What you should know.
The Martin House is located at 125 Jewett Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14214.
Parking: Located in a residential neighborhood, there is space for limited on-street, free parking. However, please note the posted signs. There is one area in front of the house reserved for bus drop off, and parking is restricted on certain sides of the street on specific days.
Personal belongings: Large bags and backpacks are not allowed inside the Martin House on tours, so please leave large bags and backpacks in the car or at home. We do not have space available to hold luggage or store personal items on-site.
In addition, strollers and car seat carriers are not permitted. Only front-facing baby carriers are allowed in the historic buildings.
When to arrive: We recommend arriving 15-20 minutes prior to the beginning of your tour to explore the Eleanor & Wilson Greatbatch Pavilion, our visitor center. Doors open half an hour before the first tour of the day.
Inside the pavilion you will discover interpretive displays designed to enhance the story of how great architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright intersected with Darwin D. Martin’s enlightened patronage, and will explore the context of their times. Learn more about the visitor center.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions when planning a visit to the Martin House.
Do I need a reservation?
Advance reservations are strongly encouraged. To ensure you have a safe and positive experience during your visit, we limit the number of visitors on a tour and are often sold out.
Find information about our tour offerings and how to make advance reservations here.
Can I take photos?
Due to safety and security reasons, photos inside The Martin House, Barton House, and Gardener’s Cottage are prohibited. Photography is allowed on the pergola and in the conservatory.
If you are interested in taking interior photos of the Martin House, please join us on one of our Photography Tours.
You are welcome to take as many exterior photos as you like!
How much walking is involved in the tour? Is there a chance to sit down?
There is a considerable amount of walking, standing, and stair-climbing involved in most of our tours. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
There are very few places to sit down on the tour.
Do tours go outside?
Come prepared for the weather. Tours do go outside, and it can sometimes be cool and/or rainy.
Is the estate wheelchair accessible?
There are certain areas on the Martin House estate which are not wheelchair accessible, including the 2nd floor of the Martin House and the pergola. In addition, we do not allow walkers on the second floor of the Martin House.
Our Greatbatch Pavilion Visitor Center is accessible, as are many of the outdoor areas, which can be accessed without reservations. We also have one handicapped parking spot in our small lot behind the visitor center, which can be accessed by using the driveway to the left of our administration building.
More details about accessibility >
- If you are planning a tour, refer to the individual tour descriptions to see areas explored.
- If you are attending a special event in one of the historic locations on the estate and need more information, please contact info@martinhouse.org.
Can I get a refund on my tickets?
The Martin House does not refund tour or event tickets. If you cannot visit the Martin House on the designated day of your tour, we will be happy to reschedule your tour or issue a patron credit for a future tour or event ticket. We do not issue patron credit for event or fundraiser tickets.
In the event of a cancellation for which there is no rescheduled date, a refund will be issued.
Do you offer tour information in languages other than English?
The Martin House is honored to welcome guests from all over the world, as well as members of our community, for whom English is a second language. Our public tours are delivered in English, so we offer foreign language paper handouts upon arrival to enhance the experience. These are available in the following languages:
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Italian
- Japanese
- Spanish
Do you offer ASL Interpretive Services?
ASL Interpreters are available. Please send your requests to info@martinhouse.org at least 3 weeks in advance. If you need hard of hearing support, Assisted Listening Devices (ALD) are available at no cost to help you hear and understand the docent.
Can I take a non-guided tour of the Martin House?
We offer self-guided tours at various times throughout the year, mostly in the early evenings. Note that this offering is NOT always available. Docents will be present throughout the journey to answer your questions. Find the self-guided tour information and tickets here.
You are welcome to explore the exterior of the Martin House, including the fully-restored historic landscape, any time. For a more robust experience, we offer an exterior self-guided tour using your personal mobile device. To access this tour, tickets can be purchased through a QR code found on one of the exterior signs on the site or prior to your visit from the link on our tour page.
The educational displays inside the Greatbatch Pavilion Visitor Center are accessible to the public during tour hours.
The public is also welcome to visit the Martin House Museum Store, located at the back of the property in the carriage house. The on-site store is open during tour hours.
Do you have a restaurant on site?
Yes! Located in a historic carriage house, the Statler Café is located on the north end of the estate, between the Barton House and the Conservatory.
The Statler Café offers a range of grab-and-go options including sandwiches, salads, snack packs, and baked goods by The Lunch Box, plus Perry’s Ice Cream and sweet treats by Parkside Candy. We are proud to serve Golden Cup Coffee and Cup of Communitea hot and iced teas.
Visit Buffalo Niagara is also a useful resource to discover great eateries when planning your visit to Buffalo.
Do you have to be on a tour to enter the Museum Store?
You are always welcome to visit the Martin House Museum Store! The store is located in the Carriage House and is open to visitors on our tours and for those who would like to walk-in and shop. Visit the store online for a list of our store hours and to browse our online selections.
Are backpacks allowed?
Large backpacks are not allowed in the Martin House due to safety concerns. If you have a backpack, please leave it in your car or at home.
Are strollers allowed on tour?
Due to space limitations and care for the collections, only front facing baby carriers are allowed on tours or inside the historic buildings. Not permitted: strollers, framed backpack carriers, and car seat carriers. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Is there a place to secure my bicycle?
Yes. There are two black bike racks in front of our administration building at 143 Jewett Parkway.
How can I find out border crossing times?
Travelers can obtain current border traffic conditions by calling the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission’s toll-free number at 1-800-715-6722.
