advertisement

City of Elmhurst designates Oct. 24 as Frank Lloyd Wright Day

This fall, the city of Elmhurst will be host to two special exhibits honoring the legacy of internationally-famed architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.

Elmhurst is home to the Henderson House, one of Wright's classic Prairie-style residences built in 1901, and his architectural influence can also be seen in two residences designed by Wright's fellow Prairie School architect and former Elmhurst resident, Walter Burley Griffin.

Wright's work recently received international acclaim when eight of his buildings were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2019, being the first modern American architecture to be given this prestigious designation.

To celebrate Wright's importance and his architectural footprint in Elmhurst and throughout the Chicago area, the Elmhurst Art Museum and Elmhurst History Museum are collaborating to present two different exhibits, each focused on different aspects of Wright's life and work.

In recognition of this cultural partnership, the city will proclaim Saturday, Oct. 24, as Frank Lloyd Wright Day in Elmhurst to encourage residents and out-of-town visitors to visit both museums to learn more about the architect.

Elmhurst's Mayor Steve Morley stated in an official proclamation that "this special cultural collaboration underscores the value of our two award-winning museums working together to create meaningful experiences for residents and visitors." Morley added: "We value our diverse architectural landscape in Elmhurst and we are very excited to bring visitors here to learn more about architecture through the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibits."

The Elmhurst Art Museum's exhibit, "Wright Before the 'Lloyd'," (Sept. 10 to Feb. 14) is curated by Chicago's cultural historian Tim Samuelson. Exploring early work by the young architect Frank L. Wright, "Wright Before the 'Lloyd'" is a journey via images and artifacts that portray the myriad ways Wright flirted with styles including modernism, classicism, Tudor, Colonial and Japanese. What followed these eclectic, youthful explorations was the career of one of the world's greatest architects, which continued to evolve over 70 years until his death at the age of 92. In cases where fire and decay left only fragments and shards, cutting-edge technologies have been deployed to make Wright's home designs whole again. The art museum is at 150 Cottage Hill Ave.

This fall, the Elmhurst History Museum is presenting "Frank Lloyd Wright: Architecture of the Interior" (Oct. 23-Dec. 20), a national touring exhibit from International Arts and Artists that explores the interior design of Wright's houses, often considered his greatest architectural accomplishment. Through reproduction drawings, house plans, and photographs, visitors will explore the ingenious ways in which Wright maximized the feeling of open space while still accommodating the various functions of daily living. The history museum is at 120 E. Park Ave.

Celebrate the Midwest's architectural heritage on Frank Lloyd Wright Day by visiting Elmhurst Art Museum and Elmhurst History Museum on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Both museums are located in downtown Elmhurst within walking distance from each other and the Elmhurst Metra station.

To make a reservation or get details, visit www.elmhurstartmuseum.org and www.elmhursthistory.org.

Elmhurst Art Museum's Wright ExhibitCourtesy of Steven Koch
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.