Support A New Home For The Cotter
This boat has gone through name changes, retirement issues, paint jobs, enormous amounts of damage, victories, and even changes in living quarters (see photo). Proponents of the fireboat have painstakingly researched the history of the vessel in order to show that this boat, which still services Buffalo, deserves a home that suits its character. I spoke with Vincent Benbenek who is a member of Friends of The Cotter, and this is what he told me has to happen to see this vision unfold:
"At this point it is going to take a huge amount of fundraising. We're working out a lease agreement with The City. Half of the people in Buffalo don't know that the boat is back there. We want to spruce up the current Engine 20 firehouse... we would have an interpretive type of display to establish a makeshift museum. We need to tell people The Cotter story. The City looks like its digging in its heals a bit... we're trying to get decision makers to sit down to a meeting. We need something drafted between Friends of The Cotter and The City. We need to know that the boat will stay there. In order to get funders on board with future plans, we must take the boat out for fundraising purposes and some people don't like that. We have larger donors waiting in the wings who want to support this project; we are waiting for the negotiations to move forward. There is going to be a fundraiser in September... we'll keep your readers informed on the date."
The home of The Cotter should be a meeting place, a gathering place, an interpretive center... where people learn about the history of the boat and its importance to Buffalo. The Cotter and its surroundings act as a wonderful bridge between the future Festival Park, the DL&W Terminal, the Cobblestone District and the entire Inner Harbor. It's too important to let it get tied up in political squabbles. Isn't it supposed to be what's best for the city... what's best for the people? Just think about what the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation has done for the Central Terminal... this same concept could (and should) work here.
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Comment Options
Chris
This is something that has to happen.
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GDC
I luv this idea and the design cocept. Should be a place with a museum and story/meeting place, especially since it's so close to an upcoming/exciting area such as the Waterfront. Look forward to updates on this projects.
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DJB
Let's hope the city lawmakers see the benefit of private funding to restore the Cotter, instead of tax dollars. It would be a shame to lose this treasure as a result of incompetence from our political leaders. We have had enough of that in our history.
Where is the engine 20 firehouse? I saw the Cotter where it is currently docked and it is really off the beaten path. It should be down on the waterfront, either near or in the Erie Basin Marina, where people can easily access it.
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GDC
I luv this idea and the design cocept. Should be a place with a museum and story/meeting place, especially since it's so close to an upcoming/exciting area such as the Waterfront. Look forward to updates on this projects.
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LivingForge
Anything to anchor (pun intended) and stimulate use and development on the lake, harbor, and Buffalo River is a public good.
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al-alo
im hoping that the friends of the Cotter have or will seek some museum expertise. if you need some initial suggestions, i, or some museum hoodlums i know could help.
additionally, there are some other fireboat museums and interpretive centers. although not the same animal since the Cotter is an active fireboat, it would be helpful to contact other like groups.
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flyguy
Why not move the firemans museum to a close proximity to this reworked firestation and the boat? As far as I know that museum is kinda off the beaten path.This location is within relatively close distance to the inner harbor and cobblestone districts and the casino. Lets get this in the fold as a big attraction to build the critical mass in the area and make it an interesting district with alot to see and do. The Cotter is a great resource!!!
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chris69
I fail to see WHY with all the important projects (specifically waterfront projects) like lift bridges to the outer harbor for pedestrian and motor vehicle, rewatering the Ohio Basin for a new Convention/Conference Center,pollutant clean up of the Buffalo Riviere, storm sewar over-flows which make the river and harbor and fish little more than cesspools, heck Id even like ot see the DL&W Passenger Terminal rebuilt and the NFTA maintenance sheds moved to the Central Terminal where they belong, etc
I very much like the Cotter and want to see it preserved and incorporated into the waterfront but for the time being what is wrong with simply incorporating it into Air&Naval Museum which should include other ships like LaSalles Griffon, Adm Perrys Lake Erie warships, Canal Barges and Schooners, maybe even a Canadiana.
I dont think small little museums are the way to go....they require to much taxpayer subsidies, their to unstable and they dont attract high quantity visitors. ITS BETTER TO COMPLEMENT AIR AND NAVAL MUSEUM BY EXPANDING ITS EXHIBITS.
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stephenjames716
this would be a win win situation.
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flyguy
Why not move the Buffalo Fire Historical Society museum to a close proximity to this reworked firestation and the boat? As far as I know that museum is kinda off the beaten path.This location is within relatively close distance to the inner harbor and cobblestone districts and the casino. Lets get this in the fold as a big attraction to build the critical mass in the area and make it an interesting district with alot to see and do. The Cotter is a great resource!!!
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chris69
I fail to see WHY with all the important projects (specifically waterfront projects) like lift bridges to the outer harbor for pedestrian and motor vehicle, rewatering the Ohio Basin for a new Convention/Conference Center,pollutant clean up of the Buffalo Riviere, storm sewar over-flows which make the river and harbor and fish little more than cesspools, heck Id even like ot see the DL&W Passenger Terminal rebuilt and the NFTA maintenance sheds moved to the Central Terminal where they belong, etc
I very much like the Cotter and want to see it preserved and incorporated into the waterfront but for the time being what is wrong with simply incorporating it into Air&Naval Museum which should include other ships like LaSalles Griffon, Adm Perrys Lake Erie warships, Canal Barges and Schooners, maybe even a Canadiana.
