Wright Fans: How increased awareness of some FLW sites might save others!

As a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, you may have already heard that some of Wright’s sites were recently designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.  As a fellow Wright enthusiast, webmaster for www.FrankLloydWrightSites.com and a participant in the Coursera Northwestern University Social Marketing Program, I have found two articles that explain why Wright’s work is so important to our culture and how increased awareness may help save some Wright-designed structures.

In a Curbed article titled “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple, RobieHouse named UNESCO World Heritage Sites", author Jay Kozlarz discusses the eight buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright that were recently added to the World Heritage Site list.  This designation puts Wright’s designs among the world's greatest structures such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  While this article focuses on the two Chicago area sites, a complete list of the FLW Sites on the World Heritage List can be found at bit.ly/UNESCO8

The Frederick C. Robie House - Chicago, Illinois

While the UNESCO sites are receiving much fanfare, another article in The Architect’s Newspaper discusses what fate might await a lesser known Wright-designed site.  Jonathan Hilburg, author of “Frank Lloyd Wright cabin outside of Chicago faces demolition” explains that the new owners of the Booth Cottage in Glencoe, Illinois have recently filed for a demolition permit.

Even though many of Wright's sites are protected and safe from demolition, by increasing awareness of Wright's designs, we can help to prevent any additional structures from being destroyed.  Drawing on these two articles and my own experiences traveling to various Wright sites around the country, below are 3 actions you can take to help preserve Wright sites for future generations. 

1. Visit –By visiting and touring Wright sites, you help to contribute to the cost of maintaining Wright structures. View all Wright sites.
2. Contribute – Consider joining one of the many Wright non-profits to help support their financial goals.  The FLW Trust offers various membership options and comes with many reciprocal benefits at other sites. flwright.org/joingive
3. Share– Your knowledge, passion and experience are valuable!  Share it with others by posting reviews of FLW sites online, volunteering as a docent or in some other capacity that can help others appreciate these designs.

Your help is needed!  Consider supporting Wright structures for the future by actively participating in one of the ways mentioned above.  If you are considering helping in some way, please comment on this article and let us know.

My name is Yvonne Carpenter and I am currently a participant of the Social Marketing Specialization at Northwestern University offered through Coursera.  I am co-owner of Northern Sky Designs, LLC, a company (est. in 1998) that specializes in website design and social media management for small businesses.  FrankLloydWrightSites.com is a website that is owned and managed by Northern Sky Designs and provides information about Wright-designed sites around the country. Feel free to reach out or contact me on Twitter @FLWsites or on LinkedIn.

FLW Enthusiasts: 3 Tips for a Great Road Trip on the Wright Trails!

As a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, you know that many architecturally significant structures are lost each year due to new development plans, neglect and natural disasters like wildfires.  As a fellow Wright enthusiast, webmaster for www.FrankLloydWrightSites.com and a participant in the Coursera Northwestern University Social Marketing Program, I have found two articles discussing the effort that is now being made to promote some of Wright’s work and increase architectural tourism in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois.

In a Curbed article titled "Map: The New Frank Lloyd Wright Trail in Wisconsin", author Patrick Sisson discusses the new trail that was designed in 2016 in an effort to boost Wright tourism in Wisconsin.  The trail starts in Racine, Wisconsin at the SC Johnson Administration Building and highlights nine structures throughout the southern portion of the state.  The article includes links to Google maps for each stop along the way,

Unitarian Meeting House in Madison, WI
Photo courtesy of FrankLloydWrightSites.com 

In a Lonely Planet article, "Explore the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright through Illinois", Alex Butler discusses the Frank Lloyd Wright trail that was created in 2018. The article highlights some of the thirteen Wright-designed buildings that are open to the public around the state of Illinois.  The EnjoyIllinois.com website has additional information about the “self-guided architectural adventure” and free downloadable maps and travel guides.  The guides go a step further in highlighting other interesting sites, local finds and restaurants along the way.

Drawing on these two articles and my own experiences traveling to various Wright sites around the country, I have listed 3 actions you should take before heading out on the road to explore the Wright trails.

• Download the Maps –There are links to downloadable and printable maps, as well as suggested itineraries.  This information may be helpful when planning your trip.
• Plan your Route – Since there are many sites to see along the trails, you’ll need to choose which places you would like to tour and which you might just make a quick stop at or skip for a later date.
  
• Make Reservations - Many tours and hotels are booked months in advance so it’s best to make reservations and have your itinerary in place ahead of time to avoid unnecessary disappointments. 

Take advantage of the season and start today to plan your summer architectural road trip!

My name is Yvonne Carpenter and I am currently a participant of the Social Marketing Specialization at Northwestern University offered through Coursera.  I am co-owner of Northern Sky Designs, LLC, a company (est. in 1998) that specializes in website design and social media management for small businesses.  FrankLloydWrightSites.com is a website that is owned and managed by Northern Sky Designs and provides information about Wright-designed sites around the country. Feel free to reach out or contact me on Twitter @FLWsites or on LinkedIn