Do you have an old house you want to fix up and keep true to its period? Help is here in the form of some of the most knowledgeable and preservation-minded Buffalo residents, including those keeping an eye on new green standards of energy use.
The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society will host its
third annual House Restoration Fair on Saturday, March 28 from 10AM to 2:30PM. It will take place in the Historical Society’s museum, located at 25
Nottingham Court at Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo. This event, which is presented
by the Historical Society’s Members Advisory Committee, is geared toward
homeowners who are looking to restore and maintain the original character of an
older home.
The House Restoration Fair will feature knowledgeable craftsmen,
artisans, material suppliers and contractors who will be on hand to answer
questions and talk about the services they offer. There will also be a series
of programs in the museum’s auditorium, including:
“Preserving Buffalo’s Neighborhoods”
10:30 a.m.
Harvey Garrett, Jr., homeowner and community-building activist
from the West Side of Buffalo, will speak about his strategies and concepts for
preserving Buffalo’s neighborhoods.
“The Residential Architecture of Esenwein & Johnson”
Noon
Martin Wachadlo, a noted architectural historian and
authority on the Esenwein & Johnson architectural firm, will speak about
the diverse design styles used by the firm in the early 20th
century, including Beaux Arts, Art Nouveau, Neoclassical, Colonial Revival and
Arts & Crafts.
“Green Home Restoration”
1:30 p.m.
Julie O’Neill and Patrick O’Neill, homeowners in the
Elmwood Village, will share their first-hand accounts of implementing a green
design when remodeling a home. In 2005, the O’Neills won the Erie County
Executive’s Energy Achievement Award for the “green” design of their
newly renovated residence.
Admission for the House Restoration Fair is $8 for the general
public and $6 for Historical Society members and includes access to the
museum’s exhibits. For more information, the public may contact the Buffalo and
Erie County Historical Society at 716-873-9644 or visit www.buffalohistory.org.