Mary Beth Scumaci, clinical assistant professor, Julianna Woite, adjunct instructor, and Peter Scumaci have written Western New York and the Gilded Age, a recently-released book from the History Press. Two book signings have been scheduled: the first on Tuesday, July 27 at the Savvy Gourmet at 4610 Main Street at 7 p.m. (registration required); the second on Friday, July 30 at Amherst High School at 4301 Main Street from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
From the amazon.com description:
“Born from the success of the Erie Canal, the communities of Western New York enjoyed a century of growth and prosperity during America’s Gilded Age. Buffalo was one of the richest cities in America and dominated industry and politics, producing two presidents. Wealth and architectural opportunity enticed figures like Frank Lloyd Wright, while the events of the Pan-American Exposition and a presidential assassination and inauguration attracted the world’s attention. Drawing on the natural resources of Niagara Falls and profiting from a friendly relationship with Canada, the people of Western New York enjoyed luxurious leisure time and documented their adventures in photo albums and postcards. It is these images and remembrances, beautifully reproduced in this book, that capture this charming time in Western New York’s history.”