Diane Chrisman To Replace Carol Bronnenkant
as New President of Graycliff Conservancy Board
Carol Bronnenkant, founding member and president of the Graycliff Conservancy
since the non-profit’s inception in March, 1997, announced today at the
organization’s Annual Meeting that she will be stepping down from her
leadership role. The Graycliff board of directors has endorsed Diane Chrisman
as the new president of the Conservancy. The change in leadership will officially
take place in April of next year, to best support the Conservancy’s ambitious
restoration-in-progress and its many collaborations with other organizations
in the arts and cultural community.
Carol Bronnenkant became the champion of the grassroots effort to save Graycliff, Frank Lloyd Wright’s landmark summer residence for the Darwin D. Martin family. She and her family toured the property back in January 1997, when the estate was for sale by the Piarist Fathers. The opportunity to save the buildings from possible demolition or development and open the historic site to the public became her mission. Bronnenkant was not alone in her passion to preserve this critical component of Wright’s legacy in Western New York. The board of directors and a dedicated army of volunteers have worked tirelessly during the last six years on everything from managing the restoration, conducting public tours, maintaining the 8.4 acre complex, running special events, marketing the site as a heritage attraction and operating the gift shop.
Noted Bronnenkant, “Graycliff was saved because, rather than wringing their hands over this important landmark’s uncertain future and demanding that ‘somebody do something’ to preserve it, scores of individuals came forward and committed themselves to this unique project. I think Graycliff has become a symbol of all the good that can be achieved when citizens empower themselves. It is a testament to the caliber of people in our community.”
Diane Chrisman is well chosen to take the Conservancy to the next level in its development. She recently retired as Director of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, administering a library system that serves more than 900,000 residents of Erie County and circulates more than 8 million items a year. Ms. Chrisman received a B.A. degree from the University of Vermont and an M.S. in Library Science from Simmons College. Under her direction, public and private funding commitments totaling $5 million was secured for renovation of the Central Library. She also worked with the Erie County Legislature to develop a $1 million grant program to enhance electronic services in the libraries.
Ms. Chrisman’s tremendous depth of experience in working with boards, staff and volunteers, as well as her role as spokesperson for the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, are skills that are expected to help the Graycliff Conservancy transition from a volunteer-based to a more established organization. During the course of her distinguished career, she has been recognized as Rotarian of the Year (’98) and received the Pathfinder Award from the American Association of University Women, Amherst Branch, for her significant contribution as a role model at the highest level of management. In addition, she is the President-elect of the Buffalo Sunrise Rotary Club, past president of the Zonta Club of Buffalo and a current member of Working for Downtown.
Chrisman said, "Graycliff's board of directors, volunteers and, especially Carol Bronnenkant have achieved remarkable success in preserving this historic landmark. Their commitment and hard work are an inspiration to everyone in the community who values our architectural treasures. It is a privilege to work with this dedicated group to restore Graycliff's architectural integrity and beauty."
24 September, 2003