martinhouseclr

131 2 // SITE HISTORY & EVOLUTION the house and operate it as a museum. In 1993, agreement was developed between the MHRC, the University at Buffalo, State University of New York and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation that outlined the organizational foundation. A collection of sponsors, including a local bank and private corporations purchased the Barton House from Eleanor Larrabee in 1994. It was also in 1994 that the MHRC purchased the three apartment buildings, bringing back together nearly all the former land parcels once owned by Martin. 271 Restoration efforts proceeded under MHRC ownership, now with the intention of restoring existing structures and reconstructing missing structures, having hired Hamilton Houston Lownie Architects in 1996 to lead the efforts. In 2002, the MHRC took title of the Martin House building from the University and began preliminary stabilization work on the main house. 272 Once the separated properties had been recombined and funds were available, the MHRC proceeded with the reconstruction of the pergola, conservatory and carriage house beginning in 2004 and concluding in 2008. The outstanding parcel remaining outside of MHRC ownership was the Gardener’s Cottage, which was purchased from private owners in 2006. The reconstruction of the missing 271 Martin House Restoration Corporation, Martin House Reference Sheet, http://www.darwinmartinhouse.org/reference_ sheet.php, 2007, accessed 24 July 2014. 272 Ibid., accessed 24 July 2014. Fig. 129 Landscape inventory completed c. 1991. Plant material original to Martin era highlighted.