In June 2004 a group of women proposed to Buffalo Seminary the possibility of using Larkin House as a center for adult learning.  The seed of this idea was planted and took root that fall to become Larkin Center Inc.  Thus the hopes of many people to continue the rich traditions of Trinity Center, founded over 35 years ago by Jean Bowen and Dottie Gurney, were realized.  Larkin Center was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit Corporation in October 2004 under the laws of the State of New York.  It is managed by a Board of Directors. 

In the first year, Larkin Center offered a wide variety of classes that were enjoyed by over 200 women and men.  Many classes have a history of their own, having been offered for many years at Trinity Center.  These include yoga, water color and pastel drawing, quilting, Seekers reading group, choral singing, current events/political discussion group, and bridge. 

Over its 3-year history Larkin Center has continued to broaden its offerings with new classes and by inviting speakers from the community.  Larkin Center has welcomed over 30 musicians from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, an equal number of representatives from the theater community, and speakers from the academic, scientific, business and medical communities.  All have been enthusiastically received by a diverse group of participants.  Each year a Safe Driving course is presented by AARP, allowing participants to receive a deduction on their auto insurance.  In addition, Larkin Center has conducted off site visits to such venues as Studio Arena Theater, Junior League Decorator’s Show House, Darwin Martin House, Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus, Hauptman-Woodward Research Institute, The CHURCH and Hallwalls, Buffalo and Erie Co. Historical Society, Central Library, Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site.

Now entering its fourth year, Larkin Center is grateful to Buffalo Seminary for enabling its successful beginning and looks forward to more exciting opportunities as it relocates to Lafayette Presbyterian Church, a move made necessary with the sale of Larkin House.  This location fulfills a desire to remain in the heart of the city and to expand programs that will interest even more members of the community.  Recapturing a tradition of the past, Larkin Center is conducting a visit to the Shaw Festival this fall.  With the increased capabilities afforded by the new spaces now available, Larkin Center looks forward to many more years of continuing its mission of “being a place for adults of diverse backgrounds to gather in an informal setting within a friendly, supportive environment … and offering programs to strengthen and develop mind, body and spirit through the sharing of skills, knowledge and life long experience.”