At least once a month I read that something is "Buffalo's Best-Kept Secret."
Although many organizations, shops, venues (even people!) have been labeled "Buffalo's Best-Kept Secret," I think that title should legitimately go to that outstanding yet little-heralded organization, the Matt Urban Center. And if you know anything about their work, you would likely agree with me. Yet it's a title they are eagerly and actively looking to shed. Not the "best" part, of course -- the "secret" part.
As Executive Director Marlies Wesolowski told me on a recent tour, folks who become familiar with the Center and all that they're doing around Buffalo's east side -- and even into Cheektowaga -- are always saying, "Oh, you're Buffalo's best-kept secret!" She and her board decided it was time to change that.
And you can help the Matt Urban Center can become even better known -- it won't cost you a dime and I promise you an outstanding and heartwarming experience. Just stop by for one of their upcoming, free tours -- really, almost like a guided open house. I got a look myself on one of the coldest days of our past winter -- see photos in this article -- but you can get a tour during our lovely spring weather. Dates and times are below -- including a morning and afternoon tour this Tuesday, April 19.
The Matt Urban Center is just a block from the Broadway Market, and right around the corner from Corpus Christi Church and the Buffalo Central Terminal. As you know from reading Buffalo Rising, Broadway-Fillmore Alive!, and Christina Abt's recent articles on the Broadway Market, there has been a ramp-up in discussion about the revival of the surrounding neighborhood.
There's been renewed discussion of the future of the Broadway Market, the Despensata effort to rehab buildings (see this month's Buffalo Spree item, "Power to Polonia"), the Central Terminal Master Plan, the Wilson Street Farm (and CUFF), the restoration of Corpus Christi Church, the Urban Habitat Project -- the list could go on. Through it all, the Matt Urban Center has been an anchor for the neighborhood, and a firm foundation stone on which to build the revival.
The Matt Urban Center also has the unique role of caretaker of one of Polonia's most significant heritage buildings: the Dom Polski (or Polish House). The Center proudly displays heritage items and artwork from the collection of the former Polish Community Center, and the Joseph C. Mazur Gallery.
Some history of the building, and its transition to the Matt Urban Center can be found on the Center's web site:
The Polish Community Center's site at 1081 Broadway was built in 1905 as a Dom Polski (Polish Home) Club. Throughout the years the building saw many changes including retail space on the first floor, while maintaining the social club's presence above.
In 1976 The Polish Community Center of Buffalo (PCCB) was incorporated as a cultural/service organization. In the last 32 years, the Center has grown into the multi-faceted human service organization that exists today . It now operates five sites and employs nearly 40 people. On November 11, 2000, the PCCB officially changed its name to the "Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center of Western New York" (the Matt Urban Center) and rededicated its mission to serve the needs of the diverse surrounding community under a new corporate identity. By taking the name of Lt. Col. Matt Urban, the PCCB paid honor to the most decorated war veteran in American history, who was born and raised in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood.
The Dom Polski building was designed, appropriately enough, by Buffalo's most significant Polish-American architect, Wladyslaw Zawadzki. Zawadzki primarily designed ecclesiastical buildings for the Polish and eastern-European communities in Buffalo. Check out Broadway-Fillmore Alive for more about the building and this extraordinary architect. And speaking of well-kept "secrets," I'm discovering more and more that Buffalo has been home to architects, particularly ecclesiastical, who -- like Zawadzki -- have done truly extraordinary work yet are largely unknown. Others include Gothicist Calvin Otis and Chester Oakley, best known for Blessed Trinity on Leroy.
With the upcoming tours of the Matt Urban Center, you can get a great look not only at this outstanding building, but at the people and programs that make the Center truly Buffalo's Best-Kept Secret. And you can help get the secret out!
FREE TOURS OF THE MATT URBAN CENTER
Tour dates: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 or Thursday, May 5, 2011
Morning Tours start at 8:00AM and end at 9:00AM
Afternoon Tours start at 12Noon and end at 1:00PM
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP if possible to Essence Sweat at 893-7222 x231.
Get connected:
Matt Urban Center
1081 Broadway
Buffalo, NY 14212
893-7222
http://www.urbanctr.org/
Image Credits: Chris Byrd, Broadway-Fillmore Alive! (entry), RaChaCha (others)
View image
Although many organizations, shops, venues (even people!) have been labeled "Buffalo's Best-Kept Secret," I think that title should legitimately go to that outstanding yet little-heralded organization, the Matt Urban Center. And if you know anything about their work, you would likely agree with me. Yet it's a title they are eagerly and actively looking to shed. Not the "best" part, of course -- the "secret" part.
