The history of Allentown goes beyond its thriving bar scene: the neighborhood has become one of Buffalo's main art, cultural and historical districts.
This Saturday, the International Student and Scholar Services will coordinate a guided historical walking tour of Allentown.
Todd Mitchell, a professional tour guide with a passion for beautiful architecture and historical preservation, will lead UB students through the historical neighborhood north of downtown Buffalo. Mitchell would like to introduce students to a more traditional side of Buffalo neighborhoods.
"Allentown is one of the richest neighborhoods in the country in terms of architecture," Mitchell said. "We have some of the greatest architectural works of Frederick Law Olmsted, Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, and H.H. Richardson."
Allentown has a national reputation as one of the oldest and largest historical districts in America. It was once home to U.S. President Millard Fillmore, and authors Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
The neighborhood boasts landmarks, including Arlington Park, which was redesigned by Frederick Law Olmsted (one of the architects who designed Central Park in Manhattan) and was home to Frank Lloyd Wright while he worked in Buffalo. The Butler Mansion, which is currently UB's Jacobs Executive Development Center, and Kleinhan's Music Hall, home to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, are all within walking distance of Allen Street.
Additionally, the neighborhood is home to the Theodore Roosevelt's Inaugural Site at the Wilcox Mansion and Symphony Circle, which is part of the extensive parks and parkways system designed by Frederick Law Olmstead.
Allentown has also become a popular neighborhood for local students to reside in. Brittany Cesar, a junior cognitive science major and a Spectrum staff writer, recently moved to Allentown.
"The turn-of-the-century architecture is definitely worth seeing," Cesar said. "Allentown is a unique, quirky little area that connects you to the downtown Buffalo strip. I moved there because of the quaint neighborhood and community feel."
The historical walking tours will take place throughout the year and are coordinated by the ISSS team in collaboration with other organizations at UB.
With a small and dedicated staff, the ISSS supports and assists a diverse community of international students and scholars at UB. Their services range from helping students maintain their immigration status, to offering support and insight about life in Western New York and easing the transition to life in the United States.
Eric Comins, an international student adviser and coordinator for student programs, believes the guided historical walks are a great opportunity for international students at UB to meet new people and learn more about Buffalo's history and culture.
"The number of new students we welcomed [this year] was close to 1,200," Comins said. "We are extremely proud of our staff and students. This year's cohort of new students was among the most involved we have ever seen. We are delighted to be able to serve such a wonderfully diverse group."
Mitchell, a UB alumnus, has extensive training and experience with students who speak English as a second language. He is certain that students will not only learn something, but they will have a great deal of fun as well.
"By visiting the sites and hearing Buffalo's story, students will come away with a greater sense this place where they will potentially spend several years," Mitchell said. "I also want to introduce them to a few things and places to go in their free time. I can even tailor [the tour] to certain interests and background knowledge."
The tour group will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the South Campus metro station. Mitchell plans to start with a residential walk-through and will proceed onto various other historical sites in the neighborhood. The tour will last over two hours and will offer an optional post-tour lunch.
Reservations are still being accepted. Interested students and faculty members can submit their reservations to 210 Talbert Hall by 2 p.m. this Friday. The cost for the tour is $8 and the Metro ticket to Allen St. is $3.50 from South Campus.
E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com
