Historically, Graycliff is significant in two main
ways. First, it represents a transitional point from Wright's earlier Prairie
Style to his later concrete designs, for example, at Fallingwater
in Pennsylvania. Elements from both periods are evident in the house's design.
Secondly, Graycliff is a testament to Wright's thirty-three year relationship
with the family of Buffalo Larkin Company
executive Darwin D. Martin. The Martins were one of Wright's most loyal patrons.
Graycliff was the last of three houses built for the family; the first was the Barton House (1903-1904) and
the second was the Martin House (1903-1906),
both located in Buffalo.
Mr. Martin requested a house totaling $16,000. It was Isabelle Martin who had
the most influence over the design of the house. Her failing vision led her to direct
Wright to create a structure full of sunlight and air.
Wright successfully argued that he was designing two houses (one for the servants)
connected by a bridge. Under the bridge was a cantilevered horizon viewed through
glass doors on both sides of the house. The long narrow plan and generous windows
made it possible to channel Lake Erie breezes directly through all of the living
and sleeping spaces. The actual cost spiraled to $64,000.
The building materials were typical of Wright's homes. The
two masses on the sides of the center bridge are built of Tichenor limestone quarried
on the property. The center bridge uses steel piers and cantilevered (horizontal)
beams that support the second floor bedrooms. The exterior stucco is colored an earth-tone
sienna. The wood is Southern cypress.
The Graycliff Conservancy bought the property in 1999 from Piarist priests who
lived here. The Conservancy has already raised $2.3 million for renovation. They
need to raise an additional $3 million, of which $1.1 million is pledged. Renovation
will be based on a number of Conservancy-owned photographs (like the ones above)
and more than 3,000 letters between Wright and the Martin family that are now housed
in the SUNY at Buffalo Archives.
The importance of Graycliff has been obscured by later additions to the house.
See Frank Lloyd Wright's Last Visit To Graycliff, by architectural historian John H.
Conlin.
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East Aurora Connections
Isabelle Reidpath Martin lived in East Aurora
for a while. The house, owned by her father, Alexander Reidpath, still stands,
on Oakwood Avenue, third house southwest of South Grove Street. (Within
the last few years a huge addition was put on the back.)
Next door, on the east side of the Reidpath house, is the home of
Silas Hubbard, father of Elbert, 'Frank' Hubbard Larkin and Mary Hubbard Heath.
The house on the west side of Reidpath house on Oakwood was, for a while,
the home of Elbert and Alice Hubbard. Elizabeth (Betty) Reidpath
tells us her father was named for Elbert Hubbard who was "their neighbor"
when he was born. That puts another Reidpath family in the A. W. Reidpath-owned
East Aurora home.
Isabelle's father, Alexander W. Reidpath, worked for a while at the East Aurora
Preserving Company. The East Aurora Advertiser notes on January 20,
1882, "A.W. Reidpath started on an extended western trip last Tuesday in the
interests of the East Aurora Preserving Co. introducing their goods."
She attended the Aurora Academy which was the forerunner of the current school
on Main Street. The Academy actually faced North Grove Street.
When Isabelle and Darwin were married the news story noted the bride's "many
East Aurora friends."
To the left, of that house stands the house owned by "Frank"
Larkin which is the house Dr. Silas Hubbard and his wife -- the parents of both
'Frank' and Elbert Hubbard -- lived in after moving east from Illinois.
A house on Hillcrest, off Maple, was built by the Heaths.
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The Graycliff Conservancy, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated
to preserving and providing public access to the Graycliff Estate in Derby, NY.
The Estate is comprised of the two-story, 6,500 square-foot Isabelle R. Martin House
and accompanying Foster House and Heat Hut, as well as extensive grounds.
Graycliff was designed by the renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright for
the late Isabelle R. Martin and her husband, Larkin Company executive Darwin D. Martin.
The Estate served as the Martins' summer home from 1928 to the mid-1940's.
Built between 1926 and 1927 and situated on a 70-foot cliff overlooking Lake Erie,
Graycliff is an architectural jewel set on a scenic 8.4 acre estate.
Graycliff is open to the public for tours Tuesday-Sunday from April through November.
Please call for reservations and information (716) 947-9217. |
