Press Releases

AN UNEXPECTED PAIR OF DESTINATIONS OFFERS WEALTH OF
CULTURAL ASSETS AND NATURAL WONDERS

Western New York from Niagara Falls to the Finger Lakes Wine Country

BUFFALO, NY, Summer 2008 – Upstate New York is home to some of the nation’s most captivating art and architecture, set in a scenic landscape marked by great lakes and natural wonders. From Corning to Buffalo, visitors can discover one of the world’s finest collections of modern art; tour landmarks by the nation’s greatest architects, including five stunning Frank Lloyd Wright designs; join working artisans in the birthplace of the American Arts & Crafts Movement; and explore 35 centuries of glass artistry in America’s “Crystal City.” Together with the area’s numerous estate wineries, miles of hiking and biking trails, and stunning lakes and waterfalls, the Buffalo Niagara and Corning region offers an unexpected travel experience for everyone from families to art enthusiasts.

BUFFALO—A NEW YORK CULTURAL GEM

Contrary to its snowy reputation, Buffalo, New York is a charming city rich with American history and innovation. A longstanding center of creativity, culture, and design, its architectural landscape, renowned cultural institutions and vibrant arts community are at the heart of the city’s cultural renaissance. Together with its enchanting neighborhoods and galleries, antiques and boutiques, Buffalo offers travelers a unique opportunity to experience the best of American art and architecture amidst a beautiful landscape—all of this just 20 minutes from Niagara Falls.

What to Do
With five distinguished Frank Lloyd Wright residences and the recent addition of Wright’s Rowing Boathouse, the city of Buffalo is one of the nation’s most important destinations for Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. The city’s architectural treasures include the Darwin D. Martin House—Wright’s largest Prairie Style house in existence, the architect’s stunning Graycliff Estate, and landmarks from such greats as H.H. Richardson, Louis Sullivan, and Eliel and Eero Saaarinen, all amidst a system of parks and parkways designed by Frederick Law Olmsted of Central Park fame. Open-air bus tours offer visitors a tailored, comprehensive tour of the city’s architectural landmarks; extensive tours of Wright’s must-see Martin House and Graycliff Estate provide an intimate look at the restoration process.

In addition to its architectural offerings, Buffalo is home to the region’s preeminent cultural institutions, including the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and its exceptional collection of modern and contemporary art. This summer, highlights from the museum’s holdings of Optical Art and recent acquisitions will be on view in the popular REMIX series, as well as a survey of works from the video and new media artist Jennifer Steinkamp. Be sure to visit the stunning Lord & Burnham conservatory at the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens in Frederick Law Olmsted’s South Park. It’s one of only two such “crystal palaces” left standing in an Olmsted Park

An exciting lineup of summer 2008 events welcomes visitors for the best of Buffalo’s art, music, food, and landscapes. Highlights include the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s outdoor concert series at Artpark, the 51st Allentown Art Festival, the Roycroft Summer Festival, and the largest event of its kind in the United States, the Buffalo Garden Walk. Travelers can sample Buffalo’s regional cuisine at the National Buffalo Wing Festival and Taste of Buffalo. This summer also marks the opening of the new $53 million public waterfront at the Erie Canal Harbor, where visitors can bike, boat, and stroll while learning about the city’s pivotal role in American history as the “Gateway to the West.”

Less than 20 minutes away are two regional destinations, including the century-old Roycroft Inn and Campus in nearby East Aurora. At the birthplace of the American Arts and Crafts Movement visitors get a rare look at the Roycrofter’s life and work, and can take metalsmith, pottery, and block print classes alongside such craftsmen. Just north is one of the world’s most stunning natural architectural wonders, Niagara Falls, the nearby river region offering stunning views, local wineries, 125 miles of hiking and biking trails, and 300 years of history at Old Fort Niagara.

