Oak Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 4, 2021

1. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Marker

Inscription.
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
1889-1909
Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect

Frank Lloyd Wright's Oak Park Home and Studio was his residence, studio and architectural laboratory from 1889 to 1909. In this studio, the architect created a new, modern American architecture, the Prairie Style, and designed many of his most important buildings including Unity Temple, the Robie House and more than 30 residences in this community. One of the 20th century's greatest architects, Wright's story begins here.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio is a museum open to the public daily. Tour tickets are available at the Museum or at www.flwright.org.

Erected by Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, City of Oak Park.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 9, 1959.

Location. 41° 53.655′ N, 87° 47.964′ W. Marker is in Oak Park, Illinois, in Cook County. Marker is at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Forest Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Chicago Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 951 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park IL 60302, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. Grace W. Trout (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Moore-Dugal Residence (about 600 feet away); Ernest Hemingway Boyhood Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Birthplace of Ernest Hemingway (approx. ¼ mile away); Roberta "Bobbie" Raymond (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Nineteenth Century Club (approx. 0.3 miles away); The History of Austin Gardens (approx. 0.3 miles away); Continental Divide (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oak Park.

Also see . . .
1. Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio...951 Chicago Avenue (Historic American Building Survey). Library of Congress website entry:
HABS survey with a house history plus photos.

"Significance: This structure, consisting of a group of buildings, includes the first residence of Frank Lloyd Wright built for himself. His home, built in 1889, shows the assimilation of the Eastern "Shingle Style," though giving evidence of an already present tendency to simplify and unify. Similarly, the Studio wing, added in 1895, shows early experimentation with the open plan. Together, the House and Studio are a source and proving ground for ideas and forms which were put to dramatic use throughout Wright's career."

(Submitted on December 24, 2021.)

2. Oak Park Home and Studio

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 4, 2021

2. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

View of the home/studio, with the marker just out of the picture on the left.

. Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation website entry:

"The home was the first over which Wright had complete artistic control, and he would use it as an opportunity to experiment with design concepts that contained the seeds of his architectural philosophy. Wright revised the design of the building multiple times, continually refining ideas that would shape his work for decades to come. The exterior of the house, which he would later refer to as “Seaside Colonial,” reflects his early interest in the Shingle style, then popular on the East Coast and favored by his previous employer, Joseph Lyman Silsbee. Sullivan’s stylistic influence can also be seen in the simplification and abstraction of the building and its plan."

(Submitted on December 24, 2021.)

3. Frank Lloyd Wright. Wikipedia entry:

"Frank Lloyd Wright (June 8, 1867 – April 9, 1959) was an American architect, designer, writer, and educator. He designed more than 1,000 structures over a creative period of 70 years. Wright believed in designing in harmony with humanity and the environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture. This philosophy was exemplified in Fallingwater (1935), which has been called "the best all-time work of American architecture". Wright played a key role in the architectural movements
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 4, 2021

3. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio - detail
Mounted to exterior wall.
of the twentieth century, influencing architects worldwide through his works and hundreds of apprentices in his Taliesin Fellowship."

(Submitted on December 24, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.)

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio - detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 4, 2021

4. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio - detail

The sprite is found in the courtyard.

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Marker - detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 4, 2021

5. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Marker - detail

This and similar panels are found a bit to the west of the entrance on the building exterior.

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio - additional plaques image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 4, 2021

6. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio - additional plaques

In the courtyard, on the wall to the left of the building entrance are three plaques: an Oak Park landmark plaque, and AIA recognition plaque, and a National Historic Landmark plaque.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 378 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 24, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.