Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D Martin House
Prairie Style
Back to Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D Martin House
The docent was very knowledgable and I learned a bit about Wright's archetecture and the life of the owner of the home. I am happy to see what I did. However, unfortunately, the house is not worth the full admission price unless you just want to support this worthy cause. The house is still in much disrepair as of 2008, and the tour covered only a portion of the house and grounds. Paint was peeling in places, the fireplace wall covering was completely gone, most of the stained glass windows were missing but showed substitute coloring, and the entire kitchen showed no original (or final) characteristics, to name some of the disrepair. Kitchen cabinets, countertops and floor were all of incorrect materials. The tour didn't include the upstairs, nor the separate house, and the grounds were completely torn up. We saw no bed or bathrooms. Only the conservatory and pergola were in tip top shape. Had I seen the entire property, or had the parts I'd seen been in really good shape, it may have been worth 15/person. Although I wasn't told initially, I learned after starting the tour that there is an extended tour, that included more of the property, so I felt that others may have gotten a better value than I did. Most of the tour involved standing in one place and listening to a lecture, then moving to the next place as a group, with approx 8 stations to stand and listen, most of which were not properly restored, but did show interesting Wright ideas. One room, thankfully, included chairs, which I desperately needed as I have difficulty standing for long periods.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Aug 28 2008
The enthusiastic docent led tour was inspiring. Unlike other Wright sites we didn't get a lecture about Wrights life but more about the Prairie structure and the surprisingly interesting life of the owner Darwin Martin. If you have any interest in Architecture or Wright or turn of the century Buffalo then take the extended tour where they let you also into the furnished Gardeners Cottage. It will be Wheelchair accessible by Summer 2008. not for kids.
Reviewed by: x from on Mar 22 2008
The structure is wonderful and the restoration job is going along nicely. To go on a tour is like being in school, standing at attention, don't lean on anything, don't stay, don't interrupt etc.
Reviewed by: eyeof the beholder from on Dec 18 2007
I visited the Martin house in September of 2007 and I was stunned it is a masterpiece of Prarrie design. Very knoledgeable tour staff and educational as well as interesting at the same time!
Reviewed by: DawnL from on Nov 26 2007
We enjoyed the docent and her knowledge of the man and his thoughts on design and nature. History cannot repeat itself through Frank Wright. He has to be an original in many of his designs and thoughts. He captures lights, ect. and brings it into his houses. I would recommend this to tourist and the hometown crowd. What a valuable piece of history Buffalo has in its possession!
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 21 2007
Just when you think you have this house figured out - Wham! You come around a corner and there is one surprise after another. What an amazing house. I could spend my entire vacation exploring this place. Gotta come out for wings, though. :-)
Reviewed by: Sue from on May 11 2007
This house is brilliant, a true work of art. The attention to detail is amazing. Anyone who's even remotely interested in Frank Lloyd Wright and his work would love the tour. The tour guides were full of information and willing to ask any and all questions we had.
Reviewed by: laura from on Nov 09 2006
I remember first getting my drivers license almost twenty five years ago and driving around western New York. I will never forget the first time I happened to turn down Jewett parkway off of Main street in Buffalo. I was so impressed by the flagship Pierce-Arrow showroom on the corner of Main and Jewett...at the time it was still an automobile dealership selling Cadillacs. It was so impressive...such detail on the facade and in the showroom.
Reviewed by: pyrexmaniac from on Jun 15 2006
Prairie Style
Back to Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D Martin House
The docent was very knowledgable and I learned a bit about Wright's archetecture and the life of the owner of the home. I am happy to see what I did. However, unfortunately, the house is not worth the full admission price unless you just want to support this worthy cause. The house is still in much disrepair as of 2008, and the tour covered only a portion of the house and grounds. Paint was peeling in places, the fireplace wall covering was completely gone, most of the stained glass windows were missing but showed substitute coloring, and the entire kitchen showed no original (or final) characteristics, to name some of the disrepair. Kitchen cabinets, countertops and floor were all of incorrect materials. The tour didn't include the upstairs, nor the separate house, and the grounds were completely torn up. We saw no bed or bathrooms. Only the conservatory and pergola were in tip top shape. Had I seen the entire property, or had the parts I'd seen been in really good shape, it may have been worth 15/person. Although I wasn't told initially, I learned after starting the tour that there is an extended tour, that included more of the property, so I felt that others may have gotten a better value than I did. Most of the tour involved standing in one place and listening to a lecture, then moving to the next place as a group, with approx 8 stations to stand and listen, most of which were not properly restored, but did show interesting Wright ideas. One room, thankfully, included chairs, which I desperately needed as I have difficulty standing for long periods.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Aug 28 2008
The enthusiastic docent led tour was inspiring. Unlike other Wright sites we didn't get a lecture about Wrights life but more about the Prairie structure and the surprisingly interesting life of the owner Darwin Martin. If you have any interest in Architecture or Wright or turn of the century Buffalo then take the extended tour where they let you also into the furnished Gardeners Cottage. It will be Wheelchair accessible by Summer 2008. not for kids.
Reviewed by: x from on Mar 22 2008
The structure is wonderful and the restoration job is going along nicely. To go on a tour is like being in school, standing at attention, don't lean on anything, don't stay, don't interrupt etc.
Reviewed by: eyeof the beholder from on Dec 18 2007
I visited the Martin house in September of 2007 and I was stunned it is a masterpiece of Prarrie design. Very knoledgeable tour staff and educational as well as interesting at the same time!
Reviewed by: DawnL from on Nov 26 2007
We enjoyed the docent and her knowledge of the man and his thoughts on design and nature. History cannot repeat itself through Frank Wright. He has to be an original in many of his designs and thoughts. He captures lights, ect. and brings it into his houses. I would recommend this to tourist and the hometown crowd. What a valuable piece of history Buffalo has in its possession!
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 21 2007
Just when you think you have this house figured out - Wham! You come around a corner and there is one surprise after another. What an amazing house. I could spend my entire vacation exploring this place. Gotta come out for wings, though. :-)
Reviewed by: Sue from on May 11 2007
This house is brilliant, a true work of art. The attention to detail is amazing. Anyone who's even remotely interested in Frank Lloyd Wright and his work would love the tour. The tour guides were full of information and willing to ask any and all questions we had.
Reviewed by: laura from on Nov 09 2006
I remember first getting my drivers license almost twenty five years ago and driving around western New York. I will never forget the first time I happened to turn down Jewett parkway off of Main street in Buffalo. I was so impressed by the flagship Pierce-Arrow showroom on the corner of Main and Jewett...at the time it was still an automobile dealership selling Cadillacs. It was so impressive...such detail on the facade and in the showroom.
Reviewed by: pyrexmaniac from on Jun 15 2006
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