Buffalo Old Home Week
Buffalo Old Home Week last took place in 1907 during Buffalo’s heyday. Now, 99 years later, this remarkable celebration of Buffalo and its many treasures is back!
Invite every expat you know to return for a visit on August 24-27 to experience Buffalo’s renaissance and discover dozens of good reasons to move back to Western New York. Tours of both historic homes and excellent real estate opportunities, live local music, a job fair and progressive business opportunities, theater on the street and on the stage, regattas and other waterfront excitement, unique eating venues and foods you find only in Buffalo – four days full of everything that makes Buffalo one of the best places to live in the USA.
The Elmwood Festival of the Arts will serve as center stage for Buffalo Old Home Week on August 26-27, showcasing local artists and musicians.
There is no better time to discover how lucky you are to live here, and to show others all that Buffalo has to offer.
Note: This city-wide event is brought to you by both Buffalo Rising and Revitalize Buffalo. Photo: Left is Marti Gorman and right is Amy Maxwell. Marti is a re-pat (just moved back to Buffalo after 25 years), and Amy is the Director of Revitalize Buffalo. The two are holding a Buffalo Old Home Week program from 1907. Many of the events within the program are events that the organizers will be re-creating during the four-day-long celebration at the end of August.
Where can I get more information on Old Home Week? My wife and I are considering moving to Buffalo from Boston. Thanks.
Ken, I would check out Revitalize Buffalo's website. They should have more information.
WOW- excellent, excellent, awesome, cooooooool.
Consider this: Buffalo's First Flag, though unofficial, was designed in 1907 for this very event.
Don't you want a new one for the OHW near-centennial return?
(ok, I'm shameless, but persistant... up to 30 pledges of 50!)
Ken, the project just got underway. The best thing to do is to contact our Project Director, Marti Gorman, directly (marthagorman@att.net). We are in the beginning stages, but would love to hear from you. Revitalize Buffalo will also be a source for organizational information.
What a coincidence! I had already planned a trip to Buffalo for that weekend!!
How cool is that! I'll help spread the word and will mark my store calendar with the dates. For visitors interested in a short-term apartment to rent during the event, that week or, while transitioning a move back to Buffalo, consider:
Porter Ave Pied à Terre
http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/2005/12/a_home_away_fro.php
Elmwood Village Inn / Honu House
http://www.buffalorising.com/home/archives/2005/12/_karen_powell_r.php
Or, for a more traditional B&B experience:
Beau fleuve B&B
http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/2006/01/bf_bb_in_bflo.php
Book early, as these non-hotel options have limited apartments / rooms. Also, consider them for your Garden Walk visit! All are on the route and I have "inside info" that Porter Ave Pied à Terre address will participate again this year!
As an native Buffalonian with plans to return home to live after a 22 year absense; it's good to know that there are events like this planned for Buffalo. Thanks to all parties involved with this event.
This is awesome -- Buffalo Rising really works! Thanks for the enthusiastic response to the revival of Buffalo Old Home Week. Great idea Newell!!
We are busy getting an Old Home Week web site set up, but in the meantime please do feel free to contact me directly (marti@martigorman.org) for more information, to offer suggestions (although posting them here is great, too) and to offer to help!
I'll contact eac re the flag idea (cool!), and the concept of "billeting" expats in private homes and available apartments/houses is terrific -- we'll keep a master list and make it available to those who inquire.
Stay tuned. This event is going to rock!
I'm in, esp. if I can get the job hook up! I have looked for a job in Buffalo for two years, I even applied to Wegmans.
Ken, I relocated back to Buffalo area from Boston a year and a half ago. I was away for 20+ years. Best decision I ever made. I was lucky enough to be able to bring my job with me though. Best of luck on your eventual return.
as a re-pat myself after 20 odd years away, this sounds like a great idea!
Martin Kemp...are you the florist who did the great table design at the TR Site this weekend? I love it! Glad you're back!
Bringing back our friends and family is an inspired idea!
Left WNY almost 15 years ago and never regretted it. I have great memories of Buffalo and WNY but the area in those old memories no longer exist. We left due to the terrible economy and lousy job opportunities and the totally out of hand tax situation that is making the ecomomy in the region worse. It has only become worse since our departure, in th 2/28 Buffalo News there is an article on the terrible financial situation the city is in and that teh city might not even be viable in less than a decade, plus other tell tale articles on the closing and merger of churches resulting from the population loss. These and may other things I have read tell me ther area is not rebounding. One would have to have their head examined to even consider moving back, yes ther weatehr is lousy and you will be robbed for high taxes for the priveledge of a private sector ecomy in a tail spin.
Long Gone...you aren't missed.
Really excited about this event. I will be there and invite friends that moved away to consider attending. Great idea and the events are going to be awesome. Keep up the great work!
It's exciting to witness the online passion and development in the streets (via photos/verbal pictures).
I left Bflo in 1980 returning for one period 1990-1995. Reason: There has to be more. Well there is and there isn't.
Go ahead and leave too. Yes there are boom towns and the jobs that follow. And yes, there are warmer/sunnier regions. But they come at a heavy price: long commutes, stress, out of reach home prices, little sense of real place or history...and near year-long air conditioning bills that are higher than several months of heating bills.
I've lived in Austin, Virginia Beach, San Francisco, and now San Diego. All have positives and are attractive on various levels, but none can match the core charm that is Buffalo: not too big, no malls and short on strip plazas, "no illusions" mentality, four seasons, a rich arts/cultural community in an architectural dream place, and most importantly, home to families going back generations.
When the fastest/hottest cities' water runs out, traffic strangles your patience, and a 800ft place is $500,000--like now or not that far away---the boom towns will burn out. Live in soul-less Las Vegas, or tan your way to wrinkles, while Buffalo(will be)Rising again.
I look to sell and see you all in Fall 06/Spring 07.