The Martin House Complex - Frank Lloyd Wright's 1904 masterwork is currently under restoration. Access to the interior of the Darwin Martin House will be temporarily unavailable during restoration. The Basic Tour of the complex has been enhanced by the inclusion of the Barton House and Gardener’s Cottage, normally seen only on the In-depth tour. The In-depth tour, offered only on weekends during the interior restoration, will include spaces not previously available to visitors. Full tour descriptions are below. The Martin House Complex is currently not handicap accessible.
All tours of the Complex are docent-led, and begin at the Eleanor and Wilson Greatbatch Pavilion, next door to the Darwin Martin House. Please park in the Buffalo Zoo parking lot at the corner of Jewett Parkway and Parkside Avenue. Simply tell our Visitor Services staff that you parked in the Zoo lot, and they will give you a token so that you can exit the parking lot.
On the Basic Tour you will examine the exterior of the Darwin D. Martin House as your docent unravels Frank Lloyd Wright's genius in creating intricate harmonies in architecture. You will also visit the first floor of the Barton House (1903) the first residence built on this 1.5 acre property in the historic Parkside neighborhood. The tour continues to the Gardener’s Cottage (1909) where you will see Wright's concept for affordable housing beautifully executed. The tour continues to the pergola, conservatory and first floor of the Carriage House. This tour is not wheelchair accessible: there is considerable walking, standing and stair-climbing is involved.Â
In-Depth Tour - 2 hours
The docent-led In-Depth Tour will take you to all the spaces included in the Basic tour, plus the second floor of the Barton House and the second floor of the Carriage House not usually on view to the public. You will have the opportunity to see the Carriage House art glass window pattern as you visit the chauffeur’s family apartment. Your docent will expand on the Martin/Wright story to provide even greater context to this architectural masterpiece. This tour is not wheelchair accessible: there is considerable walking, standing and steep stair-climbing is involved. Â
SPECIAL TOUR OFFERINGS AND PACKAGES
TWILIGHT TOURS
Twilight Sets the Stage for the Pergola and Conservatory to Dazzle You!
When twilight turns to nightfall, and the lights come up in the pergola, tours at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House Complex take on a whole new drama! The conservatory and pergola are breathtaking in evening light and the classic Greek sculpture, Nike, really shows off!  Tour begins in the Eleanor and Wilson Greatbatch Pavilion.
Sunday, May 30Â
Friday, June 11Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Friday, July 2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Friday, July 30Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Friday, August 13Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Friday, September 3
Be our special guest at a social evening that combines a leisurely tour of the Martin House Complex with wine, light fare and conversation. Enjoy the site at dusk, when the golden Roman brick of the historic buildings glows and the glass envelope of the Greatbatch Pavilion is transformed by light and reflection. See exclusive spaces in the Complex on this relaxed, intimate, "insider’s" tour.
Tours are offered on the following Wednesday evenings from 5:30-7:30PM:
June 9, June 23 August 11
July 7, July 21 September 8
$45 for Martin House Associates - $55 for non-members
Tours begin at the Barton House, 118 Summit Avenue.
Experience excellence in architecture with a basic or in-depth tour of the Martin House PLUS Frank Lloyd Wright's Fontana Rowing Boathouse, where they are launching their new tour program, and then enjoy LUNCH with a view of Buffalo's scenic Black Rock Channel on Lake Erie's shoreline at the Buffalo Yacht Club. $32/person (package includes basic tour of the Martin House Complex) and $47/person (package includes in-depth tour of the Martin House Complex). Available Wednesday through Saturday. Reservations required at all three venues. For more information, call 716-856-3858.
GROUP TOURS
We are happy to arrange a special tour for your group of 20 or more. Please call Tiona Petty at 716-856-3858 for more information.
COMBINATION TICKET: DARWIN D. MARTIN HOUSE AND GRAYCLIFF
Darwin and Isabelle Martin had two homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright: their city home in Buffalo (1903-05) and a summer home on Lake Erie in nearby Derby, called Graycliff (1926-27). Both are open for tours. You can save on your admission at both sites when you purchase a combination ticket to the Darwin D. Martin House complex and to Graycliff, the Isabelle R. Martin House and Estate. Your purchase can be made at either historic site and has no expiry date - so you can tour both in one day - or save one for a future visit.
Four combination ticket packages available (prices not valid on group tours)
Basic 90-minute tour of the Darwin Martin House and one-hour tour of Graycliff - $26 (value $30)
In-depth tour (2 hours) of both the Darwin Martin House and Graycliff - $56 (value $60)
In-depth tour of Darwin Martin House and basic tour of Graycliff - $41 (value $45)
Basic tour of Darwin Martin House and In-depth tour of Graycliff -- $41 (value $45)
Reservations are required at both sites. Graycliff is located at 6472 Old Lake Shore Road, Derby, New York, a 40-minute drive from the Martin House Complex. 716 947-9217 or www.graycliff.bfn.org.
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