MARTIN HOUSE INVITES VISITORS TO GET INSIDER'S LOOK AT THE CONSTRUCTION SITE (4/05) Special "Inside the Fence Events" Tours Provide an In-depth Look at the Historic Restoration of the Pergola, Conservatory and Carriage House Martin House "Inside the Fence Events" - a series of special "hard hat" tours to be held in April, May and June at Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House complex -will provide in-depth information about the new construction going on at the Martin House where work is progressing on this historic restoration. Guests will hear from MHRC executive director, John C. Courtin, about the first-ever-in-America reconstruction of previously demolished Wright buildings. They will also find out about the challenges of this heroic project, and see progress being made as three "new" buildings come up out of the ground. Each of the "Inside the Fence Events" will begin with wine and appetizers on the verandah of the Barton House next door to the Martin House. "Inside the Fence Events" will be held 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on alternate Thursdays - April 28, May 12, May 26, June 9 and June 23. Cost is $30.00 per person or $50.00 for a couple. Attend one or several - work will be progressing during the months ahead. Reservations can be made by calling the MHRC at 716 856-3858 or online at www.darwinmartinhouse.org. Tours will be held rain or shine. Heavy footwear is recommended. Hard hats will be provided. The MHRC broke ground in October 2004 for reconstruction of three buildings that were integral to the original Martin House complex as Wright designed it in 1903-05 for wealthy Larkin Soap Company executive, Darwin D. Martin. For Martin's estate, Wright designed a complex of five buildings. The estate originally consisted of the main Martin House, (now being restored,) the Barton House for Martin's sister Delta and her family, as well as a pergola, conservatory and carriage house with chauffeur's quarters. The Martin House complex was the only multi-structure residential project that Wright designed as an integrated work. After Martin's death in 1935 and subsequent damage occurred during years of abandonment, the pergola, conservatory and carriage house were torn down in the 1960s and replaced with three modern apartment buildings. The MHRC demolished the apartments in 2001 to make the site ready for restoration of Wright's composition. The MHRC is now rebuilding the three "missing elements" as part of the reinvention of the historic site as a house museum. This is the first time in history that major Wright buildings that have been lost to demolition are being reconstructed. The MHRC and restoration architects, Hamilton Houston Lownie Architect, LLC are ensuring that the buildings will be accurate reproductions of the originals. Tours will touch on these exacting details, such as the specification of brick that was ordered after a nine-year search to find a successful "match" for the golden-yellow Roman brick specified by Wright 100 years ago. The MHRC believes that this is an ideal time for people to visit the Martin House to get an "insider's" look at the construction site. "This is the only time in the history of this great house that we will be able to see the bare bones of the structure and see the pergola, conservatory and carriage house rise again as they did in Frank Lloyd Wright and Darwin Martin's day," says John Courtin. "This is a momentous occasion, a once-in-a-lifetime chance that we want to share with you, with the community, with our members, our friends and anyone who wants to see history being "remade."