Travelore Report, Monthly In Print Since 1971: TRAVELORE DESTINATION REPORT: Niagara And Buffalo,...

Travelore Report, Monthly In Print Since 1971: TRAVELORE DESTINATION REPORT: Niagara And Buffalo,...: Niagara Falls photo by Allen Barkus, #NiagaraFallsUSA A recent visit to the Niagara and Buffalo region of New York demonstrated a revita...

Eight Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings Inscribed On UNESCO World Heritage List

Collection of Wright-Designed Buildings Represents First Modern Architecture Designation in the U.S.

The World Heritage Committee, meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, has officially inscribed The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, which includes eight major works spanning 50 years of Wright's career, on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Wright is widely considered to be the greatest American architect of the 20th century, and the sites in the group inscription span his influential career. They include Unity Temple (constructed 1906-1909, Oak Park, Illinois), the Frederick C. Robie House (constructed 1910, Chicago, Illinois), Taliesin (begun 1911, Spring Green, Wisconsin), Hollyhock House (constructed 1918-1921, Los Angeles, California), Fallingwater (constructed 1936-1939, Mill Run, Pennsylvania), the Herbert and Katherine Jacobs House (constructed 1936-1937, Madison, Wisconsin), Taliesin West (begun 1938, Scottsdale, Arizona) and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum(constructed 1956-1959, New York, New York).

There are more than 1,000 World Heritage sites around the world, and the group of Wright sites is now among only 24 sites in the U.S. The collection represents the first modern architecture designation in the country on the prestigious list.

"This recognition by UNESCO is a significant way for us to reconfirm how important Frank Lloyd Wright was to the development of modern architecture around the world," says Barbara Gordon, executive director of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, an international organization dedicated to the preservation of all of Wright's remaining built works. "There are nearly 400 remaining structures designed by Wright. Our hope is that the inscription of these eight major works also brings awareness to the importance of preserving all of his buildings as a vital part of our artistic, cultural and architectural heritage. All communities where a Wright building stands should appreciate what they have and share in the responsibility to protect their local—and world—heritage."

"It is an immense honor to have Frank Lloyd Wright's work recognized on the world stage among the most vital and important cultural sites on Earth like Taj Mahal in India, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt and the Statue of Liberty in New York," said Stuart Graff, president and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. "To have this unique American legacy placed alongside these precious few sites around the globe is meaningful because it recognizes the profound influence of this American architect and his impact on the whole world. This designation is a great source of national pride, and while eight buildings are included in the inscription, it recognizes the importance of Wright's work, embodied in every one of his buildings and designs. These sites are not simply World Heritage monuments because they are beautiful. It's so much more than that. These are places of profound influence, inspiration and connection."

The eight inscribed sites have played a prominent role in the development and evolution of Modern architecture during the first half of the 20th century and continuing to the present. UNESCO considers the international importance of a potential World Heritage Site based on its "Outstanding Universal Value," which in the Wright series is manifested in three attributes. First, it is an architecture responsive to functional and emotional needs, achieved through geometric abstraction and spatial manipulation. Second, the design of the buildings in this series is fundamentally rooted in nature's forms and principles. Third, the series represents an architecture conceived to be responsive to the evolving American experience, but which is universal in its appeal.

The Wright nomination has been in development for more than 15 years, a coordinated effort between the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, each of the nominated sites and independent scholars, with a substantial financial commitment realized through subsidies and donations, countless hours donated by staff and volunteers, and the guidance and assistance of the National Park Service. The nomination effort was spearheaded by Fallingwater Director Emerita and founding Conservancy board member Lynda Waggoner, with Fallingwater contributing support and expertise in the nomination's preparation. The Conservancy will now coordinate the activities of the Frank Lloyd Wright World Heritage Council, chaired by Waggoner, which was established to support the responsible conservation and promotion of the eight World Heritage sites.

In 2015, the U.S. nominated a series of 10 Wright-designed sites to the World Heritage List. At its meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, in July 2016, the World Heritage Committee decided to "refer" the nomination for revisions. Over the past two years, the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy worked with the council of sites and leading scholars to revise the nomination and rework the justification for inscription.

The National Park Service submitted the Wright nomination to the World Heritage Centre in Paris on November 20, 2018, and it was reviewed and inscribed at the 2019 session of the World Heritage Committee, on Sunday, July 7 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The complete nomination document can be downloaded from SaveWright.org. 
To learn more about the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy and to become a member, visit SaveWright.org. To learn more about the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and to become a member, visit FrankLloydWright.org.

