Issue 239 February 3rd 2021

The Headlines

New D. D. Martin House Virtual Tours

The Darwin D. Martin House sends word about the new virtual tours now available of this iconic Wright design. A knowledgeable docent will lead virtual groups through Zoom on a live, 45-minute virtual exploration of the main house, pergola and conservatory. Participants can pose questions through the chat function of Zoom, and the docent will answer in real time. We limit the number of participants so questions can be answered from all. The cost is $12 for non-members for a connection — not per person — making this an affordable, engaging virtual experience.

The Martin House launched two weeks ago and have had participants from across the country, removing barriers to visitation during this time of restricted travel, but they also see a place for this type of tour offering in the future. The quality of the tour has been excellent after weeks of improving wifi strength throughout the different areas of the estate. Find out more info and schedule a tour here.

Wright's Emil Bach House Reopens for Guided Interior Tours

TAWANI Hospitality is excited to announce that the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Emil Bach House resumed guided interior tours on Tuesday, February 9. New procedures have been established to provide a safe tour experience for visitors and tour guides.

Policies and procedures for scheduling and for guided tours at Emil Bach House have been updated per current city and state recommendations. Additionally, TAWANI Hospitality has imposed its own safety restrictions to ensure staff and visitors' health and safety.

• Guided tours will be offered Tuesday and Wednesday and last 45 minutes. • Tours will be held for a minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 6 guests. • Admission is $15 per person. • Entry to the Emil Bach House is by private, guided tour only, and advance reservations are recommended. • Children under the age of 8 are not permitted.

Purchase tour tickets online here or by calling the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust at (312) 994-4000. FLWT members can also enjoy a discount on Emil Bach House rentals and events. For more information about staying at the Emil Bach House, visit here.

New Podcast: "2021: 10 Successful Years Of The Historic Park Inn"

The curtain is rising on a brand new podcast from the Globe Gazette and Mason City's Wright on the Park. 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the restoration of Mason City's Historic Park Inn Hotel. Once a month, They'll be looking back on the building's history, as well as the stories of the people who have been involved along the way. In the first episode, they go back to the beginning. How did Frank Lloyd Wright come to leave not just a piece, but pieces, of his architectural legacy in Mason City? Listen in and find out here.

A Look At Wright's Thaxton House

Briana Zamora-Nipper of click2houston.com has a feature on the only Frank Lloyd Wright home in Houston, Texas.

"Nestled on a wooded lot in the scenic community of Bunker Hill Village, where homes routinely sell for seven figures, the structure at 12020 Tall Oaks Street, best described as a severe, concrete-block of horizontal lines, has long attracted special attention among contemporary architecture enthusiasts -- That’s because it’s the only building in Houston designed by America’s most influential architect, Frank Lloyd Wright."

"The Thaxton House, named for William Thaxton, the insurance executive who commissioned it in 1954, is one of just three Texas homes with such a pedigree. The others are in Dallas and Amarillo."

"A structure that is as much a work of art as it is a home, the original, 1,800-square-foot Thaxton House sought to strike a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. The modest domicile is often considered an example of what Wright termed a “Usonian” house — economical abodes designed using principles of organic architecture."

"Over the years, various owners altered the Thaxton House’s original design and by the 1990s, it faced the possibility of demolition. A pediatric dentist, and his wife, an architect-turned-dentist, ultimately bought the home in a bid to preserve it, The Houston Business Journal reported. The pair spent millions restoring the original house and constructing a 6,300-square-foot addition to compliment Wright’s original creation." See the slide show here.

Winnetka Could Lose A "Solid Rock"

We heard word recently that Winnetka, IL is seeing many demolitions of significant properties, especially in recent months. At the most recent Monday night meeting of the Winnetka Landmark Preservation Committee, they reviewed a continued demolition application for the John Van Bergen designed Rummler House at 1015 Starr and a new demolition application for the very important Walter Burley Griffin "Solid Rock" house at 82 Essex. The "Solid Rock" house was also expanded by Barry Byrne and Alfonso Iannelli in 1917, making it even more historically significant.

Winnetka does not have very many Prairie School designs in the village and if these two are demolished, it will be a big loss to the character and history of the community. We'll keep readers apprised of the situation. In the meantime, Contact the Walter Burley Griffin Society of America here to lend your voice to the effort or follow the link to find contact info for Winneka Preservation Commission members to lodge your concern here.

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