AMHERST
Williamsville South listed as national historic place
Not just books and classes are full of history at Williamsville South High School. The school itself has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that increases potential grant money and heightens awareness of a building’s historical significance.
Williamsville Superintendent Howard Smith said the school was selected because it is a classic example of mid-20th century architecture.
“It’s somewhat of an architectural treasure,” Smith said. “We’re very fortunate to have it.”
The state had designated the school a historical site in April. That automatically brought it under consideration for the national registry, said Tom Maturski, assistant superintendent for finance and management services.
The potential state, federal and private grants will cut down on costs and allow the district to maintain and expand the 59-year-old school, Maturski said.
He said the status was awarded in part because of the prominence of the school’s architect, Duane S. Lyman, who helped design many other recognizable local buildings.
Originally known as Williamsville Junior-Senior High School, it became Williamsville Senior High School after Mill Middle School opened in 1958. Additions to the original complex were completed in 1961 and 1992 as the suburb continued to grow.
Timothy A. Tielman, executive director for the Campaign for Buffalo History, Architecture and Culture, said that title gives much deserved recognition to the suburbs.
He said many other area high schools lack the detail and character of Williamsville South, located on Main Street in Amherst, just east of the Village of Williamsville.
Postwar architecture often is underappreciated, Tielman said, and urban preservation frequently gets more attention.
“It is good to see some of our suburbs, towns and villages getting the recognition they deserve,” he said. “[The school] represents the mood and style of our country at that time.”
The National Register’s Web site lists 120 historic places in Erie County, including such landmarks as Buffalo City Hall, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and Forest Lawn.
