In honor of what would have been Frank Lloyd Wright's 150th birthday, it's time for a look at the many adornments he left on our beautiful state. Frank Lloyd Wright drew inspiration for his buildings from the natural elements around him, returning time and time again to his home state of Wisconsin to mimic its diverse landscapes in his creations. His Organic Architecture style represented harmony between humans and their environment, mirroring the property's natural elements to create architectural structures that seemed to have sprung up organically from the earth.
Of the more than 500 buildings constructed using Wright's designs, over a third of them are recognized as historical landmarks. Though the structures are sprinkled throughout the country, the "greatest American architect of all time" stayed loyal to his home state, leaving an abundant trail of stunning creations across Wisconsin.
A self-guided auto tour through southern Wisconsin takes you past eight incredible structures, including his personal estate in Spring Green. The tour begins in Kenosha County near the Illinois state line and curves through Madison to Richland Center, with posted signs guiding you to landmarks along the way.
Here's what you can look forward to on the tour:
1. SC Johnson Administration Building (Racine)
H.F. Johnson Jr., third generation leader of SC Johnson (you know, the family company) commissioned Wright to build their offices in 1936, despite having already begun construction on a different design. He explained the decision, saying, "Anybody can build a typical building. I wanted to build the best office building in the world, and the only way to do that was to get the greatest architect in the world." Wright designed every element from the building's 43 miles of windows to the tree-like pillars supporting it, and he even took over the interior design of many of the rooms. The massive structure is still considered one of the top 25 buildings of the 20th century.
2. Wingspread (Wind Point)
H.F. Johnson loved the new office so much that he commissioned Wright to design his personal estate immediately after it was finished. Staying true to his organic style, Wright constructed the home from natural materials like limestone, brick and unstained wood, which integrated the structure into its environment. He named the estate Wingspread for the wings that sprawl across the property in each of the four directions.
3. Burnham (Milwaukee)
While Wright took pride in the magnificent projects stacking up on his resume, he dreamt of a more practical approach to organic architecture that would be accessible to the average American. But he couldn't resist the splendor for long. The house on West Burnham Street in Milwaukee is one of only 16 American System-Built Homes standing in the entire Midwest.
4. Monona Terrace (Madison)
Wright designed the iconic Monona Terrace to be his "dream civic center," which he said would join the Wisconsin State Capitol with Lake Monona. With shining waves of glass flowing between crisp white pillars, he manifested his vision both in the location and physical design of the structure.
5. First Unitarian Society Meeting House (Madison)
Perhaps it was because he was a member of the congregation, or perhaps he wanted to make one final contribution to American architecture as he approached the end of his life. Whatever the case, this church is widely considered one of Wright's most notable creations. With its steep peak and waving windowpanes, the church blends seamlessly into the trees around it, offering a spiritual experience that its congregants say is unlike any other.
6. Taliesin and Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center (Spring Green)
At last we come to Taliesin, the home of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick, the place where she was later murdered (along with several others) by their family chef, and the house that stood strong through two separate fires. Is it haunted? Maybe. Is it worth it? Absolutely. The 800-acre property overlooking the Wisconsin River includes buildings from nearly every decade in Wright's career, with educational programs, farm dinners and biking tours throughout the year.
7. Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center (Spring Green)
If you're too spooked to go to Taliesin, the Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center is just 3 miles away. Wright donated the property and design to the Wyoming School District in honor of his mother, Anna Lloyd-Jones Wright, who had been a kindergarten teacher. Though the school itself later closed, the building continues to promote lifelong learning and local culture through performances, lectures, exhibits and other events.
8. AD German Warehouse (Richland Center)
The final destination looks remarkably different from the Frank Lloyd Wright style you've come to know by this point. While the first few stories are a nearly windowless slate of red brick, the ornate crown around the top of the building is the best remaining example of the sculptural ornamentation Wright put into many of his designs. It is also the only structure standing in the small town where he was born. The four-story building, which once housed commodities like sugar, flour, coffee and tobacco, is now a gift shop and small theater. A fourth-floor exhibit of large murals celebrating Wright's creations makes the perfect end to the tour.
