Roycroft Conference

A few volunteers are needed to sell FLW Quarterlies at this year's Roycroft Conference on Sat., Oct. 17th. 

Dirk Schneider and Scott Selin from CJS Architects will be doing a presentation on Graycliff’s restoration on Oct. 17 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.  We plan to sell FLW Quarterlies at a table outside the talk.  The Quarterly includes an article by these two gentleman about Graycliff.  The Quarterly costs $6.  We plan on accepting cash only, no charges.

Here is a link to more information about the conference:

Roycroft Conference

If you can assist with this, please let one of the Volunteer Coordinators know as soon as possible:
Phyllis Spears
Amy Picinich

The CJS speakers will also be giving their presentation on November 4^th at 7:00 PM at the Burchfield Penney Art Center as part of the Graycliff Roundtable.  Volunteers will also be needed to cover that event, so please let us know if you can assist.

Reclaimed wood floors at Graycliff

In the past 15 years, reclaimed timber has become a growing environmental cachet.

Logs recovered from lakes or rivers by divers, ”sunken timber,” are described as logs that were lost on their way to a mill, or forgotten in a holding pond.

The logs used for Graycliff’s floor restoration were underwater for more than 100 years, before being reclaimed. Graycliff’s cypress was sourced from the company, Sinker Treasurers, of Freeport, FL.

This is unique to Graycliff, states Rebecca Master, Project Manager from BRD. "There were many details to be historically accurate. The thickness, width, and length of the new boards had to be precise, which caused some issues for Sinker Treasures. It took them extra time to find logs large enough to accommodate the 10-1/8” width of the boards. Each board had to be face-nailed in place at particular locations to match the old flooring, and then the nail heads were covered with cypress plugs.“

There is a richer patina, and more character in old wood versus the newly milled. Antique woods can have more than 30 growth rings per inch, compared to a new growth tree. Often, they stand up better to foot traffic as they have been absent of oxygen and that makes it like a time capsule for recovered logs.

Reference for further readings:
www.oldhousejournal.com (Jan/Feb 2001)
www.swamploggers.com

“We came back, and we're glad we did!”

Review of Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff  on TripAdvisor---kudos to Kathy, and all docents who lead such inspiring tours!  

 “We came back, and we're glad we did!”  

Toronto

Reviewed September 15, 2015 NEW

OK, I know, that was a commercial for something a long time ago. But we visited Graycliff for the first time in 2011 and were impressed. Tripping to Buffalo again, contacted them to see what's been happening since, and they replied "A lot!".

And there was lots new when we stopped in again for the 2 hour tour.

Docent Kathy was very good. Big picture of the Martins and their role/position in Buffalo of the day. Backstory of the 'summer home' on the lake.

And a very comprehensive tour pointing out the meticulous renovations, including those that happened since our last visit like refinishing the main floor, landscaping, "misting" fire suppression system, etc.

If you're a Wright fan, this is a must see! And if you're not a 'fan', well, it's more than worth a couple of hours to check this out, see this pretty unique blend of Usonian and Prairie, learn about Wright's vision for the site on the lake, and see how it was realized.

With a lot of knowledge of Wright's strong design philosophy and his reputation for being, well, a bit stubborn ... was interesting to hear Kathy point out some of the details where he 'gave in' to his clients' preferences ... and where he didn't!!

Still lots of restoration to do, but this place is shaping up to be another gem! And that's why we rated "Excellent".

We're glad we came back! And count on us swinging by again in a few years to see more progress!

Visited September 2015

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g47595-d560654-r310745666-Frank_Lloyd_Wright_s_Graycliff-Derby_New_York.html#

New Docents

They have been  among us fall Summer, but it has been such a busy season that we had not until now taken the time to introduce the new docents from this years training class.  Eileen Blackman and I, as Docent Trainers ran a training class through later April, May and June with the help of a number of you who contributed your efforts.  Many thanks to ; Anita Mitchell, Patrick Mahoney, Marion Schmidt,  Nel Gardener, and Marcy Workman.

We started with a group of eight trainees and ended the training proudly certifying four docents to add to our ranks.  Those four are Valerie Meldrim, Denise O'Shei, Susan Nickson, and Marianne Myles.  We hope you will introduce yourselves to them when they are on site and make them feel a  part of the Graycliff family and we happily welcome them all to our esteemed ranks.

I would like to request a favor from all of you; we need new docents and we need to actively recruit them from friends, relatives, or neighbors who you feel might be a good fit for our mission.  We will be running another training class in Spring and we would like to start recruiting now in an active manner to insure we have a large group since the success rate of docents who begin training to those who complete it averages about half.  So please search out people who you think would make a good docent and forward me their names and contact info and we will work hard to make them one of us.  My contact as always is gds2146@Hotmail.com, or 631-8717. Many thanks, George Struebel

Graycliff in the News, and more...

