, that FLW must have known something about him during that visit.  So, the next time you are visiting Puerto Rico, there are still some remaining FLW wannabe's  standing if you care to check them out.

So I really am happy I did not know all this when the couple lovingly told me of living in their Puerto Rican FLW house.  Their eyes grew large and they became very animated describing how wonderful it was to live in a house designed by the master.  Glad I didn't know the truth at the time.  Some bubbles are better left unburst.     

George                          

Are YOU the WINNER?????

            

Graycliff volunteers are the greatest. 

 Each of you is dedicated, hard working, and enthusiastic.  

Of course, Docents and Special Events volunteers receive the most kudos from the public, because they have direct contact with visitors.  But all Graycliff volunteers are wonderful--those who work behind the scenes (yes, Housekeeping Team, and Green Team, this does mean you...) and those on the front lines.

In recognition of your efforts, Board member Sharon Metz has donated two pairs of tickets to the Shaw Festival, in Niagara on the Lake, to two volunteers.  There are two options:  Guys and Dolls is a much beloved musical, and this Festival Theater production has gotten rave reviews; or alternatively, see the charming confection, Enchanted April.

Yet its simply impossible to chose from among you.  So this afternoon, each name has been put into a hat, and names drawn from among those of each fantastic Graycliff volunteer.

THE WINNERS ARE:

1) Carol and Jerry Wahlenmayer
2) Gail and Dave Solowski



Winners:  Congratulations!  To claim your tickets, please post a comment in the comment section of this blog post, saying that you'll accept.  If you have not posted by this Friday, September 13th (whoo whooo, Friday the 13th)  at 9:00 am, we will assume you do not wish to accept, and the next runner up will be posted.

Thank you to Sharon Metz for her generosity!

From our friend, photographer Mark Hertzberg, comes this article about the newly restored Hardy House in Racine, WI.





You can read the article here:  Frank Lloyd Wright's Hardy House

Selling a Frank Lloyd Wright Home

No, Graycliff isn't for sale...nor will it be...but there's an interesting story from the Gannett TV affiliate in Chicago on two Wright houses for sale.

See the video here: Selling a Frank Lloyd Wright Home for a peek inside two private Wright residences (and check out the non-Wright wallpaper in that one bedroom!) as well as some video of the exterior of the Guggenheim and Fallingwater.

or here's the text of the story:

CHICAGO, IL (CBS) -- A good example of the healthier housing market this summer: the sale of previously occupied or "existing" homes. They've sold at an annual pace of more than five million homes in the last three months, a first since 2007.

But one unique group of homeowners face a challenge when it comes to the market because of who designed their homes.

Frank Lloyd Wright was one of America's most famous architects. A dozen of his buildings, like the Guggenheim Museum in New York, are considered among the nation's most important modern structures. Then there are his homes. Around 280 designed by Wright are still standing. Many are house museums like the famous "Fallingwater," built on top of a waterfall, in Pennsylvania or the Robie house, a century-old example of his "prairie style," in Chicago.

Less well known are the Wright homes that are still lived in. About 20 are on the market across the country.

Juan and Claire Montenegro have lived in this Wright home in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park for the past 20 years. Their two boys are grown now, and it's time for Juan and Claire to move on.

This is the third summer they've tried to sell; original floors, original colors, wide open spaces, lots of natural light, and signature windows. These homes are iconic, so you don't mess with them. Claire says, "I think it's beautiful the way it is, and I wouldn't change a thing."

You can alter the back or sides of a Frank Lloyd Wright house, but not the front unless you want enraged preservationists showing up on your doorstep.

These homes draw special buyers but as the Montenegros have learned, even with a forested back yard and a stone's throw from Lake Michigan, they're not always an easy sell. Juan says, "I think that Frank Lloyd Wright owners make the mistake of pricing them too high at the beginning, and we were guilty of that."

Their asking price now is just over $1 million. Claire says, "The house may or may not appeal to everybody, but there is a certain segment of people that love these homes. It is a house to be lived in. It is not a museum."

Louisa McPharlin had similar run-ins growing up in this Frank Lloyd Wright house from 1892 on Chicago's south side. She says, "I would come from school and my mother would be entertaining young architects who would either write her or just knock on the door."

She's now the real estate agent looking for a buyer for this fixer-upper priced at $1.1 million. McPharlin has put on a new roof and believes Wright's reputation is a selling point. She says, "It needs a special person who will have the energy, the resources either want to use it for some wonderful plan or live in it."

The Montengros home is move-in ready, but it was built in 1906. Juan says, "Our house had leaks, but we've gone ahead and fixed it. What 100-year-old house has not leaked?"

Just part of the price for living in a piece of American history.

Louisa McPharlin, the seller of that 121-year-old Wright fixer-upper she grew up in tells us she has found a buyer who wants to turn the home into a bed and breakfast.