WOW, Buffalo! Thank you to everyone who came out to 72 Sycamore for Doors Open! Over 14 tours, more than 200 people walked through the doors of the Eliza Quirk House to see the building and learn about the remarkable woman who built it. The questions were great, the curiosity was contagious, and the love for this little building was everywhere!
Meet Eliza
Eliza Quirk’s life doesn’t fit neatly into any one box. She came to America from Ireland with very little, at a time when women had few paths to independence, and she built a real estate portfolio across Buffalo. Around 1846, she built 72 Sycamore, which operated as a brothel, part of how she became one of the wealthiest women in her neighborhood.
She also wasn’t afraid of the law. One of her fines in the 1850s was $1,000, which would be close to $40,000 today! Eliza paid it and moved on. In her later years, she turned to religion, yet her obituary still summed her up as having lived a “bold bad life.”
Her story is complicated, and that’s exactly why it matters. It reminds us that the people who shaped Buffalo weren’t always the ones in the history books, and their buildings still carry their stories.
What Visitor Saw:
What makes 72 Sycamore so special is how much of it survives. Original doors, trim, layout, and even wallpaper are still here, nearly 180 years later! Walking through it feels like stepping straight into Buffalo’s past.
What’s Next For Her:
The Eliza Quirk House is coming back to life! Water is back on, stabilization is done, permits are approved, $1.8 million in grants is secured, and work has begun. When she’s finished, she’ll be PBN’s first permanent home and the region’s first Preservation Resource Center: a place to learn, gather, and keep Buffalo’s buildings standing for generations.
Help us finish the job!
We have just $300,000 to go, and every gift keeps the crews working. If you came to a tour, or wish you had, please give today and help Eliza prove she’s still got it!
Donate to Save 72 Sycamore
A huge thank you to our volunteers, our tour guides, and every single person who showed up. See you at the grand opening!
With Love,
Bernice and the PBN team