Buffalo Presidential Center - Frances Folsom Cleveland Collection - October 21st - 2007
   APIC members Mark D. Evans (#995) of Avon, NY and Bren Price (#3969) of Williamsville, NY are working with a steering committee to launch the Buffalo Presidential Center. The group, currently applying for 501C3 non-profit status, hopes to establish a permanent museum to facilitate the study of the careers and influences of Buffalo-area leaders who shaped presidential politics and American history. Focusing primarily on Millard Fillmore and Grover Cleveland, Buffalo-born First Lady Frances Folsom Cleveland but also including William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt and recent presidential hopeful and VP nominee Jack Kemp, the group is planning a series of events to spark local interest in the project.
   The kick-off event will be the display of the Mark D. Evans collection of memorabilia related to Buffalo-born First Lady Frances Folsom Cleveland. Evans' extensive collection includes ribbons, badges, pins, cabinet photos, autographs, advertising trade cards, silver spoons, tobacco tags, porcelain cane heads, plaques, paperweights, pin holders, stereo-view cards, engravings and lithographed prints, a photo album, sheet music and, a personal item: an alligator card case with her initials "FFC" embossed upon it.
   The exhibit will take place on Grand Island, NY (near Buffalo), at River Lea, the elegant 1873 Victorian summer home of Cleveland's uncle, Lewis F. Allen. Cleveland spent extensive time there during his years in Buffalo. River Lea is the headquarters of the Grand Island Historical Society and is maintained by the New York State Parks Dept. A public reception is planned for Sunday, October 21 from 1-4 p.m. APIC members and guests are invited. Future exhibits will feature Millard Fillmore, Grover Cleveland and Jack Kemp.