Senate Resolution No. 1243

BY: Senator JACOBS

COMMENDING the Isabelle Martin House at Graycliff
upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of
the Excellence in Historic Preservation Award by the
Preservation League of New York State

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those organizations which seek to bring recognition to
historical places within the State of New York, and in so doing, help to
ensure that the complete history of our State and Nation is preserved
and shared with present generations of citizens; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Isabelle Martin House at Graycliff upon the occasion of its
designation as recipient of the Excellence in Historic Preservation
Award by the Preservation League of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Communities across New York State, from large cities to
rural villages, benefit from historic preservation; historic buildings
anchor communities, inspire civic pride and drive tourism; restoration
work preserves history, creates jobs and boosts the economy; and

WHEREAS, The Preservation League of New York State takes great pride
in shining a spotlight on those who are leading the way in this
important work; the Isabelle Martin House at Graycliff is one such
conservancy; and

WHEREAS, Perched on a cliff high above Lake Erie on the outskirts of
Buffalo, New York, the Isabelle Martin House at Graycliff is one of the
most ambitious summer estates Frank Lloyd Wright ever designed, and has
been called "the Jewel on the Lake"; and

WHEREAS, Completed in 1929, the summer estate, spread over 8.5
acres, includes three structures and gardens of the architect's design;
the main residence is most notable for its pavilion-like center of
transparent glass, which enables one to see through the house to the
lake beyond; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the building's graceful organic style features
cantilevered balconies, ribbon windows and expansive terraces; and

WHEREAS, After several decades of deferred maintenance and
unsympathetic additions, a group of grassroots activists came together
to save the property; the Graycliff Conservancy formed in 1997, and
shortly after began working with architect Dirk Schneider of CJS
Architects LLP to begin a thoughtful and extensive restoration; and

WHEREAS, The Preservation League of New York State awarded Graycliff
a Preserve New York grant and extensive technical services early in the
restoration process, and named the Conservancy an Excellence in Historic
Preservation winner in 1999; and

WHEREAS, A full restoration of both exterior and interior spaces of
this publicly accessible landmark was completed in late 2018, and
remains a museum today; and

WHEREAS, The residents of Erie County consider themselves fortunate
to live in a region dense with historical architecture, and to the many
people who diligently work to preserve those local memories; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity
to express its highest admiration for the Isabelle Martin House at
Graycliff, and for all of the individuals who have worked to bring
proper attention to a place and time which merits recognition in the
grand panorama of the history of our State and Nation; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Isabelle Martin House at Graycliff upon the occasion of its
designation as recipient of the Excellence in Historic Preservation
Award by the Preservation League of New York State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Isabelle Martin House at Graycliff.