Buffalo's City Hall: The Politics of Architecture and Design

Guest curator Theodore Lownie.

Catalogue titled Buffalo City Hall: Americanesque Masterpiece, essay by John H. Conlin.

     Organized in collaboration with the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier, this exhibition and book were the first devoted to this nationally significant building.  The City Hall Building is one of the finest Art Deco structures in American civic architecture.  Its design byBuffaloarchitects John J. Wade and George J. Dietel, with Sullivan W. Jones ofNew York, exemplified a "new spirit of originality in American architecture."  Native American iconography is featured in mosaics and other details.  The exhibition analyzed the building through original drawings, photographs, and plans, including commissioned photographs of City Hall's distinctive multi-colored tile vaulting and frieze work.

     Support provided by the Frank L. Ciminelli Construction Co., Inc., Saperston & Day P.C., Key Bank ofNew York, theBuffaloand Western New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, City ofBuffalo,CountyofErie, and theNew YorkStateCouncil on the Arts.

     A smaller touring version renamed Biff Henrich: Images of City Hall traveled to Buffalo City Hall, City of Buffalo Mayor’s Conference Room, 209 City Hall, January 16 – June 29, 2001