As Executive Director Marlies Wesolowski told me on a recent tour, folks who become familiar with the Center and all that they're doing around Buffalo's east side -- and even into Cheektowaga -- are always saying, "Oh, you're Buffalo's best-kept secret!" She and her board decided it was time to change that.
And you can help the Matt Urban Center can become even better known -- it won't cost you a dime and I promise you an outstanding and heartwarming experience. Just stop by for one of their upcoming, free tours -- really, almost like a guided open house. I got a look myself on one of the coldest days of our past winter -- see photos in this article -- but you can get a tour during our lovely spring weather. Dates and times are below -- including a morning and afternoon tour this Tuesday, April 19.
The Matt Urban Center is just a block from the Broadway Market, and right around the corner from Corpus Christi Church and the Buffalo Central Terminal. As you know from reading Buffalo Rising, Broadway-Fillmore Alive!, and Christina Abt's recent articles on the Broadway Market, there has been a ramp-up in discussion about the revival of the surrounding neighborhood.
There's been renewed discussion of the future of the Broadway Market, the Despensata effort to rehab buildings (see this month's Buffalo Spree item, "Power to Polonia"), the Central Terminal Master Plan, the Wilson Street Farm (and CUFF), the restoration of Corpus Christi Church, the Urban Habitat Project -- the list could go on. Through it all, the Matt Urban Center has been an anchor for the neighborhood, and a firm foundation stone on which to build the revival.
The Matt Urban Center also has the unique role of caretaker of one of Polonia's most significant heritage buildings: the Dom Polski (or Polish House). The Center proudly displays heritage items and artwork from the collection of the former Polish Community Center, and the Joseph C. Mazur Gallery.
Some history of the building, and its transition to the Matt Urban Center can be found on the Center's web site:
The Polish Community Center's site at 1081 Broadway was built in 1905 as a Dom Polski (Polish Home) Club. Throughout the years the building saw many changes including retail space on the first floor, while maintaining the social club's presence above.
In 1976 The Polish Community Center of Buffalo (PCCB) was incorporated as a cultural/service organization. In the last 32 years, the Center has grown into the multi-faceted human service organization that exists today . It now operates five sites and employs nearly 40 people. On November 11, 2000, the PCCB officially changed its name to the "Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center of Western New York" (the Matt Urban Center) and rededicated its mission to serve the needs of the diverse surrounding community under a new corporate identity. By taking the name of Lt. Col. Matt Urban, the PCCB paid honor to the most decorated war veteran in American history, who was born and raised in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood.
The Dom Polski building was designed, appropriately enough, by Buffalo's most significant Polish-American architect, Wladyslaw Zawadzki. Zawadzki primarily designed ecclesiastical buildings for the Polish and eastern-European communities in Buffalo. Check out Broadway-Fillmore Alive for more about the building and this extraordinary architect. And speaking of well-kept "secrets," I'm discovering more and more that Buffalo has been home to architects, particularly ecclesiastical, who -- like Zawadzki -- have done truly extraordinary work yet are largely unknown. Others include Gothicist Calvin Otis and Chester Oakley, best known for Blessed Trinity on Leroy.
With the upcoming tours of the Matt Urban Center, you can get a great look not only at this outstanding building, but at the people and programs that make the Center truly Buffalo's Best-Kept Secret. And you can help get the secret out!FREE TOURS OF THE MATT URBAN CENTER
Tour dates: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 or Thursday, May 5, 2011
Morning Tours start at 8:00AM and end at 9:00AM
Afternoon Tours start at 12Noon and end at 1:00PM
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP if possible to Essence Sweat at 893-7222 x231.
Get connected:
Matt Urban Center
1081 Broadway
Buffalo, NY 14212
893-7222
http://www.urbanctr.org/
Image Credits: Chris Byrd, Broadway-Fillmore Alive! (entry), RaChaCha (others)
Fabulous-thanks for the info and awareness-building of going's-on in this district. I am encouraged by the increase in activity in the area, which is definitely one of Buffalo's most at-risk. I think group tours of cultural, architectural and urban pioneer assets (from the Terminal to the churches to the farms) can only help the area. It would be great to see the CVB ramp up promotions of the area, maybe in the form of packages (similar to the grouped church visits.)
Right on. I got my first look at much of Polonia on a tour with guide extraordinaire (and Polonia native) Peter Fillim.