Do you have a favorite Frank Lloyd Wright structure in Wisconsin? Comment on social media using #DiscoverWisconsin.
- Mara Benowitz is a crew member of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." The column is published Tuesday on the Life page in the Times.
Of the more than 500 buildings constructed using Wright's designs, over a third of them are recognized as historical landmarks. Though the structures are sprinkled throughout the country, the "greatest American architect of all time" stayed loyal to his home state, leaving an abundant trail of stunning creations across Wisconsin.
A self-guided auto tour through southern Wisconsin takes you past eight incredible structures, including his personal estate in Spring Green. The tour begins in Kenosha County near the Illinois state line and curves through Madison to Richland Center, with posted signs guiding you to landmarks along the way.
Here's what you can look forward to on the tour:
1. SC Johnson Administration Building (Racine)
H.F. Johnson Jr., third generation leader of SC Johnson (you know, the family company) commissioned Wright to build their offices in 1936, despite having already begun construction on a different design. He explained the decision, saying, "Anybody can build a typical building. I wanted to build the best office building in the world, and the only way to do that was to get the greatest architect in the world." Wright designed every element from the building's 43 miles of windows to the tree-like pillars supporting it, and he even took over the interior design of many of the rooms. The massive structure is still considered one of the top 25 buildings of the 20th century.
2. Wingspread (Wind Point)
H.F. Johnson loved the new office so much that he commissioned Wright to design his personal estate immediately after it was finished. Staying true to his organic style, Wright constructed the home from natural materials like limestone, brick and unstained wood, which integrated the structure into its environment. He named the estate Wingspread for the wings that sprawl across the property in each of the four directions.
3. Burnham (Milwaukee)
While Wright took pride in the magnificent projects stacking up on his resume, he dreamt of a more practical approach to organic architecture that would be accessible to the average American. But he couldn't resist the splendor for long. The house on West Burnham Street in Milwaukee is one of only 16 American System-Built Homes standing in the entire Midwest.
4. Monona Terrace (Madison)
Wright designed the iconic Monona Terrace to be his "dream civic center," which he said would join the Wisconsin State Capitol with Lake Monona. With shining waves of glass flowing between crisp white pillars, he manifested his vision both in the location and physical design of the structure.
5. First Unitarian Society Meeting House (Madison)
Perhaps it was because he was a member of the congregation, or perhaps he wanted to make one final contribution to American architecture as he approached the end of his life. Whatever the case, this church is widely considered one of Wright's most notable creations. With its steep peak and waving windowpanes, the church blends seamlessly into the trees around it, offering a spiritual experience that its congregants say is unlike any other.
6. Taliesin and Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center (Spring Green)
At last we come to Taliesin, the home of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick, the place where she was later murdered (along with several others) by their family chef, and the house that stood strong through two separate fires. Is it haunted? Maybe. Is it worth it? Absolutely. The 800-acre property overlooking the Wisconsin River includes buildings from nearly every decade in Wright's career, with educational programs, farm dinners and biking tours throughout the year.
7. Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center (Spring Green)
If you're too spooked to go to Taliesin, the Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center is just 3 miles away. Wright donated the property and design to the Wyoming School District in honor of his mother, Anna Lloyd-Jones Wright, who had been a kindergarten teacher. Though the school itself later closed, the building continues to promote lifelong learning and local culture through performances, lectures, exhibits and other events.
8. AD German Warehouse (Richland Center)
The final destination looks remarkably different from the Frank Lloyd Wright style you've come to know by this point. While the first few stories are a nearly windowless slate of red brick, the ornate crown around the top of the building is the best remaining example of the sculptural ornamentation Wright put into many of his designs. It is also the only structure standing in the small town where he was born. The four-story building, which once housed commodities like sugar, flour, coffee and tobacco, is now a gift shop and small theater. A fourth-floor exhibit of large murals celebrating Wright's creations makes the perfect end to the tour.
Do you have a favorite Frank Lloyd Wright structure in Wisconsin? Comment on social media using #DiscoverWisconsin.
- Mara Benowitz is a crew member of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." The column is published Tuesday on the Life page in the Times.