In today's Buffalo News, with a large photo gallery as well:

100 Things every Western New Yorker should do at least once: Graycliff

When designing Graycliff, Frank Lloyd Wright sought to emphasize water and nature

 

 

 

Thanks to Maureen Meyers for doing such a stellar job on her tour (the reporter and photographer took a regularly scheduled tour.)  100 Things Buffalo News

 

 

 

Congratulations to Jerry and Carol Wahlenmayer on their 50th Anniversary, also as seen in the Buffalo News recently:

 

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Wahlenmayer of Derby celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a weeklong stay on Seneca Lake with their children and grandchildren from Pittsburgh and Hillsborough, N.C. Mr. Wahlenmayer and the former Carol Williams were married June 26, 1965, in Salem Lutheran Church in Springville.  He is a former teacher at the Orchard Park High School. She is a former teacher at West Seneca and Orchard Park schools. Both are docents at the Graycliff Conservancy. They have two children and two grandchildren.

 

Sad News...

Long time Graycliffian and a founding Graycliff Board member Clifford Whitman died on July 28th. Cliff was particularly active with the Green Team, and worked closely with volunteers on the pond and grounds.  A memorial service will be held at Graycliff this coming Sunday, August 2, 2015, at 4:30 pm.  Here's the notice from the Buffalo News today:

WHITMAN - Clifford Edward July 28, 2015. Beloved father of Megan (Paul Allen) Whitman, Lisa Whitman and Ricky Briggs; former husband of Karen Whitman; dear brother of the late Donald Whitman; also survived by a niece and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at Graycliff, 6472 Old Lakeshore Road, Derby, NY 14047 on Sunday, August 2nd at 4:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his memory to the Graycliff Conservancy, Inc., or a charity of donor's choice.

Cliff Whitman at American Scholar Day on August 31, 2007

Some Recent Reviews from Trip Advisor!

Thanks to all dedicated Graycliff volunteers----Historic Housekeeping, Green Team, Docents, Chaperones and all---Graycliff is receiving a great deal of appreciation from visitors this summer.  It's because of your hard work and dedication that our visitors--from near and far-- have such a wonderful experience at Graycliff.  Take a look at some recent reviews on Trip Advisor!

 

kitty k

Santa Rosa, California

“Perfect companion to Buffalo's Martin House”

Reviewed July 16, 2015 NEW

It's a one of a kind experience to see 2 Frank Lloyd houses designed for the same person in one day. This house is a lake house with a beautiful setting. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and the history of the house is fascinating. It's still being renovated, but that's part of the interest. A variety of tours are offered. The one hour tour that I took was marred by rude people who talked and refused to turn off their cell phones. It was a larger than normal group according to the guide, so i was disappointed that that strict limit had not been adhered to. The 2 hour tour might have more attentive guests as it costs more.

Visited July 2015

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g47595-d560654-r289654678-Frank_Lloyd_Wright_s_Graycliff-Derby_New_York.html#

 

Boystowtraveler

Chciago

 

 

“The other Darwin Martin House”

Reviewed July 13, 2015 NEW

Located on the shores of Lake Erie is the summer mansion of Darwin Martin. It's about 30-40 minutes southwest of the main Martin house in Buffalo, but a nice compliment to a day's tour of both residences. The outside is glorious and as you walk up to see it, you know that you are in for something special. It is rich in history. However, do not expect the interior restoration to be equal to that of the Martin house in Buffalo. It needs quite a bit of work. If you enjoy this type of tour, make sure you go for the 2 hour one. As one person here has described, it is a gem.

Visited June 2015

 

 

Mcmor

Los Angeles, CA

 

“A Buffalo bonus!”

Reviewed July 8, 2015

This rustic summer "cottage" is nowhere near as special a property as the nearby Darwin Martin House; however, there are still lots of fascinating Frank Lloyd Wright touches throughout. The house is in the early stages of restoration, so it takes a lot of imagination to picture what it looked like in its heyday, but we found the one-hour basic tour to be interesting and informative.

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Visited June 2015

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Muddywaters67

Derby, New York

 

“Gem on the Lake”

Reviewed July 8, 2015

The tour guides give an interesting and detailed view of this lovely summer home of a bygone time. It is a work in progress but the grounds are beautiful. And the view over Lake Erie all the way to Canada is breathtaking.
I live close by and have had the opportunity to go on a number of tours with various guides and have learned something new each time.

Visited June 2015

 

 

TTTravels

Mississauga, Canada

 

“A Great House and Tour”

Reviewed July 8, 2015

After touring the Darwin Martin House in Buffalo last year, we wanted to see the Martins' summer home on Lake Erie - so took an opportunity for a road trip from Mississauaga to visit. In my opinion - the tour was even better coming AFTER seeing the Darwin Martin house first. The docent was knowledgeable and was able to point out differences in Wright's point of perspective and time in his career while designing Graycliff. As with the house in the city - we took the 2 hour extended tour and it was worth it! Next? We plan to take another road trip to Pittsburgh to visit Falling Waters.

Visited July 2015

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g47595-d560654-r289654678-Frank_Lloyd_Wright_s_Graycliff-Derby_New_York.html#