Wright Chat

This topic is just a bit of fluff to lighten things up. But seriously, there do seem to be many accounts of Wright clients living to unusually advanced old ages, sometimes even years after they moved out of his houses. For example, Ethel Marden, co-owner with husband Luis of the 1959 Marden House in McLean, VA, is still living at age 94, having only recently moved to a retirement center. Loren Pope, who commissioned what is now known as the Pope-Leighey house in 1940 and only lived in it for seven years, is also still living at age 95 in a nearby retirement center (with his third wife!). He recently came to the house museum and spoke to the docents for an hour and a half, standing up unassisted for the entire time. And of course, Mr. Wright himself lived to age 92 or so, active and lucid until nearly the end.



Is this just a coincidence, or could it be possible that some Wright homeowners become infused with a sense of beauty and connection with nature that guides their lifestyle choices for the rest of their lives?

Other Wright homeowners who lived into their 90s include Mrs. Bulbulian, Mrs. Mossberg, both Sam and Harriet Freeman, Mrs. Melvin M. Smith, William Palmer (Mary is still living in the house), Mr. Beuhler (his wife is still living in the house), David Wright passed 100, and his wife Mable as well, and even Luis Marden himself, who died just last year. I believe Mrs. Frank of the Bazett-Frank House is approaching 90. Must be something to it. One thing I have heard repeatedly from homeowners is that have met an endless stream of very interesting people visiting from all over the world. This social interaction helps to keep the mind sharp, which in turn lengthens life.

Another case in point is Mildred Rosenbaum at 88, though she hasn't lived in her house in a few years. The story is that a subsequent owner of Gilmore in Madison was there for 70 years. On the other hand, Mamah Cheney and Seth Peterson would bring the average down.



Anecdotal examples like these aren't enough to establish a trend. Even if you had data on all the owners (or just the original clients) and the numbers bore you out, you'd still have to control for other factors. These people were pretty much by definition all well-to-do, and most were of northern-European ancestry; both are longevity indicators that don't have do with Wright in particular.



Peter

You're correct that there are many other factors that could enter into the unusual longevity of several Wright homeowners. It would require a formal statistical analysis to establish any correlation (which would still not prove causation). Mamah Cheny is an exception, because she was murdered in Taliesin, along with her children as I recall. Another example on the negative side would be Neddie Pope, the 3-year-old son of Loren Pope, who wandered off from the new Wright house that the family had recently moved into and drowned in a neighbor's pond. The Popes did have two more children while they were living in the house, however, who like their father are still living today.



Anyway, as I said at the outset, it's just interesting but idle speculation.

Speaking of longevity, does anyone know if Iovanna, ( FLW's daughter by Olgivanna) is still with us?



PDean

Dallas TX.

"With us" may be pressing it. She is in an assisted living facility in Pasadena. She continues to receive over $100,00 from Taliesin per year. But apparently her new digs are more expensive, so she is seeking more.