File:Philip J. Wickser House, Buffalo, New York - 20220914.jpg

English: The Philip J. Wickser House, 245 Nottingham Terrace, Buffalo, New York, September 2022. A relatively rare residential design by the local firm of North & Shelgren, who are best known locally for church architecture, the Wickser House is a fine example of the Colonial Revival style which at the time of its construction (1934) was nearing the end of its era of popularity. The main façade that's visible from the street takes the form of a scrupulously symmetrical mock temple front, with a quartet of Ionic pilaster strips effected in smooth-textured limestone contrasting with a handsome red brick exterior otherwise punctuated by flat-headed, lintel topped windows, a plane stone frieze, and a Classical pediment whose round central window sports a spiderweb muntin. The main entrance is tucked inconspicuously on the left side of the L-shaped building, framed by a simple yet handsome Doric portico. Original owner Philip J. Wickser (1887-1949) was one of the leading figures in Buffalo's legal community of the day: he followed up his education at Cornell and Harvard Law Schools with a career as junior partner in the firm of Palmer, Houck & Wickser while also racking up a scorecard of prominent leadership posts as president of the New York State Board of Law Examiners, a member of the Federal Board of Law Examiners, founding president of the Bar Association of Erie County, and board member of a plethora of local nonprofits and cultural institutions. Wickser owned he house until his death in 1949, which took place at his summer home in Nantucket on the eve of what was to have been a term as president of the American Bar Association. Wickser's widow Margaretta then inherited the house, and continued living there until it was sold out of the family in 1966.