February 1996 Table Of Contents
Party line: Preservation is good for tourism, which is good for Buffalo
By Marge Thielman Hastreiter
State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt , whose district contains probably the richest collection of architecture in upstate New York (defining works by Wright, Richardson, and the Saarinens, and Frederick Law Olmsted, plus several preservation districts – but who’s bragging?) addressed the Preservation Coalition’s annual holiday party on the virtues of heritage tourism and his current concerns.
The Assemblyman said heritage tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the country and that Buffalo is well-positioned to capitalize on that. He stated his happiness to see the Martin House was finally getting some needed attention, while lamenting that it was ‘ignored’ for so long. Hoyt also vowed to continue his efforts on behalf of the Richardson buildings at the Buffalo State Hospital.
Hoyt further congratulated the Coalition on work in preserving landmarks and its educational efforts, singling out the Preservation Report.
All this happened as the lightest of snows was falling on the evening of December 7, as the Preservation Coalition of Erie County held its ninth annual Holiday Party. The snow didn’t bother those gathered that evening at the Plymouth Methodist Church. This long-neglected edifice is surrounded by Kleinhan’s Music Hall, the city’s oldest firehouse, Engine #2, the First Presbyterian Church, the impossibly grand Grover Cleveland High School and scores of substantial Victorian houses.
Several of the houses were decked out in holiday finery, casting brightly colored light upon the church. (We can only assume the residents had decked their halls as well.)
The beauty of the city outside was matched by the sights one observed upon entering the 1911 church. The cavernous vestry contains an impressive pipe organ, two-tiered lantern and several balconies. Beautiful stained glass windows command the entire room.
Members of the Coalition, and generously paying guests (it was a fund-raiser), and elected officials gathered around huge buffet tables set with holiday greenery and candles. A large variety of sandwiches, crackers, cheese, and dips tempted the party-goers. A punch table along with coffee and desserts completed the menu.
The Book Revue of Hertel Avenue sold books to benefit the Coalition. Topic Café of Allen Street provided coffee which Harvey Keitel and John Travolta would have loved, as well as chocolate covered expresso beans, which caused a buzz.
James Pitts, newly elected Common Council President, was in attendance and was the first to receive a snappy “I am a preservationist” hat. As he donned his new topper, he expressed that “I have been a supporter from Day One.”
Joan E. Bozer, Erie County Legislator preservation crusader, presented a resolution regarding her Twenty-First Century Landmark Preservation Bond Act. She also got a hat, which unfortunately could not be bronzed in time.
Other officials in attendance also received the newly designed hat–either by virtue of past deeds or on their own recognizance. They were Council members Franczyk, Czajka, and Coppola, County Legislators Greg Olma and Crystal Peoples, County Legislator-elect Judith Fisher, Assemblyman Richard Anderson, and a representative from State Senator Mary Lou Rath’s office.
Larry Bartz, who was hired to oversee the renovation of Plymouth Methodist into a manuscript storage and display facility, closed out the program. He told the story of how the landmark came to be purchased by manuscript collector David Karpeles. “Karpeles plans to use the church for part of his vast collection,” Bartz stated, “and when the restoration is complete, the library will be open to the public.”
Bartz pointed out work that had been completed, contrasting it with areas yet to be started, and introduced the plasterers and woodworkers. (One worker is using equipment inherited from a grandfather, who used it as a craftsman at Pierce Arrow Motorcar.)
With the buffet tables substantially shed of their burden, the books being packed away, and folks bundling up against the crisp night, all sensed the specialness of the place, one of beauty on the inside and the outside. And how blessed they were that what snow fell was not enough to powder a donut.
The 38 inches would come a few days later.
