Mary Roberts, who began at Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House as a volunteer in 1996 and has served as executive director since 2006, is retiring at the end of the year.
During Roberts' tenure, the prairie-style Martin House in North Buffalo completed a 25-year, $52 million restoration in 2019 – one of the biggest restorations of a Frank Lloyd Wright property in the world. Richard Moe, former president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, called the Martin House "the finest restored Wright site in the U.S."
Roberts called her work at the Martin House a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"I've been honored to lead the charge on one of the most amazing restorations of one of the most iconic pieces of American architecture," Roberts said.
Roberts, who grew up in the Town of Tonawanda, has led the restoration, fundraising and operation of the six-structure Martin House estate, a National Historic Landmark considered one of Wright's finest residential works.
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She was director of finance from 1998 to 2006.
"At its heart, it is a wonderful piece of American architecture that is a symbol of our city's renaissance," Roberts said. "Beyond that, it is a symbol of what a community can do when it sets its mind on doing something great."
She said she has "enjoyed the work immensely," and singled out the "wonderful collection of individuals, organizations, supporters, volunteers, board members and staff" who "cared enough to make it happen."
The current and former Martin House Restoration Corp. board presidents praised Roberts for her leadership through the years.
“On behalf of the entire board of directors, we want to recognize and thank Mary for her extraordinary personal commitment and passion for the Martin House,” said Donna L. DeCarolis, the current president.
“Mary has made a permanent imprint on our museum and raised it to international prominence through creativity, inclusion, community and telling an inspiring story that resonates with generations of visitors from all walks of life, and from locations far and wide,” DeCarolis said.
Former board president John N. Walsh III called Roberts "a leader of matchless integrity, tireless energy and consummate ability."
"Our board will forever be grateful for Mary's leadership," Walsh said.
Roberts said she is leaving with the organization on solid financial ground.
The biggest challenge for the Martin House, she said, is getting past Covid-19. Attendance reached 42,000 visitors in 2019, with every indication of continued growth, she said.
"I'm looking forward over the next few years to seeing the return of leisure and travel tourism," Roberts said. "We're ready, we've got the site, we've got the team and we've got the program and the tours. All we need are the people to be willing to travel again."
The board of directors is using a national executive search firm with knowledge and experience in Western New York to seek Roberts' successor. To apply or recommend a candidate, go to martinhouse@koyapartners.com.