What is the best way to see inside a private owned FLW home?

hypnoraygun · Post by **hypnoraygun** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 2:27 pm

Hello, I am trying to find out the best way to see inside of some Frank Lloyd Wright houses that are privately owned. I am not a fan at all of just knocking on a door, I think that is rude. I have contacted a few owners and I hope to hear a response. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

I realize people live in the houses and they deserve the privacy, but I can also see that by owning a building, one that can

rgrant · Post by **rgrant** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 3:59 pm

Send a written request with a stamped return envelope. State as much information as possible so arrangements can be made to both parties' convenience. There are a lot of homeowners that will simply not respond, but probably more will. Even houses in remote rural areas receive many requests, so they are used to it. By no means show up unannounced. It is also polite to bring a small token of appreciation, maybe a bottle of wine, a book, a plant, etc. For the most part, it's just common sense.

I have met many homeowners over the years, all of whom were gracious and generous with their time. A former owner of the Gillen House let me and my brother wander around the house, unaccompanied, photographing at our leisure. We just assured him that the photos would not be published, nor that we would photograph anything personal, like art work.

hypnoraygun · Post by **hypnoraygun** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 4:07 pm

Thanks for the great information. I am going to attempt a few letters, wish me luck! The Gillen house looks amazing! Great story! Thanks again

Mobius · Post by **Mobius** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 4:26 pm

In the book "Building with Wright" Herbert Jacobs details the constant stream of visitors to Usonian #1 beginning almost immediately after construction was finished. Both husband and wife enjoyed the attention. At one stage however, Katherine put her foot down when the local bridge club started using her house as its meeting place!

Herbert introduced a 25 cent fee to tour the house, and this put many people off. (There is even a photo of the sign he put up outside the house.) There was an apocyrphal rumour that he had more than paid for the house by the time they sold it some 6(?) years later. This was untrue however, but he did admit to almost covering Wright's architect fee of $450 (reduced to $325 because of a failure to allow for window coverings).

If I were approaching FLW house owners, I would follow the previous advice, but also make some effort to explain what it is about the house you wish to see, and why you are so keen to see it/them. If you can show some history and some historical context, as well as a real passion for the home, **AND** make a small cash offering to offset their time, then I can't see why an owner would reject you.

It seems to me that FLW home buyers are an extremely small group, with many very similar attributes: love of architecture in general, but primarily a love of Frank's works. Given this fact, it should not be too tricky, with some time and effort, to form some sort of relationship with an owner, in order to facilitate a visit.

Good luck!

hypnoraygun · Post by **hypnoraygun** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 4:36 pm

I have actually read the book about the Jacob's homes. It is a Great book. Thanks for the tips, a little $ always talks..

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 8:35 pm

You can alway buy one!

av8r1 · Post by **av8r1** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 9:37 pm

rgrant,

A devoted FLLW fan living in Arlington would really get a kick out of seeing your pictures of Gillen. Would that be possible sir?

Regards,

Paul D.

rgrant · Post by **rgrant** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 8:15 am

I don't have a computer at home, and do not have the facilities to scan photos into the computer at work. I am so analog, I would probably not be able to figure it out anyway. I no longer feel confined by my original promise, since the house changed hands years ago, and the photos don't really show anything that one could not figure out from published work. I know someone much more savvy about this sort of thing who has copies of the photos and may be able to post them. I will try to get ahold of him and see what I can do. There are also some exteriors of a house done by a Dallas firm that is a blatant ripoff of Heath, but was so ineptly copied from Ausgehfurtebauten that the scale is grossly overblown. The walk to the front entrance is 16 feet wide! But it's interesting, nevertheless.

rgrant · Post by **rgrant** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 8:35 am

av8r1, I have looked through my "archives," which is to say, Fibber McGee's closet (there's a reference most of you won't get), and so far have not been able to find the photos; my brother cannot find his copies. They were taken about 20 years ago, so I don't have much hope, but if I do come across them, I will try to get copies posted.

SWSinDC · Post by **SWSinDC** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 10:54 am

Fibber McGee?! Are you looking for photographs or Daguerreotypes?

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 1:27 pm

Cave paintings would be more like it.

Mark Hertzberg · Post by **Mark Hertzberg** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 9:28 pm

I have had a chance to read all the letters written to the Hardy House since 1968. Many of the letters are requests to see the house. It is a fascinating collection of requests. The house used to be open for people to visit. The owners have now chosen to maintain the house as their home, rather than as a public site. While I very much appreciate those Wright homeowners who are willing to open their homes to strangers (Dr. Christian gave me a tour of Samara in West Lafayette, Indiana, on Monday), I completely understand the wishes of those homeowners who have chosen not to do so. The owners of the Hardy House are lovely people. I am privileged to have gotten to know them, and I understand their preference for privacy over public access. It does not hurt to ask homeowners, but be understanding if the answer is 'no.'

Mark Hertzberg

Michael Shuck · Post by **Michael Shuck** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:36 pm

I was wondering if anyone knows of any agency or group that offers tours of the Frank Lloyd Wright hourse in the Chicago/Oak Part areas? I'd like to take a few days off this Spring and see his work in that area. Mike

Mark Hertzberg · Post by **Mark Hertzberg** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:49 am

The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust (http://www.wrightplus.org/) has tours of the Robie House in Chicago, and guided and self-guided tours of his work in Oak Park and River Forest. The latter are run out of the Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park. You can see the inside of Robie and the Home and Studio. The other homes are privately-owned, and can only be seen from the outside. You can also buy an informative and well illustrated map of the Oak Park/River Forest homes for about $4.00 at the Home and Studio.

Mark Hertzberg

HillsideOK · Post by **HillsideOK** » Sun May 03, 2009 12:47 pm

Each homeowner has their own view on this subject. Our home is a family home that we occasionally make available for research and events. It is a great joy owning the home and we enjoy every moment. However, it is quite time consuming to honor all requests so please don't be offended if we are not able to accommodate every person that asks.

If you are able to view a home then by all means be gracious. We do enjoy visitors that share their experiences and love for FLW.

A sincere thank you note goes a long way. It also helps the next inquiry.

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