Wright Chat

You may have seen a link on the home page to the Johnson Foundation's survey about possible guided architectural tours and overnight stays at Wingspread. I have linked to the survey, with a bit of history of the house and with many photos, at: www.wrightinracine.com Click on the link at the right of...

The November 6 presentation is for members of Preservation Racine Reservations will probably be required. I will give the same Hardy House slide show and sign books at the Racine Public Library Monday evening October 16, at 6:30 p.m.



Mark Hertzberg

Wright's Hardy House (1905) is well known because of iconographic drawings attributed to Wright and to Marion Mahony, but relatively little has been written about it. I have written and photographed "Frank Lloyd Wright's Hardy House" which is published by Pomegranate, for release this mont...

Some time ago there was a thread in this forum in which people were asked to name the 'Second best American architect.' There was a vote for Ken Dahlin, who practices in Racine. I have posted an interview with Ken, and photos of some of his work, at www.wrightinracine.com I look forward to having yo...

Racine, Wisconsin: SC Johnson Administration Building: Tours on Fridays, by reservation, 262.260.2154. You walk past the Research Tower, but it is not open. You can drive past the Hardy House, just a few blocks east on 14th Street until you hit Main Street, turn north or left, and it is right there....

Sullivan's landmark Carson, Pirie, Scott, & Co. store on State Street in Chicago, will close early next year. Apparently the space will be used for other retail and for office space. The store is losing too much money to continue operating. Chicago Tribune link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/bus...

This news, from the Arizona Republic, moved on the Wisconsin AP wire this afternoon. Mark Hertzberg Tumult continues at the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation in Scottsdale. Chief Executive Phil Allsopp laid off three top executives on Wednesday and Thursday and eliminated their positions, raising questi...

The owners, whom I know, want absolute privacy. The house cannot be seen from the street, so it would be trespassing to go up the drive to view it. I picked Edgar Tafel up at the airport in Milwaukee when he visited Racine several years ago, and took him to the house for lunch. He bowed at the door ...

Do not fret about the 'next to' the landmark Administration Building and the Research Tower. Keep two things in mind. One is that the family does not make aesthetic decisions lightly. Second, the Johnson campus is big. The spot that I understand has been selected for this building will not intrude o...

I'm glad the poster liked this year's tour, and is looking forward to next year's tour. Visit us at http://www.wrightinwisconsin.org/ to read more about the organization. You might be especially interested in our Burnham Street project, which you can read about on the web site and in the new issue o...

Have you tried the Praire Avenue Bookshop in Chicago? 800.474.2724

or www.pabook.com



Also try Shining Brow Booksellers: http://www.shiningbrow.com/Store/



Mark Hertzberg

Dr. John E. Christian talks about the trust he established to let as many people enjoy Samara as possible, in the new 'blog' at www.wrightinracine.com There are numerous photos of the house, of the library exhibit in West Lafayette, which runs into July, and information about anniversary events, inc...

Jonathan Lipman makes this analogy in my forthcoming book about Wright's Hardy House : the Hardy House was as out of place in the neighborhood south of downtown, Racine when it was completed in 1906, as a Frank Gehry-designed house would be in the same spot, today.



Mark Hertzberg

The second home that John Randal McDonald designed for himself in Racine has been vacant for a year, and is in poor condition. I had been e-mailed a question about the house from a reader of this forum, who knew the house was for sale. I had a chance to tour the house with its new owner today. Timot...

I agree with your assessment. See the "Wright? Wrong!" note a few items below.



Mark Hertzberg