• Graycliff (1926 - Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect) was designed and built at the request of Isabelle R. (Mrs. Darwin) Martin. Because of her failing eyesight, she demanded a light-filled residence, unlike the very dark Darwin Martin House in Buffalo.

• The main house is on the left and the guest house is on the right in this photo.

• Designed originally as a garage with an apartment above for the chauffeur and his family, after the first summer the design was enlarged by Wright for use as a summer house for the Martin's daughter Dorothy, her husband James Foster, and their children Margaret and Darwin Martin Foster.

• A view of the main house at Graycliff: The following sequence of photos shows views from a walk completely around the house.

• Wright intended this area below the steps and between the stone walls to be filled with water.

• It would have had an 'infinity pool' effect between the house and the lake. Mrs. Martin vetoed that idea and it was never filled with water.

• This tower contains a dilapidated stairway from house level to lake level, about forty feet below.

• A view of downtown Buffalo from Graycliff

• A view of downtown Buffalo from Graycliff

• Continuing the trek around the main house

• A view into the Dining Room from the back yard

• A view into the Dining Room from the back yard

• A view into and through the Dining Room from the back yard

• The gateway at the southeast corner of the main house leading back to the front yard

• A view from the front yard, through the Great Room, to Lake Erie and Ontario, Canada beyond

• Back to the front of the house: This concludes the walk around the house.

• The Entry Foyer: We have entered the house and are beginning our interior tour.

• The Great Room and its massive fireplace. The hallway to the right leads to the Dining Room and the Kitchen.

• The fireplace in the Dining Room

• Dining Room

• Dining Room

• Darwin Martin was an executive at Larkin Soap Co.

• Larkin Soap was one of the first companies to use premiums, like these plates, to encourage people to buy their products.

• The main house has a large basement. Part of the modern HVAC system is shown at the right.

• The original water storage and distribution system is shown here.

• We next headed upstairs to see the bedrooms.

• The 'Diamond' window at the top of the main staircase

• The 'Diamond' window at the top of the main staircase

• The office in the southwest corner of the second floor

• The bedrooms and bathrooms are located on the north (lake) side of the second floor hallway (to the left in this photo).

• Door hinge (closed)

• Door hinge (open): This hinge design allows the door to be opened so that it folds completely back against the wall.

• Graycliff may have been Wright's first use of the 'low-boy' toilet.

• The bedrooms have access to this deck, which has a view of Lake Erie.

• A view of Lake Erie from the deck

• View of the roof from the deck

• The new roof shingles appear to be a composite material.

• The entrance to the Foster (guest) House from the main house side. The small building (front-left) is a gardener/storage shed.

• The entrance to the Foster (guest) House from the main house side. The small building (front-left) is a gardener/storage shed.

• Inside the storage shed

• M&T was founded in 1856 in Western New York state as 'Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company'. It was a major funder of the Graycliff restoration. This building houses the Visitor Center and Gift Shop.

• The tennis courts, next to the Visitor Center/Gift Shop, are the final part of the restoration.

• Our tour group: Pat Mahoney, on the right in the orange jacket, is the architect who worked tirelessly to obtain funding and manage the entire restoration project.