Lafayette High School

Lafayette High School

            The French Renaissance Revival styled Lafayette High School is the original home of one of Buffalo's oldest public schools. The school has been graduating students since 1903 in Buffalo's West Side neighborhood on Lafayette Street.

Memorial

Memorial Wall at Buffalo and Erie County Naval Park

Reflection

Lights of Naval Park, Canlaside and Silos

St. Michael's

St. Michael's Church

Saint Michael's Roman Catholic Church was constructed in 1867. The present structure replaced the small wooden church originally built in 1852, after the founding of the parish born out of a split with parishioners from nearby St. Louis. The parish was responsible for starting Canisius College, which was originally located near the church. Facing Washington St., with Ellicot St. to the rear of the property, the church was flanked by the Washington Market a/k/a Chippewa Market. The large open air market was a centerpiece of commerce in the city for many years. Today, sadly, it is a very large parking lot that takes up a city block. That being said, it is a fine looking parking lot. The interior of St. Michael's was completely rebuilt after a fire in the early sixties, giving it a more minimalist feel in comparison to its more ornate contemporaries.

Dun Building

Dun Building

The Dun Building was Buffalo's first high rise. The ten story structure was completed in 1895 and was, by far, the tallest building in its downtown neighborhood between Pearl and Franklin Streets. Architects E.B. Green and William S. Wicks collaborated once again on the unique flatiron building, one of Buffalo's oldest and most iconic Neoclassical buildings.

Mezza

Barrel and Tile @ Mezza

http://mezzabuffalo.com/

Fighting Peacock

Burmese Fighting Peacock Mural

A mural at the corner of Brayton and Massachusetts, on the West Side, honors the struggle for freedom of education and unity in Burma. The lead artist in the mural's creation was Nicholas Conrad Miller, a local artist, whose work can be found throughout the city. This work was accomplished with help from the West Ferry Corridor Project and the Community Foundation. The mural is a depiction of the peacock that is associated with the Burmese student activist group that began an anti-authoritarian movement in the late 80s. Buffalo has become home to thousands of Burmese over the last decade.

Where The Buffalo Roam

Grazing in Lovejoy

We caught this family of Buffalo at the triangle of William and Ogden Streets. The herd greets visitors entering the Lovejoy neighborhood of the city.

Lafayette Square

Lafayette Square

Lafayette Square was part of the city's original plan when it was first known as Courthouse Square. It was renamed for the Revolutionary War  

legend, General Lafayette, who stayed at the adjacent Eagle Tavern and addressed an enthusiastic gathering of citizens in the Square. The 1825 visit by the Marquis de Lafayette was in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the struggle for American Independence. The Square has been visited by the likes of President Martin Van Buren and President-elect Abraham Lincoln. The Square's most identifiable feature is the Civil War monument at its center dedicated in 1884 by Buffalo favorite son Grover Cleveland, who was then Governor of New York and would go on to be 22nd President of the United States. Over the years, the Square would continue to be a gathering spot for political and protest. For a quarter of a century, the Square even became a summer gathering spot for weekly music concerts aptly named Thursday in the Square. The Square is flanked by some of the city's most notable buildings, including the Liberty Building and Hotel Lafayette, as well as the newest tenant on the block, Hilton Garden Inn.

Buffalo Adore

Buffalo Adore on Main Street

Buffalo Adore is located in the spectacular Market Arcade Building on Main Street. All your town-proud gift needs answered with artsy, locally created wares within.

Show House

Decorators' Show House

The 19th Decorators' Show House is taking place at the August Feine House on Ellicot Street. The house, built in 1888, has undergone the one-designer per room makeover that is the Show House signature and success.  A perfect storm of history, artistry, and philanthropic repurposing makes this year's house an extra special delight. The Victorian classic is in the center of the Medical Campus and open to the public until May 21. Proceeds from tour ticket sales of the Show House are distributed by the Junior League of Buffalo to causes throughout Western New York.
Following the home's run as Show House, the building will become the Russel J. Salvatore Hospitality House, becoming part of the larger Kevin Quest House Campus, which provides accommodations and services for families traveling to Buffalo for medical treatment.

https://www.jlbuffalo.org/?nd=showhouse

Happy Mother's Day

Spring Blossoms

Birge Mansion

The Birge Mansion

The stately Birge Mansion still shows up well, 120 years after it was built. On a fine spring afternoon, the Birge looks out over Symphony Circle towards Klienhan's Music Hall. Truth be told, the mansion had a serious episode of decline, peaking in, you guessed it, the wonderful 70's. The faded beauty was ready for demolition but thankfully was rescued and restored in an effort that spanned well over a decade. If you have a chance to stroll the walk on Symphony Circle (restored as well, not too long ago) be sure to stop and appreciate one of Buffalo's great homes, nearly lost to history, and to neglect. Former owners and current tenants provide some spectacular photos of the home's interior in its heyday- see their link.

                           http://www.msvlaw.com/Our-Location-The-Birge-Mansion.shtml

River's Edge

Watching the Niagara River as it flows by Blackrock.

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

Ethiopia was one of the birthplaces of the early Christian church and Ethiopian Orthodoxy continues a practice of Christianity filled with traditions and ritual dating back 17 centuries. Debre Selam Medhane Alem Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has been serving the faithful of the Buffalo area since 2003.  The church building, on Tonawanda Street in the neighborhood of Blackrock, was consecrated in 2013. The congregation follows a branch of the faith that separated from Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, which falls under the auspices of the Coptic Church. In 1959, the Orthodox denomination of Tewahedo was granted its own Patriarch by the Coptic Pope.

http://www.eotcbuffalo.org/

Elevator Alley

Elevator Alley

The Buffalo River winds its way through Elevator Alley in the First Ward

Franklin Green

From the Porch @ Hamlin House
The product of many days of rain is a city sprouting before our eyes. Through the arches of The Hamlin House, circa 1865, we view the lush greenery of Franklin Street.

Niagara

Heading Downtown on Niagara Street

A Break

Lake Erie from Buffalo

A brief respite from a string of cloudy days materialized just before sunset. Yes, please.

Rain, Rain

Rain-soaked City

April came in as one of Buffalo's wettest  months on record. Here's hoping that May doesn't follow suit.

Paul Robeson Theater

Stage of Paul Robeson Theater @ AACC

The stage is set for the Paul Robeson Theater's production of The Old Settler. Director Mary Craig and her talented cast are prepared to bring to life the play by John Henry Redwood on the intimate stage at The African American Cultural Center on Masten Avenue. The center has been serving as an educational resource and artistic outlet for the community since 1958. Opening night for the play is this Friday. Come witness what promises to be another outstanding production at the Paul Robeson Theater.

http://www.aaccbuffalo.org/

Tea Time

Angelica Tea Room on Washington Street

The lounge that thinks it's a tea house, Angelica Tea Room is open for business. Yes, they actually have tea, and even cucumber sandwiches, as well as a plethora of cocktails to choose from. It's no Club Diablo, but I hear they play some nice music too. Check out their mission statement ...

angelicatearoom.com