The estate of Edward L. and Mary Seaton Kleinhans had been designated for the construction and maintenance of an urgently needed concert hall in Western New York – in the Kleinhans’ words – “for the use, enjoyment, and benefit of the people of the City of Buffalo.” Conceived and designed in 1937-38 by Eliel Saarinen and his son, Eero Saarinen, Kleinhans’ graceful and sweeping curves remain unique among the great concert auditoriums of the world today.

However, before the music could begin, the hall had to be built. A true saga developed, with political intrigues that nearly scuttled the effort. The history of “behind-the-scenes” events was thoughtfully preserved in the Fall of 1939 by Edward H. Letchworth, President of the Buffalo Foundation, which directed the expenditures and construction of Kleinhans Music Hall.