Issue 205 June 10th 2020

The Headlines

Inside Frank Lloyd Wright’s Astounding Legacy

The beginning of this week marked the 153rd birthday of Frank Lloyd Wright. Even though the current pandemic keeps the public from touring his works in person, Wright’s architecture was still drawing visitors (albeit via Instagram). It's proof that 61 years after the architect’s death, Wright’s work continues to fascinate and inspire. In a recent article, Architectural Digest shed light on all the work that sustains Wright's remarkable influence. Read it here.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy 2020 Conference Goes Virtual

The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy recently announced that their 2020 Annual Conference in Buffalo has been postponed to fall 2021 due to the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was scheduled to take place from September 23-27.

However, Conservancy members and supporters will be invited to join the FLWBC for a virtual conference this fall. Planning is underway and information will be shared as soon as it is available at the FLWBC's website.

Wright Around Town In Mason City

You may be seeing him around Mason City, Iowa starting Monday the 15th. He is about 5-feet 5-inches tall and is wearing a suit with a red tie, a peculiar hat, and is carrying architectural plans! His name is Frank Lloyd Wright.

Normally around this time of year, according to the River City Society for Historic Preservation, he enjoys a birthday celebration and delicious cake at the McCoy Architectural Interpretive Center, but it is closed for the time being. He's also looking for his Stockman House, which moved in 1989.

Word on the street is he’s popping into businesses looking for answers. The Frank Lloyd Wright Stockman House Museum Facebook page will post his whereabouts. If you see Mr. Wright, they want you to let them know by posting, maybe even with a photo of the man himself. Keep your eyes peeled for the plans and the funny hat. See the photo here.

Frank Lloyd Wright Virtual Classroom: Designing For Extreme Environments

Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings for a variety of harsh environments (like his 1939 house for Edith Carlson, dubbed "Below Zero"). One of his top priorities for his buildings was to keep people safe. In this activity provided by The Whirling Arrow, your family will take part in an extreme design challenge. Like Wright, you’ll be tasked to design a home within a harsh environment while finding ways to keep your family safe in such an extreme place. Click here for more.

Wright's Glore House For Sale

Word reaches us that the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Charles F. Glore Residence (1951) in Lake Forest, IL is on the market for $2,275,000.

The house has been cared for by the Beidler family featured in this Curbed Chicago article from 2017. The article describes the trials and tribulations of living in this unique "work of art." But for them, it was a small price to pay. “When you are in the house, and you look in any direction, you see a beautiful view—either nature or an architectural feature,” says Megan Beidler. “It’s a treat to live here.”

Hopefully the next owners will take good care of it as well. To see the listing and more photos of the house, follow the link.

Wright's Home & Studio and Robie House Set To Reopen

In accordance with Phase 3 of Governor J.B. Pritzker's "Restore Illinois" plan, The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust is pleased to announce the public reopening of Wright's Home and Studio and Robie House on Thursday, June 11.

Tickets for outdoor and interior tours may be purchased in advance online or on site in Oak Park and Hyde Park. Outdoor neighborhood audio walking tours will be available for purchase on site only. Additionally, Pedal Oak Park biking tours through Oak Park's historic neighborhoods have resumed.

As always, the health and safety of staff, volunteers, and guests is paramount. With this in mind, Cleaning has been increased and tour capacity is limited to eight persons, in alignment with State of Illinois guidelines. For more information on site reopening protocols, visit here.

About

This weekly Wright Society update is brought to you by Eric O'Malley with Bryan and Lisa Kelly from PrairieMod. If you enjoy these free, curated updates—please forward our sign-up page and/or share on Social Media.

If you’d like to submit content to be featured here, please reach out by emailing us at mail[at]wrightsociety.com.