I thought PrairieMod readers would enjoy seeing a book plate designed for the library of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Rayward-Shepherd House (aka "Tirranna") that was in a book I recently picked up. I believe it depicts the entry gate from the house in graphic style. Anyone else have a Wright-related book plate to share?

Image via PrairieMod

For those readers who could not make this year's Wright Plus Housewalk (which took place Saturday May 18, 2013) then you're in luck, the Forest Park Patch will be highlighting houses from the walk all this week. As a start, read about the Goodrich House (an early Wright design) here.

Image credit: Michael Sewall

To celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio and the 40th anniversary of the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, which owns and operates the Home and Studio, 2014 is designated as the Legacy Year.
 
To mark the Legacy Year, the Wright Plus Architectural Housewalk in Oak Park, Ill. on Saturday, May 17, 2014 will be an “All Wright” event featuring eight private homes and three public buildings all designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. More after the jump...

As more info comes out about this special event, you can be certain we'll keep readers in the know!

Image via GoWright.org

The Wall Street Journal reports that there are 20 Frank Lloyd Wright homes for sale across the country--with some are available at a markdown. However, owning an architectural work of art comes with some significant drawbacks if you're not ready for it. Read more here.

Image via WSJ

Emily Roth, Executive Director of the Unity Temple Restoration Foundation, sent word about a new $10 million preservation deal that would place the framework in place to fully restore Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple. More after the jump...

Alphawood Foundation Chicago and the Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation (the “Congregation”) announced today that they have entered into a preliminary agreement that provides a framework for the eventual complete restoration and preservation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois. This agreement contemplates a joint campaign by Alphawood, the Congregation, Unity Temple Restoration Foundation, and other interested preservationists to raise the funds necessary to complete a comprehensive restoration of Wright’s internationally-recognized masterpiece. As part of this agreement, Alphawood has pledged $10 million toward the cost of the effort, subject to successful efforts to raise the balance of the necessary funds.

Unity Temple, completed in 1908, is Frank Lloyd Wright’s first public building and the oldest still put to its original use by its owners. Unity Temple is generally recognized as one of Wright’s foremost works, and is internationally known as one of the early buildings of the Modern movement. Wright himself referred to the design of Unity Temple as “my contribution to modern architecture.” The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971 and is universally considered to be one of the most important buildings of the 20th Century.

In 2009, the National Trust for Historic Preservation placed Unity Temple on its list of 11 Most Endangered Historic Places noting that, while the building has generally been well maintained, water infiltration has caused extensive damage to the concrete structure and interior finishes over the years. The National Trust stated that “the building urgently requires a multi-million-dollar rescue effort.”

“The Alphawood Foundation is committed to supporting efforts that preserve and protect the Chicago area’s architectural legacy. We are delighted that our gift will be an important first step toward the restoration and preservation of this international landmark. We are especially pleased that this project will permit the Congregation to continue to use the building for its intended purpose while ensuring that visitors from around the world can experience Wright’s masterpiece” said Jim McDonough, Executive Director of the Alphawood Foundation.

Ian Morrison, President of the Congregation’s Board of Trustees, said “Our Congregation is immensely excited to move forward with the restoration of Unity Temple in collaboration with the Alphawood Foundation. For over 100 years we have made this wonderful building our spiritual home, gathering for worship, major life events, and community activities. Wright designed the building for us and it embodies many of our values. We are proud to continue using it for its intended purposes.”

Finally, Emily Roth, Executive Director of the Unity Temple Restoration Foundation, said “Alphawood’s gift will have an immensely important impact on the future of Unity Temple. The UTRF Board of Directors is grateful to Alphawood Foundation for magnifying its enthusiastic support and entering into this agreement.”

ABOUT ALPHAWOOD FOUNDATION

Alphawood Foundation is a Chicago-based grant making private foundation working for an equitable, just and humane society. It awards grants to more than 200 organizations annually, primarily in the areas of advocacy, architecture and preservation, arts, domestic violence prevention, the environment, promotion and protection of the rights of LGBT citizens and people living with HIV/AIDS, and other human and civil rights.

ABOUT UNITY TEMPLE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is a vibrant, progressive religious community, committed to transforming lives, deepening faith and understanding, and challenging one another to live out our shared values. Founded in 1871, UTUUC serves this region through outstanding worship and music, religious education for children and adults, a broad range of small groups, and opportunities for service.

ABOUT UNITY TEMPLE RESTORATION FOUUNDATION

Unity Temple Restoration Foundation (UTRF) restores and preserves Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1908 masterpiece of modern architecture, Unity Temple. UTRF also advances Unity Temple’s global and contemporary significance with programming that embodies Wright’s spirit of innovation and enriches the lives of those it serves.

Read more about it here, here, and here.

Image via wbez.org

News comes in on the first of two neighborhood meetings that occurred this week on development projects just east of Madison, Wisconsin's Capitol Square that could have a serious impact on the future of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Lamp House. More after the jump...

I've received word that The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy has contacted the City Preservation Planner, the Madison Landmarks Commission and the mayor to express its concern about proposed “development projects towering over and surrounding this single family house in the middle of the block,” with enormous negative effect on the special landscape and context that Wright created for the  Lamp House. These projects, if built, would  obstruct views to and from the house and destroy “the neighborhood feel, residential character and integrity of the northwest portion of the block which is so important to the Lamp setting.”

Read more about this troubling situation here and here. Hopefully something can be done to stop the destructive nature of these proposed developments so that the integrity of the historic neighborhood and the Lamp House can be maintained. If you want to help, become a member of the FLWBC here to support this and other preservation efforts.

Image credit: Kristian Knutsen

Heads-up architecture lovers in and around Bartlesville, OK: This Friday, the Price Tower Arts Center will be hosting the Opening Celebration to Frank Lloyd Wright's Samara: A Mid Century Dream Home. Members preview reception will be from 5 - 6pm with a gallery talk with  Samara staff and the free public opening reception will be from 6 - 7pm. More info here.

Image credit: Alexander Vertikoff

Barbara F. sends a link to the Milwaukee Art Museum's blog on the exhibition The Layton Art Collection: 1888-2013, which includes a humorous connection to Frank Lloyd Wright as part of its history. Read more about it here.

Image via steinerag.com

Some questions have been swirling around lot 47 (the Wright-related one comprised of Fawcett House plans, Pappas House drawings, hassocks, etc.) in Los Angeles Modern Auction's May 19, 2013 sale. More after the jump...

I contacted LAMA and asked for their input to this position from Mr. Pfeiffer. Peter Loughrey, LAMA's Director responded:

"...With regard to authenticity, we respect the opinion of Mr. Pfeiffer as a leading expert on Wright's work and will try to contact him today."

Since these conversations, LAMA has updated the lot information a bit with respect to provenance, but as of this writing, I await to hear what the outcome of and direct conversation between LAMA and Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer about the Pappas drawings. As more information surfaces, we'll be sure to keep readers updated.

Image via LAMA

Preservation Alliance of Evansville, Indiana has announced their “Top Ten Endangered List” for 2013 and The Peters-Margedent House, designed by William Wesley Peters (1935), makes the list. The group is trying to save the house by possibly moving it from its current location. Read more about it here.

Image via Google Maps

Scott T. sends a link to a home designed by John Lloyd Wright (Frank's son) in Forth Worth, TX. Check out the listing here.

Image via Trulia

Save June 7-9, 2013 on your calendars and plan on heading to Lake County in Wisconsin to tour the amazing collection of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes open for tour at the 18th annual Wright & Like Tour. Get all the details and tickets here. See you there!

Images via wrightinwisconsin.org