About LSNF

What is the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier and how does it serve the community?
By Dennis Galucki, Executive Director

LSNF is a not-for-profit originally established in 1970 to save the historic Coit House in Buffalo, and in 1992 began the process of saving the Hull House in Lancaster.

Current mission
The Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier is dedicated to enhancing appreciation of the built and natural landmarks in the Niagara Region using various lifelong learning and story telling techniques.

Core understandings
Landmarks are our future

All landmarks tell stories, but only through storytellers using various techniques

Who we are is rooted in where we are presently, and where we are is rooted in an understanding of our past, an appreciation of the present and a vision of our future.

Vision
Create quality and meaningful lifelong learning and story telling experiences for our residents, visitors, and tourists, emphasizing architecture, art, history & nature, thereby designing a vision of our future as an international destination.

We serve the community by:

Leading the community through communication and unique collaborations with
.......other not-for-profits and foundations, the private sector and government
.......entities
Awarding best examples in design, development and education that enhances
.......appreciation of neighborhood landmarks
Nurturing the Buffalo architecture story
Demanding and supporting history-driven design, development, preservation and
.......heritage projects
Making land marking signs regionally abundant and consistent
Administering quality and meaningful tours
Revealing the region through publications
Keeping a comprehensive landmark website

Goal
Expand sustainable storytelling in our Buffalo-Niagara region through awards, lectures, publications, signage, tours, websites, and collaborative history-driven preservation and development projects by aligning ourselves with other like-minded community organizations to accomplish our goals and "get things done" to improve the quality of life in our region.

Officers / Trustees / Directors 2007-2008

Officers
Tony Fryer, President
Chuck LaChiusa, Vice President
Michael Stock, Treasurer
Sharon Keller, Secretary		 Board of Trustees
Paul Bergman
Michele Brozek
James Cammarata
R. Maura Cohen
Gary Costello
John Duffner
Joseph Finnerty
Hon. David Franczyk
Appleton Fryer
Harvey Garrett
W. Gavin Gilmor
Ralph Halpern
Sharon Keller
Frank Kowsky
Chuck LaChiusa
Louise McClive
Kevin McDonough
Carla Singleton
Michael Stock
Jeffrey Stravino
Douglas Swift
Martin Wachadlo
Kathleen Weaver
Thomas Yots		 Trustees Emeriti
Richard Baer
Henry Baxter
Clinton Brown, AIA
Daniel Drzewiecki
Jean Sanders
Robert Shibley, AIA, AICP
Executive Director
Dennis Galucki		  

History

The Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier was founded in 1969 when a group of concerned citizens purchased the oldest Federal Style house in Buffalo, NY, called the Coit House that was vacant and slated for demolition.

The Coit family were prominent early settlers in Buffalo. In the latter part of the 19th century, the building was moved from its original downtown Buffalo location due to the commercialization of the neighborhood to its present site on Virginia Street near Elmwood Avenue. This successful intervention not only saved a part of Buffalo's 19th century architecture, but provided a home to new owners dedicated to its rehabilitation with covenants held by the Landmark Society prohibiting unauthorized exterior changes in the future.

The historic preservation movement began in the City of Buffalo by the designation of the Coit House c.1818 Federal-style building as its first local landmark. The Landmark Society's initial accomplishment secured it a permanent seat on the Buffalo Preservation Board forming a working partnership of advocates committed to preserve and protect the historic fabric of Buffalo.

With a membership of approximately 250, in a geographic area encompassing eight counties, the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier is dedicated to enhancing public awareness of the value of each community's architectural and historic heritage. Buffalo's pioneering historic preservationists have led and been active in the Landmark Society, and today it stands as the primary and premier public, not-for-profit historic preservation organization in the community.

Activities / Accomplishments

The Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier is dedicated to enhancing the appreciation of the built and natural landmarks in the Niagara Region through education and advocacy. The Society accomplishes its mission through the following:

Past LSNF Facilitated Symposiums:

Publications

Partial or complete funding of the following:

Advocacy

Acquired to Restore and Protect

List of Buildings Saved with the aid of LSNF

Partial or complete funding of the following:

Tour Scripts

Home Page