City of Elmhurst designates October 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 unique cultural partnership, the city will proclaim Saturday, October 24, 2020 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,” (September 10, 2020-February 14, 2021) 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 of 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. Location: 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst. More info: elmhurstartmuseum.org.

This fall, the Elmhurst History Museum is presenting Frank Lloyd Wright: Architecture of the Interior (October 23-December 20, 2020), 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. Location: 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. More info: elmhursthistory.org.

Celebrate the Midwest’s architectural heritage on Frank Lloyd Wright Day by visiting Elmhurst Art Museum and Elmhurst History Museum on October 24, 2020. Both museums are located in downtown Elmhurst within walking distance from each other and the Elmhurst Metra station. To make a reservation and find out more information, visit www.elmhurstartmuseum.org and www.elmhursthistory.org.