Detailing The Calvert Vaux Band Stand
After featuring an article on the Calvert Vaux band shell in the current print issue of Buffalo Rising Magazine I received a phone call from Michael Giallombardo. He told me a great story about how his brother Sal had acquired a house in Allentown that had once been the studio of Buffalo photographer Howard Beach. Ever since, the two brothers have been cataloging the plates (mostly portraits). Every once in a while the two would come across an image of Buffalo that they (and others) had never come across before. During Howard Beach's lifetime he had compiled many plates from two other local photographers by the last name of Hall and Simpson. "It's not clear who took some of the photos," Michael told me. "But there is one that shows the Calvert Vaux band shell clear as day."
I told Michael that I would be interested in seeing the image, so the two of us met up (minutes ago) at Caffe Aroma on Elmwood. He had with him a photograph that shows rich detail of the structure found on Hoyt Lake. In the photo it is easy to see all of the detail from the roof tiles to the railing to the two old gas lanterns that sit out by the water. This photo also shows just where the band shell stood in relation to the Historical Society. Even the nearby bridge is shown (more on that later) with its magnificent lion sculptures guarding each of the four corners. This detailed photograph is exactly what Keven Gaughan has been looking in order to continue on with his proposal to the Mortimer Levitt Foundation.
Photo from the collection of Sal Giallombardo
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TBone
Is that a gondola in the picture? Wouldn't it be nice to have a few of those for rides around Hoyt lake, and perhaps eve down the Scajaquada as well?!
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sbrof
I always loved the details that Vaux put into this buildings / park features. There are just fabulous pictures of benches shelters that really give an almost gothic quality that plays well off of the natural organic landscape. The lakeview shelter in front park was amazing. I can guarantee that if rebuilt this shelter, used or band or whatever would become a must see in the park.
It also amazes me how things keep "popping" up. Historic images, newspapers in these homes that no one knew existed but provide such clear glimpses into our collective past. I wonder how much history has been lost in the rampant demolitions that happen every day or in the next 5000 structures that are planned to be demolished.
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chris69
Take a look at the old Broadway Market.....I believe that was a Calvert Veaux also. The broadway market would be wise to consider redesigning the exterior to reflect the Calvert Veaux origin.....so it can really be embrace its historical role.
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comptart_lws
That's fabulous! I hope Michael and Sal will get in touch with Olmsted Parks Conservancy. They presented the 20-year plan last night and I am sure Robert Schibley would love to have this image for reference material! Anything from Porter Avenue in that archive???
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mcn29
VERY INTERESTED
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mcn29
Very interested in work by Howard Beach. As a docent at the Darwin Martin House I have been doing research on this local photographer. By any chance are there any photo plates of the Martin family?
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chris69
I just want to make a comment here about Delaware Park and Hoyt Lake regarding the Shakespeare Festival and the possibility of rebuilding the band shell.
Anyone driving along the Delaware "S" Curve between Forest Lawn and Delaware Park knows that this side of the lake is NEVER EVER USED.
IT WOULD BE NICE IF SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK AND THE CALVERT VEAUX BAND SHELL WERE LOCATED ON THIS SIDE OF HOYT LAKE AND DELAWARE PARK. WE NEED TO FIND WAYS TO USE THE RARELY USED SECTIONS OF THE PARK INSTEAD OF CLUTTERING AND CONGESTING THOSE AREAS WHICH ARE ALREADY USED FREQUENTLY.
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RisingDamp666
For my tastes, it was a little heavy on the Japonism. Doing an exact replica would be alright but a fresher interpretation of the style might be a better fit. just musing.
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