Where to Stay
Buffalo boasts some of the most intriguing hotels rich with history and charm. In the heart of downtown, the Mansion was recently restored and converted into a historic hotel, receiving top ranks in the 2007 Zagat survey. Originally built in 1860 as a grand mansion in the Second Empire style, today the luxury hotel offers visitors warm Buffalo hospitality, a notable art collection, and their signature butler service. The century-old Roycroft Inn was also recently renovated and opened to rave reviews. Featuring original Roycroft furniture and fixtures of exceptional quality, its unique guest rooms still bear the names of notable guests carved in their doors, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Charlotte Bronte, Henry David Thoreau, and Susan B. Anthony. Visitors to Buffalo can also enjoy gracious hospitality in the heart of the city’s Elmwood Village at the Beau Fleuve Bed & Breakfast. This elegant 1862 property features five beautifully appointed guest rooms and attentive and friendly innkeepers.

For additional information on tours and accommodations, visit www.wrightnowinbuffalo.com

CORNING—AMERICA’S ‘CRYSTAL CITY’

Known as America’s “Crystal City,” Corning, New York is nestled in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country. The area’s lush natural setting offers more than 100 wineries, a 500-mile trail system, and hundreds of waterfalls, lakes and gorges that make up over 20 parks and recreational areas. Historic Market Street is at the center of Corning’s downtown area, which houses the Rockwell Museum of Western Art—a focal point for Native American and American Western art—glassmaking studios, antiques stores, restaurants, and specialty shops. Corning is also renowned for its glassmaking past and present. Visitors can best experience all dimensions of glass— including the art, history, and science of this fascinating medium—at The Corning Museum of Glass. The Corning Museum of Glass is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of art and history in glass, ranging from ancient Egyptian and Renaissance Venetian masterpieces to works by contemporary masters, and spanning more than 3,500 years of human creation. The Corning Museum offers visitors the chance to explore 35 centuries of glass and houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass art— from Ancient Egyptian and Renaissance Venetian masterworks to contemporary American work by such artists as Dale Chihuly and Josiah McElheny—housed in a unique collection of award-winning modern glass architecture. Engagement with live glassmaking is central to the experience at the Corning Museum. Public programs bring glass to life through live glassblowing demonstrations and Make Your Own Glass workshops. This programming complements the history and the artistry of glass showcased in the exhibitions and permanent collections, and allows visitors to learn about the full scope of the material, from its creation to its myriad uses.

What to do

The Hot Glass Show, a 15–20 minute live, narrated performance, is presented daily at the Museum at posted intervals throughout the day. Master glassmakers take molten glass and turn them into beautiful glass objects including bowls and vases, among others. Cameras inside the 2300°F furnaces ensure that the audience can experience every detail of the process and technique.

Established in 1996, The Studio of The Corning Museum of Glass is an internationally renowned teaching facility that offers courses and scholarship programs in a variety of techniques, for all ages and abilities. Students at The Studio have access not only to expert glass artists, technicians, and curators from around the globe, but also to the resources of the world’s most comprehensive glass Museum and research library of record, all located on the same campus. Over 100 year-round classes are offered at The Studio including intensive oneand two-week courses, taught by glassmakers and artists from around the world, these intensive courses offer students the ability to focus on a topic in-depth; Make Your Own Glass, where visitors of all ages may participate in short workshops to create glass souvenirs; and Fun with Glass, a hands-on glassworking program for groups of 10 or more, where groups can choose from a variety of projects.

Where to Stay
Travelers will find charming bed and breakfast accommodations in the Corning area—Hillcrest Manor Bed & Breakfast, and the Rosewood Inn, both embody the atmosphere of traditional 19th century Victorian homes. Finger Lakes Wine Country also offers quaint lodging options, such as the Black Sheep Inn in Hammondsport and Rufus Tanner House Bed & Breakfast in Pine City.

How to Get There
Travelers can easily drive from Corning to Buffalo in a day, with wineries and scenic stops to visit en route. For more detailed information, driving directions, and other information, visit www.buffalocorningconnection.com.

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Media Contacts:

Kristen Titus
Resnicow Schroeder Associates
212-671-5173
ktitus@resnicowschroeder.com

Maggie Berget
Resnicow Schroeder Associates
212-671-5157
sfreudenheim@resnicowschroeder.com

Ed Healy
Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau
716-852-0511, x236
healy@buffalocvb.org

Doug Sitler
Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau
716-852-0511, x252
sitler@buffalocvb.org