Buffalo: A Pleasant Surprise for the Jacksonian Traveller II

Buffalo: A Pleasant Surprise for the Jacksonian Traveller (Part II)

About a 45-minute walk from Albright-Knox are three homes, designed by Wright. Although the sky was overcast, I was able to snap some acceptable photos of the three structures. First is the Martin House, 125 Jewett Parkway:

The Darwin D. Martin House photograph
The Darwin D. Martin House (Circa. 1904)

The Martin House has experienced a long period of abuse. After Darwin Martin's death, the house was sold by the City of Buffalo for taxes. One of the adjoining buildings, connected to the main house by a walkway, was torn down by one of the owners, who built apartments in their place. The house was used by the State University of New York at Buffalo for its president's home and then as the University Archives. The terra cotta roof was replaced by composition roofing. The University, the State of New York and The Martin House Restoration Corporation (MHRC), a non-profit corporation established for that purpose, are now cooperating to restore the house, a project that is estimated to cost in excess of $25 million.

MHRC sponsors a web site with a complete history of the house and surroundings. Click here to go to the site.

Around the corner from the Martin House is the George Barton House, 118 Summit Ave, built shortly before the Martin House. Barton was married to Martin's sister, Delta. The house is considerably smaller than the Martin House, but still has four bedrooms and a bath on the second floor. It has been continuously occupied since its completion and is completely intact as far as the interior wood and art glass.

The George Barton House (1903)

Also located near the Martin is the Gardener's Cottage, 285 Woodward Ave, designed by Wright and constructed in 1908. It has been extensively but tastefully remodeled and is a private residence.

The Gardner's Cottage
The Gardener's Cottage

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