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When Mexico Came to Buffalo: Miguel Lerdo de Tejada and his Orquesta Tipica

In 1901, Jose de la Cruz Porfirio Diaz, the President of Mexico and virtual dictator, took a personal interest in his country's image at the Pan-American Expositon. He not only sent a topnotch military band to play at the bandstand, and samples of Mexico's mineral wealth and manufacturers, but also chose the musicians who played at the Midway concession called the "Streets of Mexico." One of the most popular entertainments of the Pan-Am, the Streets were an attempt to replicate a typical Mexican village that tourists might visit with a town square (or plaza), handicraft shops, a restaurant, a tavern (cantina) and even a bullring where bullfights were held whenever the Midway was open. The musicians played folk and popular music of the day on salterios (Mexican-style psalteries, similar to zithers), guitars, bandolones (similar to guitars, shaped more like lutes), violins, bajo-sextos (six-string bass guitars) and marimbas...

To read more of Jean Dickson's story, see page 42 of the Spring 2007 Heritage Magazine. Suscribe now!

Buffalo's Forgotten World War I Ace

As the five planes from the U.S. Air Service's 27th Pursuit Squadron turned home after their training mission over northeast France on July 20, 1918, led by Buffalonian Lt. John Knox MacArthur, violent gusts of wind heavily resisted their Nieuport 28's engines. Thick, low clouds covered the ground, making navigation difficult. Stuck behind German lines and low on fuel, MacArthur and his fellow "Fighting Eagles" were in a precarious position.

To view the rest of this story by Clarence C. Picard, see page 50 in the Spring 2007 Heritage Magazine. Subscribe now!

 

A Testament to Modernism: The Halfpenny House

The modern house designed and built in 1957 by architect Leslie James Halfpenny, for his own residence in the Town of Colden, is now 50 years old. It stands as a timeless expression of an American architectural ideal. Located on a heavily wooded, sloping four-acre lot, the house takes full advantage of the natural site. It is integrated into the side of a hill and overlooks an expansive, picturesque landscape. The design is entirely original, while embodying principals regularly associated with the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. It is a natural house and a piece of organic architecture.

To read more of this story and view the photos of the Halfpenny House, see page 58 of the Spring 2007 Heritage Magazine.

 

 

 

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