Japanese Prints for Darwin Martin House

Descendants of Darwin Martin have donated six Japanese prints to the Martin House Restoration Corp. for display in Buffalo’s Darwin Martin House. More than just one-time furnishings of the Darwin Martin House, the prints were personally chosen by Frank Lloyd Wright for the home, adding an invaluable authentic touch to the restored home.

“It’s heartwarming,” said Mary F. Roberts, executive director of the Martin House Restoration Corp. “It’s fitting and appropriate that the Martin descendants believe the prints they have inherited from their parents and grandparents should be brought back to their grandparents’ home.”

It’s a sacrifice, but a willing sacrifice, by the family members, who come back frequently to visit the family home being restored on Jewett Parkway.

The six Japanese prints were donated by Darwin Martin “Jerry” Foster, a grandson of the Martins; Mark Armesto, a granddaughter’s husband; and Betsy Mudra, a great-granddaughter.

“The Martin family has set a wonderful example with these gifts,” said Martin House curator Eric Jackson-Forsberg. “It shows a real respect and love for the house, and an understanding of how important these prints were to the interior that Wright envisioned.”

The prints won’t be installed in the house until late Fall 2011, after the completion of restoration in July of that year. The donation dovetails With efforts to attract more Japanese tourists to the complex.