Issue 510 April 1st 2026

The Headlines

Review: Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan by Trygve Thoreson

Trygve Thoreson’s book, Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan: Personal Histories of Two Icons of American Architecture, portrays Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan as parallel figures whose lives initially followed strikingly similar paths but ultimately diverged in profound ways.

Both men came from the eastern U.S. to Chicago, struggled early on, and rose to shape American architecture, sharing interests in spirituality, nature, and the relationship between material design and deeper meaning. The core of the book is not just these similarities but the contrast in their personalities and careers.

Burnham is depicted as pragmatic, collaborative, and politically skilled—a planner and organizer whose willingness to compromise helped him achieve sustained success and influence. Sullivan, by contrast, is portrayed as a fiercely independent and innovative artist whose refusal to compromise and difficulty working with others led to a decline from early brilliance into professional and financial hardship.

Ultimately, Thoreson uses these two intertwined lives to explore how temperament, values, and relationships can shape not only personal trajectories but also the development of a major American city and its architectural legacy.

Wright House In Oberlin To Open In April

One of Northeast Ohio’s architectural treasures is opening its doors for the season. The Weltzheimer/Johnson House, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home located just blocks from downtown Oberlin, will welcome visitors beginning in April.

Completed in 1949, the house is the first Usonian home built in Ohio and one of the few Frank Lloyd Wright residences in the region open to the public, according to a news release from the Allen Memorial Art Museum.

The house is located at 534 Morgan St., Oberlin. Open houses begin April 12 and continue on the first Sunday of each month through November. Visitors can explore the home’s distinctive design, from its low horizontal lines and natural materials to its seamless connection with the surrounding landscape.

Admission is $10 per adult. Oberlin College students (with ID) and children 18 and under are admitted free of charge.

Of Glass And Wood: A Dana-Thomas House Specialty Tour - April 4

Join in for this in-depth look at the incredible furniture and art glass of Frank Lloyd Wright's Dana-Thomas House.

Expert volunteer Frank Marchant will lead you on this in-depth tour of the Dana-Thomas House. The tour features an extremely extensive consideration of what is the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright furniture and art glass anywhere in the world. Architectural prospectives of the glass will be noted, and you'll hear some colorful stories about Frank Lloyd Wright.

The tour will last approximately 2 hours, depending on guest questions and discussion. There is no cost for the tour, but donations to support the site are suggested. Cash donations are accepted on-site, or you may donate electronically at https://historicspringfield.dnr.illinois.gov.

This tour is recommended for teens and adults with an interest in Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, and guests who have toured the house before, who would like a more in-depth experience. If you are interested in a more general/introductory tour of the home, you can make a reservation at https://danathomashousetours.eventbrite.com

Spend The Night At A Frank Lloyd Wright Masterpiece

There is a growing trend of historic homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright being restored and opened for overnight stays, giving visitors a rare chance to experience his architecture as it was meant to be lived in—not just toured.

A selection of Wright-designed properties across the Midwest have been carefully preserved or renovated and are now available as vacation rentals. These homes range from modest “Usonian” houses intended for middle-class families to more elaborate designs, all reflecting Wright’s philosophy of blending buildings with their natural surroundings and emphasizing craftsmanship, light, and spatial flow.

Staying overnight offers a deeper appreciation than a typical museum visit: guests can interact with original design elements, furniture, and layouts, gaining insight into Wright’s attention to detail and how his spaces shape daily life.

Many of the homes include modern updates for comfort, but aim to remain faithful to the original design. These rentals are immersive architectural experiences—part travel, part history—allowing people to connect more personally with Wright’s legacy while helping fund the preservation of his iconic work.

Cooper Hewitt Honors Impactful American Designers For 250th

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York has recognised 15 American architects, designers and companies that have "left a lasting mark on the field" to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The 15 Gala Honorees range from historic architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan to celebrity Martha Stewart and technology company Adobe.

"American design has been shaped by remarkable individuals and institutions whose ideas continue to influence the way we experience the world," said Cooper Hewitt director Maria Nicanor.

"In the year of the United States' 250th anniversary, we are proud to recognize both contemporary leaders and historic figures whose work has left a lasting mark on the field."

Cooper Hewitt selected a range of honorees that covers a panorama of media and time periods.

Among the historic figures are architects Wright and Sullivan; industrialist and Cooper Union founder Peter Cooper; designer Candace Wheeler; and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

Get Your Copy of Mid-Century Modern Midland

A newly released coffee table book chronicles the architectural transformation of Midland, Michigan, during the mid-20th century, documenting more than 400 structures built between 1930 and 1970.

The Alden B. Dow Home and Studio and Mid-Century Modern Midland announced the release of “Mid-Century Modern Midland,” a 244-page volume featuring interior and exterior photography of 403 structures built in the mid-century modern style. The buildings range from private homes to houses of worship, schools, and municipal buildings.

Craig McDonald, executive director of the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio, said the city’s architectural significance has drawn national attention for decades.

“Midland gained national recognition, beginning in the 1930s with Life Magazine and continuing in publications as varied as Architectural Forum, New York Times, and The Ohio Motorist, for its Mid-Century Modern style of architecture,” McDonald said. “Architects, designers, and building aficionados have long considered Midland a one-of-a-kind architectural destination and enjoy visiting because of the abundance of structures, the welcoming community, and the ease of viewing exceptional examples of Modernism.”

The book highlights the work of architect Alden B. Dow and more than 50 other architects, designers, and engineers who contributed to the modernism movement in Midland.

The book is available for $50 at the Alden B. Dow Home & Studio in person or online at https://www.abdow.org/shop/.

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