Issue 231 December 9th 2020

Announcements

Correction: Wright's Richardson House Is Not For Sale

In case you missed this last week, information we shared as originally reported on NJ1015.com is not accurate. The homeowner of Wright's Richardson House has stated this is incorrect and the home is NOT for sale. Apologies for any inconvenience.

The Headlines

$1 Million Woodbury County Courthouse Project Set To Begin

On Nov. 17, Woodbury County Courthouse Supervisors approved a contract of $1,029,645 with C.W. Suter in Sioux City, Iowa, to undertake the work in the heating and cooling system in the century-old building beginning in December. The work should be completed by spring, county Building Services Department Director Kenny Schmitz said.

Woodbury County Courthouse opened in 1918 after being designed by famed architect William Steele (with help from Purcell and Elmslie) and built for $850,000. The courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1996. The building also features sculptural work by Alfonso Iannelli, an influential Italian-American modernist artist who briefly worked with Frank Lloyd Wright. See the images here.

Sourcing Wild Christmas Trees For Taliesin West

Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation's The Whirling Arrow recounts a journey to Arizona’s Grand Canyon as the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s Retail Manager selects Christmas trees from the wild to decorate Taliesin West in a way that seems fitting for Wright’s winter home.

"This is the time when Kaibab National Forest Christmas Tree Permits become available. This program not only continues the tradition of harvesting a Christmas tree in the wild, it assists in a small way with forest management by clearing undergrowth and giving other trees more room to grow. The need for this is apparent as you drive south on the Grand Canyon Highway, through forest recently ravaged by this summer’s Magnum Fire."

Read the entire article and see the chosen tree here.

Rest In Peace, Maggie Of The Hardy House

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hardy House in Racine lost another of its stewards, when Margaret Yoghourtjian – Maggie to her family – died Monday November 30. Margaret, 98, and her late husband Jim, were stewards of the house from 1968 – 2012. Jim, a renowned classical guitarist, was 91 when he died in May 2015. Read Mark Hertzberg's loving tribute to his friends [here.](https://wrightinracine.wordpress.com/2020/12/01/rest-in-peace-maggie-of-the-hardy-house/

Groundbreaking Set For Principal Pavilion In Downtown Mason City

According to a press release from the Mason City, Iowa Chamber of Commerce, a groundbreaking ceremony ceremony for the Principal Pavilion, another component of the long-running River City Renaissance project in downtown Mason City is scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m.

The press release from the Chamber of Commerce noted that the design, which will feature back-to-back performance stages, will be done in the Prairie School style to mesh better with surrounding buildings, including the Historic Park Inn Hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

"The members of the Mason City Municipal Band are looking forward to performing here," band director Russ Kramer said in the release. "The architects have involved musicians in all aspects of the design, and used the services of an acoustical engineer to ensure the sound quality will be the best possible. We've been waiting a long time for a new home; this pavilion promises to be a wonderful tribute to Mason City's musical heritage." See the design here.

Plan A Future Stay At The Penfield House

Intimate, spiritual, elegant. These are some of the words that come to mind when describing the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. Now you can experience his genius for yourself in the way he intended...by living inside his vision. In the solitude of this space there will be no velvet ropes or crowds, only an unfolding sense of tranquility.

When you reserve the house, you are reserving the entire house, not just a room. This fully equipped three bedroom; one and one-half bath house accommodates up to five people comfortably. It is yours alone to enjoy. All the comforts of home are here, but it is not a bed and breakfast. You need only bring your personal belongings. Supermarkets and restaurants are nearby. We provide coffee and tea for your use.

The house is surrounded by 30 wooded acres in Lake County, Ohio. The Chagrin River runs through the property and is a favorite place for fishing. The Metropark system is less than 2 miles away and offers a variety of outdoor activities. We are located 20 minutes east of downtown Cleveland and 15 minutes from University Circle, home of the Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Museum of Art, Western Reserve Historical Society and Natural History Museum among others. More info here.

Price Tower Offers Safe New Year's Eve Alternative

As the end of 2020 approaches, it seems the whole world is looking forward to saying “goodbye” to a year that will certainly go down in history. Bartlesville's Price Tower has created a festive way for the community and visitors alike to ring in 2021 in safety and style.

Price Tower Executive Director Rick Loyd says the team at the Tower wanted to provide a fun way to mark the arrival of this long-awaited New Year.

“With all everyone has been through this year, Price Tower is sadly unable to do the Olive Drop, but we want to encourage guests to still come enjoy the Tower as we celebrate a New Year,” Loyd said. “So, for New Year’s Eve this year we’re offering 20.21% off of our hotel rooms and suites. Also, up on the 15th floor in Copper, Chef Jordan has designed an exclusive New Years Eve menu for visitors to enjoy.”

Loyd says the safety of visitors continues to be a high priority inside Price Tower, as staff cleans and disinfects with new protocols to ensure guest safety and comfort. In order for celebrants to enjoy Chef Jordan’s culinary creations, dining room capacity in Copper will be limited and tables spaced properly, so reservations will be required.

“New Year's Eve is the perfect opportunity for friends to stay and eat at Price Tower, and our two-story suites make for the perfect place to gather with your special group or friends,” Loyd said. “Everyone can get a hotel room that overlooks the beautiful holiday lights on Unity Square and then celebrate before and after dinner in your own private get-together … safely and in comfort. No cooking, cleaning, or driving home. Let us do all the work.” More here.

Museum Confidential Podcast Explores The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s Impact

The Whirling Arrow highlights Jeff Martin, host of the Museum Confidential podcast, as he visits Taliesin West during the pandemic and shares his experiences.

"For the past few years, as part of my duties in the Communications Department at Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, I’ve had the great privilege to host the podcast, Museum Confidential. What began as a small project connected to an exhibition of the same name, quickly morphed into a show with a much broader scope and a following extending far beyond what we ever expected."

The Museum Confidential Podcast explores the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s impact, and will feature interviews with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation on its two upcoming episodes, debuting on Friday, December 11, and Friday, December 18. More here.

Support A Good Cause :: Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy

In last few issues of the Wright Society Newsletter for 2020 we're going to highlight some of the Wright-related organizations that you might want to consider donating to with your end-of-year gift giving. Last issue we highlighted the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. This issue we shine the light on another extremely important non-profit in the Wright world: The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy.

Thirty years ago, the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy was formed to facilitate the preservation of Wright’s nearly 400 remaining structures. Over the last three decades, hundreds of building owners and stewards have turned to us for help in protecting this important architectural legacy. This would not be possible without people's generous and steadfast support.

70% of Wright’s remaining works are in private hands. In order to ensure their preservation, the FLWBC must equip those who care for them with the best information and the most up-to-date resources. This is the work that their staff and dedicated volunteers do, day in and day out: educational programs, in-depth research, and individualized conversations. They could not provide this crucial service to building owners and stewards without the financial support of generous people like you. Read more about the FLWBC's wonderful work here and consider becoming a member to help them continue to preserve Wright's work.

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