On Saturday, May 20, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust celebrated the 150th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright’s birth with the Wright Plus 150 Architectural Housewalk. Just steps from Wright’s Oak Park Home & Studio where the Prairie style of architecture was created, the annual housewalk presented a rare chance for visitors and the community to tour impeccable historic homes and see for themselves how Wright assumed a prominent position on the international stage of modernism. Proceeds from the annual event support the Trust’s education and preservation programs.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust is grateful to the Oak Park community for supporting the Home & Studio and extending a warm welcome to visitors from across the country and around the world whose love of architecture, design and the work of Frank Lloyd Wright draws them to our unique village.
Wright Plus 150 would not be possible without the homeowners who so passionately care for their historic properties and graciously share them. The 500-plus volunteers who orchestrate the housewalk are a precious asset to the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. Their hundreds of hours spent on planning, research and execution make the housewalk a singular event.
We extend our gratitude to all Wright Plus 150 supporters, our Ultimate Plus guests and our 2017 sponsors: @properties, The Emerson, Village of Oak Park, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, ComEd, Downtown Oak Park, Heritage Tile, OakParkApartments.com, Vantage Oak Park, Visit Oak Park, Albion Residential, Baird & Warner, Community Bank of Oak Park-River Forest, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Laurent House, McGrath Automotive Group, Trader Joe’s, West Studio, Gagliardo Realty Associates, Meijer and Weichert Realtors – Nickel Group, as well as our Dine Wright partners: Cozy Corner Breakfast Boutique, Cucina Paradiso, Giordano’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, Hemmingway’s Bistro, Il Vicolo Trattoria, Little Gem Café, Maya Del Sol, Mickey’s Gyros, Oak Park Brewing & Hamburger Mary’s Show Lounge, Petersen’s Ice Cream, and Winberie’s Restaurant & Bar.
Thank you also to our Community Partner, the Carleton of Oak Park, official hotel of Wright Plus 2017.
We greatly appreciate the florists whose arrangements graced our tour homes: Carriage Flowers, Moss Modern Flowers, Westgate Flower & Plant Shop, Garland Flowers, Schereck Designs Floral Studio, The Petal, and Good Earth Greenhouse.
The mission of the Trust is to engage, educate and inspire the public through interpretation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s design legacy and preservation of his original sites. We ensure that the power of Wright’s individual vision inspires future generations.
As owner and steward of Wright’s Home & Studio, the Trust is dedicated to being a good neighbor and a good friend to the community. Our commitment is generously returned by so many friends and partners. For this, we are deeply grateful.
As our successful Wright Plus 150 draws to a close, we are already planning for next year. Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 19, 2018 – the next Wright Plus.
Celeste Adams is president and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust.
