First Niagara Bank & East Hill Foundation
Fund Gift Shop and Historic Exhibits

The Graycliff Conservancy has announced funding in the amount of $25,096 from First Niagara Bank Foundation and $15,000 from East Hill Foundation to create a gift shop integrated with educational exhibits in the recently completed Graycliff visitor center. Hadley Exhibits of Buffalo donated the design work for this critical project and will be implementing the proposal at cost, for a total in-kind donation of $16,591.

"We are proud to support such a wonderful, collaborative effort and we salute the volunteers who made the restoration of Graycliff Estate possible," said First Niagara Bank's Senior Vice President of Customer & Community Affairs, Patricia D. Barry. "The revenue generated from the gift shop will help keep their vision alive and flourishing while aiding tourism in our community. Meanwhile, the educational exhibits will further preserve the rich history of Frank Lloyd Wright."

The plan by Hadley Exhibits combines the gift shop furnishings with archival images, thereby allowing Graycliff visitors to "learn while they shop." Additional displays will compliment the historical information presented during Graycliff tours; advance the public's education and understanding of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural achievements; his design philosophy as it relates to Graycliff and the story of the Wright-Martin family relationship.

The gift shop and exhibits will be completed by April 2002, in time for the start of next year' s tour season. The gift shop proposal also coincides with anticipated increased attendance from several upcoming binational and regional tourism initiatives, including the Binational Summer Event Showcase of the Niagaras. A total of 250,000 brochures highlighting one major event at each attraction will be distributed in New York State and Southern Ontario. The Conservancy has chosen to promote the Larkin Premium Exposition, which will be held July 26-28, 2002 in the binational brochure.

The Conservancy will also be participating in the Burchfield-Penney Art Center's upcoming public arts project Cycle/Recycle: Artists Reinvent the Wheel in 2003. This exhibition is expected to draw more than one million visitors, including approximately 65,000 out-of-town guests. Graycliff will be the only Frank Lloyd Wright site included in this event.

18 December, 2001

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