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More inside tours scheduled by Explore Buffalo

Nov 26, 2018 | Events

More inside tours in some of Buffalo’s most historic buildings have been scheduled by Explore Buffalo throughout the month of December.

Inside Temple Beth Zion
Date: December 1, 2 p.m.
Place: Temple Beth Zion, 805 Delaware Ave., Buffalo
Cost: General Admission $15, Student Admission $5, Explorer Pass Admission $10

The Temple Beth Zion congregation was founded in 1850, and for many years had its home on Delaware Avenue next to the Twentieth Century Club. Following a devastating fire in 1961, the congregation moved to a new home a few blocks away on Delaware Avenue which opened in 1966. The new temple was designed by prominent architect Max Abramowitz of Harrison & Abramowitz, who planned both the United Nations Headquarters and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.

Temple Beth Zion is one of the most striking houses of worship in Buffalo, with a highly symbolic design that also makes use of unique stained glass. On this tour, discover the symbolism of Temple Beth Zion’s design and admire the stained glass that will be seen in all their glory during the daytime. Also included on this tour will be the Cofeld Judaic Museum, which documents the history of the Jewish community in Western New York.

Meet at Temple Beth Zion at 805 Delaware Ave., Buffalo. Parking is available in Temple Beth Zion’s parking lot, entered from Barker Street. This tour is approximately 90 minutes to two hours in length, with time available for photography. This tour is entirely indoors. 

Inside St. Mary’s School for the Deaf
Date: December 6, 6 p.m.
Place: St. Mary’s School for the Deaf, 2253 Main St., Buffalo
Cost: General Admission $15, Student Admission $10, Explorer Pass Admission $10

St. Mary’s School for the Deaf, established in Buffalo in 1853 as the first academic school for the deaf in the country, was relocated from Edward Street to its current location on Main Street in 1898. This two-hour walking tour highlights the beautiful architecture of this historic building and offers fascinating information about the history and culture of deaf people in the Buffalo area. The tour also offers a glimpse into the current world of educating deaf and hard of hearing students in the 21st century.

Highlights of the tour include original woodwork from 1898, stained glass windows in the former chapel, the school’s cherished museum which houses a wealth of artifacts and photographs from throughout the decades at St. Mary’s, and a brief meet and greet with a few of the school’s residential students which comprise approximately 30 percent of the current school population. Join us for a one-of-a-kind tour in one of Buffalo’s iconic buildings!

This tour meets at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf at 2253 Main St., Buffalo. Enter the driveway from Main Street to use the parking lot which is behind the buildings; the main entrance faces the parking lot and is up a flight of stairs to the right of the bridge that the driveway goes underneath.

The tour is indoors (in good weather, a small amount of the tour may be outside). This tour is approximately two miles of indoor walking within the building. Stairs are typically used, but elevators are available if needed. 

Tour admission fees are shared with the school to support their museum and archives.

Inside Tri-Main
Date: December 12, 2 p.m.
Place: Tri-Main Center, 2495 Main St., Buffalo. This tour meets at the Tri-Main Center at 2495 Main St. Please note the main entrance to the building lobby is on Halbert Street, adjacent to the building’s parking lots.
Cost: General Admission $15, Student Admission $5, Explorer Pass Holders Free

Join Explore Buffalo for a tour inside one of Buffalo’s most historic industrial buildings! The Tri-Main Center’s history encompasses four different eras, beginning with Ford in 1915, and continuing through Bell Aircraft and Trico to the present day as a mixed-use facility housing over 100 different companies over six floors and 575,000 square feet. This tour will highlight the past, present and future of this massive building. As we wind our way through the Tri-Main Center, you’ll learn about the building’s history and see some of the current tenants. 

This tour is approximately two hours in length. The tour is indoors (in good weather, a small amount of the tour may be outside). This tour is approximately one mile of indoor walking within the building. Stairs are typically used, but an elevator is available if needed.

Inside Corpus Christi Church
Date: December 16, 12 p.m.
Place: Corpus Christi Church, 199 Clark St., Buffalo
Cost: General Admission $15, Student Admission $5, Explorer Pass Admission $10

Corpus Christi Church is a landmark of Buffalo’s East Side, with its easily recognizable twin Medina sandstone towers topped by copper domes. Completed in 1909 at a time when thousands of Polish immigrants were arriving in Buffalo, Corpus Christi was built with a seating capacity of 1,650. A highlight of the interior is the extraordinary reproduction of Raphael’s Disputa above the main altar, which was restored in 2011. The interior also features beautiful stained glass windows by Mayer of Munich. Join us to tour this proud legacy of Buffalo’s Polish immigrant community. On this interior tour, you will see the inside of this spectacular church and learn about the history of Buffalo’s Polish community. 

This tour meets inside the front entrance of Corpus Christi Church at 199 Clark St., Buffalo.

Inside Blessed Trinity Church
Date: December 30, 12:30 p.m.
Place: Blessed Trinity Church, 317 Leroy Ave., Buffalo. Parking is available in the church’s parking lot.
Cost: General Admission $15, Student Admission $5, Explorer Pass Admission $10 

An extraordinary example of Lombard Romanesque style architecture, this interior tour of Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church is not to be missed! With over 2,000 symbols depicted in terra cotta tiles, painting and sculpture, Blessed Trinity is a work of art that can never be replicated due to the exceptional level of craftsmanship that is no longer available. Completed in 1928 at a cost of over a half million dollars, the church is considered one of the purest examples of 12th Century Lombard-Romanesque style in the United States.

This interior tour will highlight the spectacular interior details of the church, explaining the symbolism of this amazing display of Christian iconography. All proceeds from this tour will benefit the Blessed Trinity “Under This Roof” Fund that provides for ongoing repairs, restoration and maintenance of this landmark church.

Advance reservations for all tours are encouraged but not required. All credit card payments must be made in advance. Advance reservations with a credit card can be made online until the tour starting time. Cash or checks are accepted at the start of the tour. If you make an advance reservation, please print your confirmation email, or be prepared to show it on your phone.

Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather; tours will proceed rain or shine. Cameras are encouraged! Please note that tours will be cancelled if there is a Travel Advisory in place in the City of Buffalo.

For more information or to book your tour, please visit explorebuffalo.org.

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