Short Histories of
Not-for-Profit Preservation Organizations in
Buffalo, NY - Table of Contents
Landmark Society of
the Niagara Frontier - A Short History
Existence: 1969 - Founded as independent organization by Tony Fryer 1969? - Became chapter of the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society which provided administrative support and the use of its facilities 1989 - BECHS affiliation terminated. New location: Coit House |
Reason for Formation: Grew out of concern for
preserving Buffalo's oldest post-War of 1812 residence, the c. 1815
Coit House. |
Mission: Enhancing Appreciation of Built and Natural Landmarks through Advocacy and Education. 1991 - Statement of Purpose |
Some of the leaders: Founders: Appleton "Tony" FryerLater Board members: John BozerBoard Presidents: Austin FoxExecutive Directors: Appleton "Tony" FryerLandmark Society representative to the City of Buffalo Preservation Board Richard Baer1993 Personnel |
Operation: 2002-2007, grew a $50,000 endowment fund into a $135,000 endowment fund, $100,000 of which was placed in the Community Foundation, and the remaining $35,000 used for transitioning costs when the Landmark Society merged with the Preservation Coalition to form Preservation Buffalo Niagara. (Dennis Galucki) Annual Preservation Awards luncheons. (Maura Cohen) Disseminated information about tax credits to a reluctant developer community through seminars and newsletter. (Ramona Whitaker, newsletter) Tuesday spring and fall lecture series in the Market Arcade. (Dennis Galucki) Weekday City Hall walking tour, later merged with the Preservation Coalition walking tours, an example of collaboration that proved useful in convincing the two boards to merge. (Dennis Galucki) Collaborated with Buffalo Riverkeeper in Landmark Society office space. (Dennis Galucki) Awarded a permanent seat on the Preservation Board (Richard Baer, representative) |
Accomplishments: Acquired and preserved Hull House until Landmark Society Board member Gary Costello raised $1,000,000 for a spin off in December 2006. Acquired covenants on some of the City’s most important historic structures including the Guaranty Building and four 19th Century houses on Washington Street Downtown Signage project in Downtown Buffalo, with funding from the Community Foundation. (Louise McClive, Ramona Whitaker, Dennis Galucki) Funded survey of Olmsted Park system in preparation for the listing of the entire system as a National Landmark. Acquired a Martin House window at a Christie's auction (John Conlin) Published book on shel Published book on Oakland Place: "Oakland Place: Gracious Living in Buffalo," by Martin Wachadlo and Chuck LaChiusa Printed a series of large posters on Buffalo landmarks Raised money to purchase two of the beautiful wisteria entry windows that were removed from the Darwin Martin House and were up for auction at Christy’s Developed a successful downtown marker effort and regional plaque program to educate the public throughout the region on important historic structures and sites including the Buffalo Lighthouse, UB’s Hayes Hall, DAR Chapter House and many other sites Led a public outcry, (greatly assisted by Joan Bozer) that helped save the Old Post Office which now successfully houses ECC’s downtown campus Buildings Saved with the Aid of Landmark Society Advocacy: Williams-Pratt House Spin offs: Coit House (Henry & Linda Priebe) Center for the Study of Art, Architecture, History and Nature (Dennis Galucki) |
Additional online information: 1989, 1992 - Committees 1992-1993 - Activities and Events 1993 - Report to the Board of Trustees 1993-1996 - Sample tour flyers 1997 - Alan McCarthy obituary (online April 2020) 2005 - Appleton Fryer, Founding of Landmark Society Inextricably Linked to Saving Coit House 2005 - Buffalo Rising, The Nature of the Niagara Frontier (online April 2020) 2006 - "The Landmarker" newsletter, Fall/Winter 2006-2007 2008 - Blythe Merrill, History of LSNF and Pres Co Speech 2010 - Francis R. Kowsky, A Tribute to Olaf William Shelgren Jr. 2013 - John J. Phelan obituary (online April 2020) 2016 - WNY History, A Martin House Story (online April 2020) 2019 - William Koch obituary (online April 2020) William "Beau" Van Schoohoven obituary (online April 2020) Surveys and Nominations by Clinton Brown Company Architecture/Rebuild Francis R. Kowsky on the Web Austin Fox on Buffalo Architecture & History website |
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by Chuck LaChiusa in 2020
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