How to Immerse Yourself in Ground-Breaking Architecture Along Wisconsin's Frank Lloyd Wright Trail

15.11.2024 - 09:40 / matadornetwork.com / River Valley

Even if you know nothing about architecture, you have likely heard of Frank Lloyd Wright. Undeniably the most famous American architect, Wright designed over 1,000 structures throughout his life, from houses to apartments, chapels, museums, commercial buildings, and more. Of these, only 532 were completed.

The landscape in his home state of Wisconsin inspired his work immensely. Wright designed a total of 57 structures in Wisconsin, 45 of which were completed and are still standing today. Driving Wisconsin’s Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, which covers 200 miles and includes stops at nine of the architect’s most impressive works in the state, is an easy way to see a variety of his creations, including one of the eight Wright sites that are heritage-listed by the UNESCO.

While all nine sites on the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail are worth seeing, we selected the three that really can’t be missed — and one bonus.

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The gist: Taliesin can be considered the nerve center of Wright’s creativity and the basis of all of his architectural achievements. The estate also showcases multiple structures designed by Wright throughout his life and career, allowing visitors to see the progression of his artistry over the span of 50 years.

Initially built in 1911 and rebuilt after two devastating fires in 1914 and 1925, Taliesin, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was Wright’s home for nearly 50 years. Taliesin means “shining brow” in the architect’s ancestral Welsh language. The home is located on the edge of a hill in the Wisconsin River Valley in the southern part of the state, where Wright spent his childhood. According to the principles of organic architecture that he worked by, Wright used local limestone and Wisconsin River sand to build a home in harmony with its rural surroundings. While Taliesin is the name of the house, the 800-acre property comprises much more than one residential structure, including the Midway Barn, an agricultural building; the Hillside Studio and Theater, the architect’s studio and the former home of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture; and Riverview Terrace, today the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center.

Address: 5607 County Road C, Spring Green, WI 53588, US

How to visit: Taliesin is located in a rural setting, one hour west of Madison and 2.5 hours from Chicago O’hare International Airport on the I-90. The Taliesin estate is open and hosts tours from April through November. Tickets are available for purchase online.

Where to eat: The on-site Riverview Terrace Café, open daily from May 1 to August 31 with reduced hours in the fall, serves lunch