Karpeles Manuscript
Library Museum: The First Church of Christ,
Scientist, at 220 North Street, was built in 1911. The congregation now owns two buildings in
the area: a reading room at 495 Main Street and a
church in Kenmore on Myron Avenue.
Two Baptist congregations have owned
this building since the First
Church of Christ, Scientist sold the building.
The second congregation, the Christian Fellowship,
purchased the building c.1984. Plans (as of March
2004) are for this congregation to vacate the building
in June of 2004.
The nationwide Karpeles
Manuscript Museum is presently located in six
cities other than Buffalo. The Museum purchased its
first Buffalo building , originally the Plymouth
Methodist Church, located nearby at 453 Porter
Avenue, in 1995.
David Karpeles was also interested in
purchasing 220 North Street as a second location, but
it was not for sale in 1995. He attempted to purchase
it in 2001, but, again, it was not for sale. His third
attempt, in September of 2003, however, was
successful.
The 453 Porter site will remain the
primary exhibit space for the circulating Karpeles
collection of over one million manuscripts. The North
Street building will be used as additional exhibit
space, sometimes supplementing current events (e.g.,
Mars photos) or other area museum (e.g., The
Albright-Knox or the Burchfield-Penney) exhibits. One
planned exhibit for 2004 will be Dr. V. Roger Lalli's
42 original "Buffalo:
My City" watercolors.
Another use of the North Street museum
will be dedicated space on the second floor (currently
referred to as the "Blue
Room") for Buffalo State College students
earning their bachelor's or master's degres in museum
studies. The Porter Avenue site also has dedicated
space for the program. Students will curate their own
exhibits.
The North Street site will probably be
available as rental space for weddings, etc.
Current plans are to remove about two
thirds of the pews in the church. The remaining
seating, for about 400, will be used for concerts,
lectures, etc. The 1913 Moller organ is in fine
condition and organ concerts are planned. (The Porter
site also houses an organ, but about 600 working pipes
are missing.)
Admission to both museums will continue
to be free.
See history and photos of the Porter Street
site. See the Buffalo
Karpeles Manuscript Museum official home page
for information about the museum.
