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Buffalo's architectural treasures prove a big draw

National Preservation Conference organizers and supporters
photo by Joyce Kryszak
National Preservation Conference organizers and supporters

By Joyce Kryszak

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-985826.mp3

Buffalo, NY – Buffalo's architectural treasures are proving to be quite a draw. Local leaders for the National Preservation Conference that is coming here in October said Monday that registrations are exceeding expectations.

Already, organizers said there are about 1,700 people from all over the country registered for the event. They said if that tops 2,500 it will be the biggest ever for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Some tours are already sold out. And new tours are being added. Catherine Schweitzer is local co-chair for the Conference. Schweitzer said they are on the verge of realizing the promise she made to the Trust five years ago.

"That if Buffalo was successful with the bid, that we would open every door in this community for the conference," said Schweitzer. "Those doors would include the doors to our public homes, our corporate homes, our spiritual homes, our private homes - and most of all the doors to our hearts."

The week-long conference kicks off on October 19 with literally hundreds of tours, lectures, classes and fields sessions in virtual every corner of Buffalo and Western New York, as well as across the border.

Bob Skerker is the other local Co-chair. He said the conference will raise the visibility of Buffalo's importance in the history of architecture and the American Cities Movement.

"One of our great assets here are our intact neighborhoods," said Skerker. "So, whether you are walking through Allentown, or the West Side, Elmwood Village, etc., you'll see cities as they existed and started in the nineteenth century and how they developed."

The public also will be able to take part in many of the conference events and tours. That includes the opening night reception being held in the Statler Towers.

More information is available at National Preservation Conference.