About The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy 
The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 to facilitate the preservation and stewardship of the remaining structures designed by Frank Lloyd Wright through advocacy, education and technical services. The staff and a corps of dedicated and knowledgeable board members and volunteers accomplish the Conservancy's mission through strategic initiatives that include advocating against demolition and neglect of Wright structures, providing access to expert technical conservation and restoration resources, connecting preservation-minded buyers and sellers of Wright properties, advancing original Wright scholarship through SaveWright magazine, and honoring those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts in stewardship of Wright's legacy through the Wright Spirit Awards.

About the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation 
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, established by Wright in 1940, is dedicated to preserving Taliesin and Taliesin West for future generations, and inspiring society through an understanding and experience of Frank Lloyd Wright's ideas, architecture and design. Wright's legacy, reflected in contemporary work around sustainable and affordable architecture and excellence in design, is of even greater importance today than in his own time. The Foundation is forward-looking, but rooted in the history of the Taliesin communities. Please visit FrankLloydWright.org for more information on tour schedules, cultural and educational experiences and events.

SOURCE The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy

TRAVELORE DESTINATION REPORT: Niagara And Buffalo, New York #NiagaraFallsUSA, #DelawareNorth

Niagara Falls photo by Allen Barkus, #NiagaraFallsUSA

A recent visit to the Niagara and Buffalo region of New York demonstrated a revitalization that is attracting visitors from around the world to view the breathtaking Niagara Falls, experience the dining options, learn about the important history of the gateway to the U.S., experience the exceptional museums, and important architectural sites.

The Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United States, established in 1885, and provides the best opportunity to view the Falls from many perspectives. Be prepared to get wet for the best way to experience the Falls, our favorite is the Cave of the Winds tour. The Cave of the Winds allows  visitors to walk up to the base of the Bridal Veil Falls on a series of redwood decks, water crashing on them. For safety a very nice secure pair of sandals are provided that you are welcome to take home with you as a souvenir of your visit, something you'll actually want to use when you return home. The Maid of the Mist boat rides are also highly recommended, sailing continually since 1846.



Where to stay while in Niagara Falls...We stayed at the Giacomo Boutique Hotel, with very large comfortable rooms and a rooftop lounge for viewing the Falls. A hot breakfast is included with your stay and it is recommended you visit  the Patisserie at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute for fresh baked pastries. For more details please visit: www.thegiacomo.com

Lobster Bread Pudding

For dinner we recommend Savor at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute for creative cuisine with an artful mix of flavors and presentation. One of the more unique presentations was the starter of Lobster Bread Pudding with wild mushrooms, truffled cream and sweet soy. Also recommended are the wines by their culinary program; we enjoyed the Riesling. For dessert we enjoyed their Pumpkin cheesecake with a gingersnap crust, candied spaghetti squash, butternut squash ribbons, acorn squash crisp, and creme fraiche.  For more details please visit: www.nfculinary.org

Another recommended site to visit is Old Fort Niagara,within Niagara State Park, on the edge of Lake Ontario. There you will take part in an interactive experience to learn about its French, British, and Native American influences and its use starting in the 1700's through the 1960's. For more details please visit: www.oldfortniagara.org











Moving on to nearby Buffalo, now going through its long awaited revival. The centerpiece of the Buffalo revival is the new Westin Buffalo at 250 Delaware Avenue, also the home of Delaware North. Delaware North is one of the largest employers in Buffalo and the management company of the new hotel and also manages the concessions of the Niagara State Park. The Westin Buffalo has 116 oversized guestrooms and suites featuring industry standards including the signature Heavenly Bed and invigorating Heavenly Bath, 24 hour room service and an exceptional health club. Patina 250, the Westin's restaurant is establishing itself as one of the premiere dining destinations in the city.

Typical of what you can expect at Patina 250 is their house speciality of roasted duck with spaetzle, mushrooms, and huckleberry compote.

For more details about the Westin Buffalo please visit:
www.westinbuffalo.com

There are a few 'must visit' places to visit while in Buffalo, one is Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House Complex. The ventilation system of the main house demonstrates his unique attention to details in every part of the complex. Wright once called the Martin Complex "the most perfect thing of its kind in the world-a domestic symphony". For more details please visit: www.darwinmartinhouse.com

The

Albright-Knox Art Gallery is also a must visit for art lovers visiting Buffalo, founded in 1862,
and one of the country's oldest art institutions focusing on contemporary and modern art. For more details please visit: www.albrightknox.org








For more details about planning your trip to Niagara and Buffalo please visit:
Www.VisitBuffaloNiagara.Com, and Www.NiagaraFallsStatePark.Com