Dear UTRF friends,
2019 - what an amazing year! Our list of accomplishments is long, but we couldn’t have done any of it without you - thank you! We would like to share some important accomplishments that have taken place over the past year:
The comprehensive restoration of Unity Temple has been heralded around the world as a standard of excellence for historic preservation. We are honored that in 2019 the Unity Temple project was awarded with:
- The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Preservation Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation
- American Institute of Architects - Illinois Crombie Taylor Restoration Award
- Urban Land Institute - Chicago Vision Award for Projects
- Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy – Wright Spirit Award
Unity Temple was designed with near-perfect acoustics and is the ideal location for performances and lectures. In 2019 guests enjoyed:
- Unity Chamber Music Series - six chamber concerts through 2019-20
- Performing Arts – collaborations with local organizations presenting dance, theater, and choral performances
- break::the::box - 4 lectures with notable keynote speakers and interactive panels of experts launches in 2020
We’re saving the best for last! In July of 2019, Unity Temple, along with seven other Wright buildings, was inscribed as part of a UNESCO World Heritage site! “The 20th Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright” collection, one of only 24 listings in the United States, represents the first modern architecture designation in the country.
Where do we go from here? Programs, plans and preservation is the short answer. UTRF will continue presenting our cultural and educational programs, and we are planning for grant support to develop a Comprehensive Management Plan, leading the way for our long-term preservation efforts. Your contribution to UTRF is an investment in our community. Please consider donating this year either on-line at utrf.org or by mail.
As always, thank you for your support of UTRF and Unity Temple!
Sincerely,
Heidi Ruehle-May, Executive Director
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