Issue 313 July 6th 2022

Announcements

OA+D Summer Fundraising Challenge

Although summer's long, hot days often herald a slow down of activity and leisure time spent lounging at the pool, away on family vacations, or enjoying backyard cookouts — that's not the case for the OA+D Archives. The non-profit organization has been hard at work saving collections, scanning materials, and preparing for a slate of important special publications to be released later in the year.

One of the most exciting publications they are set to release later in the year will be a landmark event. Frank Lloyd Wright's Two Jacobs Houses: Experiments in Modern Living is edited by Wright scholar and noted author, Neil Levine, and features essay contributions by all three Jacobs children (Susan, Elizabeth, and William) as well as new essays by Levine and Michael Desmond. Additionally there will be new biographies of Katherine and Herb Jacobs, as well as scores of never-before-published photographs and drawings of both Jacobs Houses. It's set to be the definitive publication on the history and experience of living in these icons of American architecture.

But all of this exciting work requires significant support. OA+D is an all-volunteer organization and the efforts they undertake to preserve and publish on the materials in the Archives takes financial help from you!

With that said OA+D is launching a summer campaign to raise $10,000 that will go towards ongoing organizational needs, such as archival supplies, cataloging efforts, publishing costs, and more.

Make a tax-deductible donation of $100, $250, $500, $1000 or more at the OA+D website during their summer campaign and if they are successful in making the $10,000 goal (or more) you'll be on the list to receive one of the first copies of the new Jacobs Houses books when they're published before anyone else as a special thank you!

So follow the link here to make that generous donation and help us make this summer a successful one!

The Headlines

FLW Foundation Member Event: Better Together – Design and Architecture

If you're a member of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and will be in the Phoenix area at the end of the month, then you're not going to want to miss the upcoming special member event July 27, 2022 at 8:30 – 10:30am.

Join Pat Evans, our Collections Registrar, and Brie Flewelling, FLWF Graphic Design Fellow, as they discuss the work of one of Wright’s early apprentices, artist and designer Eugene Masselink. You will see how his art ran parallel to Wright’s organic architecture by viewing Masselink works across the Talieisn West campus (beyond the public eye!), as well as original pieces from the FLWF collection. You will gain insight into Masselink’s design aesthetic and philosophy of abstraction, and how his work has influenced designers – including the FLWF's most recent Design Fellow, Brie. Space is limited to 20 guests and tickets are $10. More info here.

Not yet a member of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation? Then don't miss out on exciting member only events like this by becoming one today! Follow the link for more info.

A Rare Chance To Tour Wright’s Boynton House

The Landmark Society of Western New York announced it will be having a lottery for tickets to a public tour of Rochester’s Boynton House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Participants will get an hour-long tour of the privately-owned property in late July. Tickets will be handed out to winners of a lottery that opens on July 13 and closes on July 20 at landmarksociety.org. Winners will be notified and they will be able to purchase up to two $50 tickets.

The Boynton House is the only home in Rochester, N.Y. to be designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It was built in 1908 and commissioned by Rochester businessman Edward Boynton. Inside are more than ten rooms influenced by twentieth century architecture. More here.

Milwaukee’s Postwar Architecture Remains Timeless

"Mid-Century Modern" is a term originated by Cara Greenberg to describe a particular style of architecture and furniture design that was prominent in the U.S. during the post-World War II years. The origins of this particular style, along with the accessories that accompany it, were created from the lavish period when American soldiers came home, the economy boomed, and new homes were built across the country.

From this period came a wealth of new design ideas that shaped architecture and furniture based on technology of the day. As technology changed and a new generation of children was being born into the post-nuclear era, the mid-century modern style began to fade rapidly. By the 1980s, the mid-century modern style was no longer popular, although many people to this day grew up in homes and furnishings that were of that time period.

Mid-century modern style has re-occurred as retro-trends often do. One of the biggest changes to the modern home was the addition of the garage which began in the 1920s when vehicles were becoming popular. It really took off with tract housing after World War II. Car ports were another feature that was in place of garages depending on the overall design. While Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the most notable figures of American mid-century modern architecture, one cannot overlook the work and impact of others like Mies van der Rohe, Eero Saarinen, and others.

Milwaukee has its share of Mid-Century architecture which can be found all over the city. Some examples are Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1956 and built between 1959-1961. Read more about the MCM architecture that enhances Milwaukee here.

Get To Know Another Iconic Oak Park Architect

The Pleasant Home in Oak Park is perhaps the most notable of a handful of homes in the village designed by architect George W. Maher. The architect, who was a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright, is finally getting some recognition of his own with the launching of the George Maher Society by Pleasant Home Foundation according to Lacey Sikora of the Wednesday Journal.

"Pleasant Home," also known as the John Farson House, sits at the corner of Pleasant and Home avenues in Oak Park. Long-owned by the Park District of Oak Park, the house is one of the earliest examples of Maher’s interpretation of the Prairie Style. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark.

Maher was born in West Virginia in 1864, and his family moved to Chicago in the late 1870s. Shortly after that move, as a teenager, Maher began to work as an architectural apprentice. In the late 1880s, he joined the firm of Joseph Silsbee and worked there as a draftsman. For three years, he worked with another young draftsman, Frank Lloyd Wright.

In the 1890s Maher built his own home in north suburban Kenilworth, where many of his home designs still stand. In 1897, Maher was commissioned to design "Pleasant Home." At least four Maher houses are still standing in Oak Park.

The website, GeorgeMaher.org serves as a digital hub for the new society and will continue to be filled with information on Maher and his career, as well as photographs and stories of his work around the country. More here.

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