ECOMMERCE FOR GOOD - AMERICAN CHESTNUT TREE

1878 Gathering Chestnuts in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park

Part of the eCommerce for Good Collection

Honor the legacy of America's vanished forest giants through our eCommerce for Good collection. Each museum-quality Giclée captures the American Chestnut's golden age - from Winslow Homer's charming scenes of children gathering chestnuts to historic Fairmount Park chestnut gatherings. Your purchase preserves history while building its future, with 50% of the purchase price funding vital research to restore these magnificent trees.

A Storied Tradition.

Step back to 1878 Philadelphia, when artist J. W. Lauderbach captured a quintessential American scene in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. This historical engraving preserves a poignant moment in American history— a community gathering of chestnuts, a beloved tradition that vanished with the American Chestnut tree's tragic decline after 1900.

Before the devastating fungal blight that started in early 1900's, the American Chestnut defined our eastern forests. From Maine to Georgia, one in five trees were Chestnuts, providing sustenance for both wildlife and humans alike. As Thoreau noted in 1856, these nuts were cherished by all, from country boys to New York cabmen.

Hope for the Future

Today, faculty, scientists, students and citizen scientist volunteers at SUNY ESF's American Chestnut Research & Restoration Project, supported by the New York Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation, are developing blight-resistant trees. We may be at a turning point where American chestnuts could once again thrive in eastern Appalachian forests.

Essence of the 1896 Original – Created Just for You

This museum-quality reproduction preserves Lauderbach's original 1878 wood engraving from The Art Journal. Starting with the original engraved print that is found in the Buffalo River library, Our digital archivists have carefully scanned and restored the image while maintaining its historical patina, creating a print that evokes the timeless essence of America during the time of the American Chestnut.

Each fine art print is made to order, ensuring exceptional detail and lasting beauty. Your museum-quality Giclée print arrives with a certificate of authenticity and history, connecting you to its unique story and the American Chestnut Heritage.

  • Museum-quality Giclée Print
  • Hahnemühle 310gsm German Etching paper
  • Archival-grade pigment inks rated for 100+ years
  • Certificate of authenticity included
  • Fully insured shipping with real-time tracking

 For Walls that Whisper History

  • Fine Art Print (11" x 14") Museum-quality Giclée print, delivered unframed ·
  • Heritage Framed Edition (14x18") Our signature presentation, featuring your print in a Vermont-crafted solid ash frame with conservation-grade glazing. Select from timeless Black, crisp White, or warm Natural wood finish.

Your Purchase, Their Future, Our Legacy

When you purchase an American Chestnut Collection print, 50% of your purchase price becomes a donation: 

  • Unframed Print: $30 donated
  • Framed Print: $50 donated

Your donation supports American Chestnut tree restoration through a verified, transparent process:

  • Upon Purchase, a donation is made in your name to the New York Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation earmarked for the ongoing grant support of the American Chestnut Research & Restoration Project at SUNY ESF (State University of New York, College of Science & Forestry) 
  • Receive official acknowledgment confirming your contribution 
  • 100% of customer donations fund critical research grants to SUNY ESF

Preserve the Heritage. Restore the Tree. One Print at a Time.

$50.00
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  • Orders $75.00 and over – FREE SHIPPING.
  • Orders $74.99 and under – $7.50 Shipping

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Heritage Prints FAQ

Heritage Prints preserves America's visual history through museum-quality reproductions of rare historical prints. We carefully restore and reproduce prints from the historic Buffalo River Library collection and other prestigious institutions, maintaining their authentic character while making them accessible to contemporary homes.

Each print carries forward its own journey - not a mass-produced replica but a faithful representation of American moments captured in time. From sporting life to rural traditions, these prints connect today's homes to authentic American experiences.

Our Heritage Prints honor the time-worn character that only decades can create. We preserve the yellowed paper patina, subtle corner creases, and marks and thumbtack holes where these pieces once hung - all elements that give historical prints their authentic voice.

Unlike typical reproductions that sanitize imperfections, we deliberately maintain these marks of time. The subtle aging, texture variations, and authentic patina make each Heritage Print a window to America's past rather than just a picture on your wall.

Each Heritage Print is made to order, ensuring exceptional detail and lasting beauty. Your museum-quality Giclée print arrives with a certificate of authenticity and origin story, connecting you to its unique heritage.

We use Hahnemühle fine art paper, an ultra premium 310gsm German Etching – 100% α-cellulose paper with a distinct textured surface. Its premium matt inkjet coating meets the highest industry standards for density, color gamut, and image sharpness while preserving the feel of genuine art paper.

Our premium water-based inks produce colors independently verified to last 100+ years when displayed properly.

Art that doesn't cost the earth. We believe heritage should be preserved in ways that
protect our future as well as our past. Our commitment includes:

  • Water-based inks with no harmful solvents
  • Premium papers from sustainable managed forests
  • Recycled packaging materials
  • Partnerships with local, family-owned businesses who share our values

We begin with authentic historical prints from our Buffalo River Library and collaborate with museums and prestigious institutions to obtain archival scans. Our careful restoration maintains each piece's essence - enhancing visibility while preserving the authentic aged character that makes these prints special.

Our Heritage Prints look and feel like discovering an original in a vintage store - with time-earned patina that can't be manufactured. We print the entire image as it was created many years ago, preserving the artwork's character, imperfections, and signs of its journey through time.

Our framed prints feature sustainably sourced frames made from 100% solid Ash wood by a family-owned Vermont business. They handle everything from local log sourcing to custom frame production.

Frame specifications:

  • 0.75-inch face
  • 1.5-inch depth
  • Acrylic conservation glazing
  • Acid-free backing paper
  • 100% archival matboard
  • Hanging wire installed

Our acrylic conservation glazing offers advantages over glass:

  • Optical clarity
  • Shatterproof protection
  • Lightweight design
  • Safe for all environments

Note: This information applies only to Framed Prints.

Our eCommerce for Good Heritage Print Collection turns stories into action with 50% of each print's purchase price going directly to worthy causes. When you bring one of these prints home, you're connecting to American heritage while supporting community causes that matter.

Domestic Shipping via UPS Ground or USPS

  • Free shipping on orders over $75.00
  • $7.50 shipping for orders under $75.00

Shipping Time

All Heritage Prints are made to order:

  • Unframed prints: Approximately 1-2 weeks
  • Framed prints: Approximately 2-3 weeks

Packaging

Depending on the print size, we ship in:

  • Rigid spiral-wound cardboard tubes
  • Postal envelopes
  • Corrugated cardboard boxes or envelopes made from recycled materials

International Shipping

Currently, we do not ship outside the U.S.

Return Policy

We accept returns of unframed prints within 30 days of purchase

Framed prints cannot be returned

Returned prints must be in new condition and in original packaging

Email info@buffaloriver.co with your order # for return authorization

Returns without authorization may not be accepted

If your order arrives damaged, email info@buffaloriver.co with photos for a
replacement.