Docent Events Calendar Now Available

Rather than searching thru your emails, you can now find the latest on docent events by clicking the link at the right (under Frequently Used). It provides additional options to get directions and to add the event to your own calendar.

Docent to Docent Continuing Education Forums

Welcomes guest speaker:

Irene Ayad

Beyond the Script - What Does 'Revival' Really Mean?

Getting your Georgian Revival and your Federal revival mixed up? How about your Gothic and your Richardsonian? Buff state professor Irene Ayad will talk about architecture, revival art forms and what it really means.

Come join us and refresh your architectural terminology at this fun, relaxed, and informative D2D dutch treat forum.

When: 7:00pm Tuesday, June 15th

Where: The Place

229 Lexington Avenue

Buffalo, NY

An RSVP is not necessary, but is appreciated.

Please respond to Docent2Docent@gmail.com

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What would you like to see at future forums? Submit your ideas or comments to Docent2Docent@gmail.com

Docent to docent Organizational forum

The first Docent-to-Docent (D2D) forum was held at Bullfeathers on Tuesday May 11th. 16 docents braved a rainy night to attend the initial presentation of the 'D2D Continuing Education Forum'. The powerpoint presented was created by a few docents who have met over the last several months (Marla Bujnicki, John Fagant, Paul & Cindy Gorski). It had been previewed at the May monthly docent administrative meeting. The purpose of D2D Continuing Education is to establish a regular forum run by docents for docents to share and compare experiences and knowledge with the goal of growing as a docent - and to have fun doing so!
This initial meeting announced the concept and sought ideas and input from ALL docents. A few topics were given as examples for a framework of the forum. These included Current Events around Buffalo, Recognition, Guest Speakers, Docent Speakers and a Book Club. Attendees were asked to consider what they heard and respond back with their ideas. The intent is to have all docents engaged and contributing in what ever way they feel comfortable.
Communication tools to be used include the existing docent only blog( http://btdocent.blogspot.com), a flickr page for pictures( http://www.flickr.com/groups/buffalotours/) and a new docent email for D2D (docent2docent@gmail.com).
Part of the monthly forum will be annoucements and discussions of pertinent items such as Tabling opportunities, the Docent Census, the Scavenger Hunt and the new Tour garb available for purchase.
The next meeting will be at The Place on June 15th at 7pm. Alll docents are encouraged to send their ideas and questions to the new D2D gmail account. We will compile all ideas and present them at the next meeting. The purpose of that meeting will be to put in place the format for D2D Continuing Education Forums. Please join us!

Docent Gear for Purchase

Docent Tom Mudra has set up a way to buy some Buffalo Tours gear. If you're interested, check these out and E-mail Buffalo Tours with your order.

Polo Shirt: light blue, logo on left chest, name on right chest
Cost $18.00 ea.. men or women sizes..s,m.l,xl,..$2.00 more for xxl and up.....plus $3.00 for name

Fleece Vest: navy blue, logo on left chest, name on right chest
Cost $25.00 ea...men or women sizes..s,m,l,xl...$2.00 more for xxl and up.....plus $3.00 for name

Fleece jacket: navy blue, logo on left chest, name on right chest
Cost $30.00 ea...men or women sizes..s,m,l,xl...$2.00 more for xxl and up.....plus $3.00 for name

Please e-mail order to tgmudra@buffalo.com with specific item wanted, quantity, size, men or women's cut and if you want name added, order will be placed and when received will be be available for pick up in the office. Payment is due when picking up items.

Buffalo Docent Training Begins February 13th

Learn to tell Buffalo’s stories to the world! Beginning February 13th, Buffalo Tours hosts its docent training program for those interested in sharing Buffalo Niagara’s architectural, environmental, cultural, and historical heritage. During weekly Saturday sessions from 9:30am to 12:30pm, trainees will learn about Buffalo’s cultural heritage, develop public speaking skills and practice docenting and concierge techniques.

This year Buffalo Tours partners with the Roycroft Campus Corporation, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, and the Buffalo Religious Arts Center to train volunteers who are passionate about leading tours in the Buffalo Niagara region. Buffalo Tours’ main architectural tour is called Queen City Downtown. Roycroft Campus tours give visitors a glimpse into the 1900’s arts and crafts community located in East Aurora. The TR Site tells visitors about the most famous (or infamous) event in Buffalo’s history, while the Buffalo Religious Arts Center preserves and displays sacred cultural artifacts. Niagara Riverkeeper EcoTours give participants the opportunity to paddle around Strawberry Island and Cayuga Creek, hike the Niagara Gorge and Scajaquada Creek, and lead programs with Buffalo Audubon.

Each Saturday session includes training and related lectures or field trips around Western New York. On field trips, trainees deepen their understanding of local history and current events and the influence of world famous architects like Wright, Green, Richardson, and Olmsted while exploring places like the Roycroft Campus, the Niagara Falls Power Vista, and Gothic Revival cathedrals. The entire class lasts ten weeks.

The first five joint classes run from February 13th to March 13th at different locations. Volunteers choose to continue training with individual organizations for the remaining sessions. A one time fee of $75 will cover the cost of docent training materials and other costs. To register, please fill out an online application at BuffaloTours.org before the February 1st deadline. For more information, call 716-852-3300 or send an email to info@BuffaloTours.org.

Buffalo Tours is a public education program of Preservation Buffalo Niagara, a nonprofit organization created to identify, preserve, protect, promote and revitalize historically and architecturally significant sites, structures, neighborhoods, commercial districts and landscapes in Erie and Niagara Counties. Visit P-B-N.org for details.

Tour Reporting Form

Click here. Under Google Docs, choose File>Print as webpage..

"Elbert Hubbard: An American Original"

The Public Broadcasting System, WNED in Buffalo, is airing a documentary on Elbert Hubbard, of Roycroft fame, on Monday November 23rd, 2009, at 10pm. It was locally produced, but for a national audience.

The recent Buffalo News review of it was very favorable: http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/story/866878.html