I dont think small little museums are the way to go....they require to much taxpayer subsidies, their to unstable and they dont attract high quantity visitors. ITS BETTER TO COMPLEMENT AIR AND NAVAL MUSEUM BY EXPANDING ITS EXHIBITS.
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joshfromsb
I think it may be easier to sell to the city and all the planners if they could possibly move it closer to all of the new waterfront development. I know where it is now... and it's close, but probably not close enough. I think it would be a great addition to the city.
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al-alo
why the somewhat blah building? why not duplicate the original buildings facade and lay out the interior to meet your needs?
that old firehouse was pretty sexy. it also has covered porch which could also be useful in fundraising rentals. think the capability to do indoor/outdoor events right on the waterfront.
CHRIS69 is also likely right that a smaller museum, even with such a great artifact (you know, the boat!), is likely to limit itself unnecessarily. a maritime or firefighting museum is a natural fit. of course, both of which already exist in town.
btw, check out the old DLW elevated right of way in the background of the historic pic.
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RaChaCha
There's so much to love at the Cotter's location, with the Cobblestone District on one side, the Buffalo River (and industrial heritage corridor) on the other, amid a cluster of still-working grain and milling operations, the cool lift bridge and cool Swannie House next door, and not far from the end of Metro Rail. It would be an ideal location for a Buffalo River heritage/interpretive center with the Cotter as an anchor (sorry to steal your pun, LivingForge) attraction.
Perhaps broadening the scope in this way would help with the large fundraising task - and bring in other partners for a collaborative effort. The Industrial Heritage Committee - which leads excellent tours of the Buffalo River corridor and has been promoting the idea of an industrial heritage trail - might well be enthusiastic about partnering in something like that.
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al-alo
id also like to know what were the city's reservations. was it a liability issue? what ever the problem, is there a way to accommodate all parties?
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chris69
There is absolutely no reason why the Buffalo Air & Naval Museum, the Lower Lakes Museum, the Niagara Air&Space Museum (which is moving to Buffalo) and the Cotter cannot all co-exist within walking distance.
Infact, co-locating so many museums so closely together would create the synergy necessary for them all to be a success.
The only thing missing would be....a downtown presence for the Albright Knox!
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metrobflo
Great Idea this boat is a treasure and should have a great home. Check out this photo that I took a couple years ago and is featured on google earth. www.panoramio.com/photo/5068598
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PaulBuffalo
I agree with the earlier comments regarding a grouping of assets in order to maximize possibilities. At some point, this boat will no longer be in service and, at that time, it should be given a permanent indoor berth in an existing facility that can tell the Cotter's story in context with other exhibits also on display.
My dream is to see the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society relocate to a large warehouse-style building in which it can have the freedom to mount creative displays and properly tell the fascinating history of the Buffalo area. (There are thousands of artifacts not currently on display.) Ditch the current Victorian-era moniker and rename it the Buffalo History Museum. The Cotter would be a great addition to their collection and children would love it.
Oh, and what to do with BECH's Nottingham Terrace location? Hand it over to the Albright-Knox for their use so they can breathe some life into the place. (Put pre-1950 art there and keep post-1950 pieces at their Elmwood complex.) This would allow the Albright-Knox to keep their visitors in close proximity and maximize attendance.
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al-alo
on what PaulBuffalo was saying:
I couldnt agree more that the name Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society makes one think of decrepit old men sitting around in armchairs wearing smoking jackets surrounded by cobweb covered tomes. the shorthand bechs is even worse. what out of town visitor would ever consider visiting a place with such a dusty name?
what is wrong with "Buffalo History Museum"?
on the undisplayed items in their collection: every museum uses discretion in exhibiting their collection in a good coherent manner. well, every good museum (frankly, there are too many museums around town that could use a bit more discretion). dont get me started on a collections management plan.
there are items in collections that should never have been accepted into a collection and have no real function for the institution and will never be displayed. there are some items that will never be displayed because they are too fragile/damaged/difficult to present to the public. there are the lost items in the collection that records never existed for or never were property accessioned into the collection.
the vast majority of items are on hold. waiting for that exhibit, that scholar to make it relevant. most museums only display a tiny tiny fraction of what they own.
however, some museums do something very interesting with these items. they have open collections where a portion of the collection is stored in secure cases with limited text. its sort of a grandma's attic sort of effect. cool and interesting artifacts semi-grouped together.
the up side is it is much less expensive than most exhibits and it still allows public interaction with their heritage.
sorry about the museums studies monologue
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GDC
I agree in having a cluster of museums on the waterfront instead of spread out as it seems to be going. Imagine being able to WALK to each musuems one after another instead of "it's too far, lets go another time" , or "it's kinda out of the way, forget about it".
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onestarmartin
Bas Pro +1 [65m] Buffalo 's history -1 [0.00]
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onestarmartin
Bass Pro +1 [65m] Buffalo 's history -1 [0.00]
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