‘Civility Tour’ stirs hopes of funding help

0 Comments | Buffalo News, Jul 27, 2010 | by Jackie Smith

A visit from the head of the National Endowment for the Humanities has many local cultural organizations anxious for his company and the endowment’s support.

NEH Chairman Jim Leach stopped in Buffalo on Monday for a two- day visit amid his national “Civility Tour” and has made appearances thus far at Niagara Falls, Old Fort Niagara and the Darwin Martin House, where an entourage of culture enthusiasts arrived and welcomed him.

“I’m not here to announce any grants of any nature,” he said, though he acknowledged that, historically, area art exhibits and historic events or happenings have received such support.

Part of the visit’s intent is to make headway speaking with local academic and business leaders, as well as legislators. Leach spoke of a few personal ties he has to the area, particularly with Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, D-Fairport, whom he called one the “loveliest ladies” in Congress.

At the Darwin Martin House complex at 125 Jewett Parkway, Leach took a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed facilities and received a presentation from Sandra H. Olsen, director of the University at Buffalo Art Galleries, about a recent collaboration by UB and the Martin House to put on an exhibit of Wright’s Buffalo ventures
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