Buffalo Architecture Center

Buffalo and the Niagara Region have a significant number of important built and natural landmarks. Tourists have been coming to the Niagara Region since its frontier days to experience Niagara Falls and the rapids, whirlpool and gorge as well as the over 30 miles of beautiful river and shoreline that connect Lakes Erie and Ontario. However, it is only recently that many visitors are also arriving to appreciate the built landmarks created by local and nationally renowned architects.

When Buffalo was selected as the western terminus for the Erie Canal, it marked the beginning of a great period of prosperity for the region. The growth that followed resulted in hundreds of significant buildings reflecting the spectrum of architectural styles. For many reasons, a large inventory of these architectural treasures remain.

For instance, the following architects designed important structures in Buffalo:

The city itself is a reflection of its unique radial plan layout by Joseph Ellicott combined with the first park and parkway system designed by Olmsted and Vaux.

Purpose

The purpose of the Buffalo Architecture Center is to help focus attention on the importance of these buildings as architecture, art and history landmarks for the benefit of those who live in the city, region and beyond. It was inspired by the excellent example of the Chicago Architecture Foundation and created in collaboration with the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau, Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corp., CEPA Gallery, and the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier in October 2002.

Exhibits

The BAC's first exhibit in October 2002, "Buffalo's Grain Elevators," featured the photography of Patrica Layman Bazalon, sponsored by CEPA Gallery. . This was followed by the "Buffalo: My City" watercolors by Dr. V. Roger Lalli in the spring/summer of 2003.

In the fall of 2003, Rita Auerbach's prints of Buffalo architecture were displayed, followed by "E.B. Green, Buffalo's Architect"photographs in the winter/spring of 2004, sponsored by the Burchfield-Penney Art Gallery.

The summer/fall of 2004 exhibit is the "Buffalo Timeline" created by Ardry Manning, art instructor at St. Mary's School for the Deaf.

Lectures

The Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier's noontime lecture series at the BAC was created in the spring and fall of 2003. LSNF sponsored twenty-four Tuesday noontime lectures, with the theme "How Should We Celebrate Buffalo's Landmarks?"

In December 2003, a five-day local history series "Landmarks Tell the Story of Buffalo and the Niagara Frontier" was presented by local historian John Percy.

In the spring of 2004, three separate series of noontime lectures were presented:

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