The latest phase of the Darwin Martin House restoration is in full swing. Much of the current work is expected to be completed in time for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference in October. Eric Jackson-Forsberg, the Martin House curator, was nice enough to take time out of his busy schedule recently to give a tour of the house for Buffalo Rising. Eric has been curator for eight years and is very passionate about the Martin House. He half-jokingly said, "What we're doing here feels like atonement for the Larkin Building."
This visit was my sixth time through the complex and the impact of Wright's genius has not lessened one bit. It was very strange to see the state of the interior of the main house because it is currently being deconstructed and restored as part Phase V of the project.
This phase of the project includes the installation of new mechanicals in the main house including electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and fire monitoring/suppression systems. Work will be completed later this year. Phase V-B of the project will focus on the extensive interior wood trim, plaster, and paint finishes, and exterior site-work. This highly specialized and detail-oriented work will complete restoration of the main Martin House to its appearance of 1907. Total cost for this phase of work is estimated at $11 million.
There is additional work planned including the more than $3 million cost to refurnish the house including installation of recreated and original art glass. The funding for the restoration work to date is split almost equally between public and private funding.
Many of the interior spaces have been stripped of the ornamental woodwork (stored away safely) revealing the inner infrastructure of the house. Eric says that the wood alone, lined up end-to-end, is close to eight miles long. Every piece which is removed is cataloged and put into safe storage so at the time of reconstruction every piece will back to its proper location.
The interior will be restored to the period of significance in 1907 which was the year of completion and any alterations made over time have been undone, returning it to Wright's original design. Perhaps the most challenging aspects about the restoration has been accurately replicating historic elements which have been lost or are in private collections. Thankfully many of the original pieces have been located to create accurate reproductions for the house if the originals are too expensive or not available for purchase.
One of the most painful losses of the original art glass were the greenhouse windows. Although now they have been reconstructed, the original windows of the greenhouse were mostly lost and only a handful survived. Eric shared a story 
that an elderly man recalled watching the demolition of the original greenhouse in the 1960s and noted the beautiful windows were used as traction pads for the demolition vehicles.
The Martin House continues to bring in tourists throughout the year although the numbers do fluctuate depending on the season. When the National Trust comes in October, they are expecting about 2,000 visitors which is significant, not just for the number, but because many of them will be from out of town. Eric says that for every visitor to the Martin House, that person influences twenty other people to visit.
Yearly visitation in recent years has been more than 25,000 visitors, 65 percent of which are from outside the region. When the Martin House is completed, independent consultants' research predicts that it will attract up to 84,000 visitors annually. At mid-range of anticipated visitation, the Martin House activities will generate a totally annual impact of $17.6 million in economic output, of which $8.34 million will be earnings and wages of 198 workers. After everything is completed and fully operational, the investment in the Martin House is expected to pay for itself within three to five years.
The new bricks of the Pergola (left) contrasting with the original bricks of the Martin House (right)
Some more interior work in the main house revealed Wright's original earth tone colors
Statue of Nike and the reproduced art glass doors
I suspect that the DMH folks are feeling some pressure about the amount of funds going into the (re)development, therefore the statement: "Martin House activities will generate a totally annual impact of $17.6 million in economic output, of which $8.34 million will be earnings and wages of 198 workers. After everything is completed and fully operational, the investment in the Martin House is expected to pay for itself within three to five years."
I believe this to be true, and I also think the job they are undertaking is nothing short of miraculous. The DMH is, and will be, a true treasure for, and draw to, the region (the last time I visited, I was the ONLY American out of a group of 15 people!)
However, per my earlier posts, I do hope the DMH does what it can to help other struggling cultural org's in Buffalo right now...whose fate hang in the balance. Little things: cross promote, use of the facility for fundraisers, etc.
Well said!