For the third
consecutive year, the Graycliff Conservancy will present the Graycliff Gala on
Friday, April 27, 2012 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.
However, for the first time, it
will take place at the Larkin Center of Commerce, 701 Seneca Street, near
downtown Buffalo.
Graycliff is
an architectural jewel set on a scenic 8.4 acre estate overlooking Lake Erie,
with sweeping views of Canada beyond. The complex, with three buildings and
extensive grounds, was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Isabelle and Darwin
Martin as a summer estate. Built between 1926 and 1929, it was occupied by the
family until the mid-1940s. The Graycliff
Conservancy, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and
providing public access to the Graycliff Estate. The Graycliff estate is a New York
State Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places; it is
located at 6472 Old Lake Shore Rd, Derby, NY 14047
The
celebratory evening will include wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres; dinner, and Live
Jazz by keyboardist Van Taylor. Steve Cichon of WBEN Radio will serve as Master
of Ceremonies for the festivities. A Basket Raffle, a Silent Auction, and a stellar
live auction will round out the evening. Noted Larkin Collector, Jerry Puma,
will premiere a recently discovered motion picture from 1910, entitled “The Box
from Larkin” showing Larkin factory operations. There is ample free parking in
front of the Larkin Center of Commerce, which is located at 701 Seneca St.
Admission to
the Graycliff Gala is $125 per person for members of the Graycliff Conservancy,
or $160 per person for non-members, which includes one individual Graycliff
Membership. The proceeds from the Gala benefit the Graycliff Conservancy, Inc.
For admission information and/or purchase, please contact the Graycliff
Conservancy at 716-947-9217 or graycliff@verizon.net
With 30 acres
under one roof, comprised of 8 contiguous buildings, the Larkin Center of
Commerce is the largest of the original Larkin Company structures. The Larkin Company was among the most
successful and innovative companies of its day, boasting $30 million in annual
revenue as early as 1900. This extraordinary facility was completed circa 1906
by the Larkin Company to provide manufacturing, retail and administrative
support services for the company. Today,
The Larkin Center of Commerce is the largest building in the historic Larkin
District of the City of Buffalo. Its 1.3
million square feet is home to almost 100 businesses and professional service
providers.
The live
auction will feature a number of one-of-a-kind extraordinary packages; here is
just a sampling:
Tuscan
Picnic Feast
You and your
eleven guests will enjoy the best of Tuscany:
Foie Gras/ricotta mousse, sautéed sole with lemon, chicken breasts with
white truffles and porcini, and lamb shanks Sienese. Fine Italian Wines will be served with every
course, courtesy of Sharon Osgood. Superb wines will be served with every
course, including such stars as 1995 Altesino Brunello di Montalino, a 1995 Tignanello and a 1993 Berardenga Vin
Santo.
An Unforgettable
Niagara on the Lake Experience
Enjoy a one- night stay for two at one
of the fine Vintage Hotels in quaint Niagara on the Lake, Ontario. Your choice includes accommodations in a
traditional guest room at either the Prince of Wales, Queens Landing or Pillar
and Post and breakfast in bed.
Then see a wonderful Shaw Festival
production of Present Laughter, A Man and Some Women or Misalliance. Tickets
are good for any performance in May, June or July. A wine tasting flight for
two at Peller Estates wine boutique will round out your cross-border get away.
Wright at
Home
A rare
opportunity for a wine and cheese reception in the privately owned Davidson
House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
This beautiful Prairie-style home will be yours for you and your guests
for a private reception and tour. Hosts Russell Maxwell and Patrick Mahoney
will greet each guest with a signed copy of Mahoney’s new book, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Walter V. Davidson
House: An Examination of a Buffalo House and its Cousins from Coast to Coast
Overnight
at the Gardener’s Cottage at the Darwin Martin House Complex and a special tour
of the Darwin D Martin House Complex.
Just think of
being nestled in the cozy Gardener’s Cottage for an overnight stay at the
Darwin Martin House Complex. This once in a lifetime opportunity entitles you
and a guest to experience the grandeur and comfort of living in a Frank Lloyd
Wright designed residence. Stained glass windows, authentic furnishings and the
warm glow of copper in the kitchen will certainly add to the comfort of your
evening. A special tour of the entire complex is also included in this package.
English
Style High Tea for Twelve at the Frank Lloyd Wright Fontana Boathouse
Enjoy
English-style High tea at one of the most unique of Wright’s designs, his only
boathouse, which now graces the shores of the Black Rock canal. As guests of
the Fontana Board of Directors, your party of twelve will start teatime with a
sherry cocktail and a private in-depth tour by Executive Director Anne
McCooey. Then tea will be served in the
Club Room complete with lovely linens, Wright inspired china, tea sandwiches
and cookies, and of course, English tea.
Graycliff
As You Like It
Experience
Graycliff as the Martin family itself did, an oasis of tranquility in the
summertime. Your choice of a relaxing
breakfast with private tour; or a private twilight tour for you and fourteen
guests.
Sponsors as of April 20, 2012:
Porte Cochere Level:
Entercom Communications
Larkin Center of Commerce
M & T Bank
WBEN
Isabelle’s Balcony
Level:
Sharon Osgood, ESQ
The Krog Corp
Seneca Larkin Holdings, LLC
Gregory Photiadis, ESQ
Darwin’s Balcony Level:
Sandhill Investment Management
Harter, Secrest, and Emery
Marsh Ziller
National Fuel
Industrial Power and Lighting Corp.
Diane Chrisman
Kromac Design
Diane and Frederick Schrenk
Chaintreuil, Jensen, Stark,
Architects, LLP
Uniland Development Company