Saved: The James Irving Temporary Residence (1920)
If it were not for fast detective work by designer and PrairieMod blog author Eric O’Malley, this article may have been about the destruction of two architecturally significant structures in Wilmette, Illinois. Instead, through the actions of a network of preservationists and the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, the James Irving Temporary Residence (1920), a small cottage designed in Wright’s studio by Rudolf Schindler, and the adjacent James Irving Residence designed John Van Bergen in 1928, both received reprieves. O’Malley and the Conservancy’s advocacy co-chair John Thorpe led the charge. The cause attracted attention not only from PrairieMod, and local papers but also the Chicago Tribune’s Pulitzer-prize winning architecture critic Blair Kamin.
On May 5, the Conservancy's Out and About Wright: Prairie Architecture in the Illinois Heartland took participants for tours in Springfield and Decatur, Illinois.Between architectural tours of the Dana-Thomas House (Wright 1902-1904), Lawrence Memorial Library (Wright 1905), Irving House (Wright 1909), Robert Mueller House (Marion Mahony 1909-1911) and Adoph Mueller House (Marion Mahony 1910), a presentation by Mike Jackson, FAIA, on the restoration of the Dana-Thomas House and an evening reception at the Dana-Thomas House as the sun began to set, it was difficult for participants to select their favorite part of the event.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy has embarked upon several strategies to continue to expand membership and clarify member benefits. The first phase involved new communication and publications methods and the addition of an efficient new member database. We also implemented consistent discounted member pricing and increased the number of special educational and experiential events available to Conservancy members. As of June 1, updated membership levels and benefits will be in effect.
On May 5, the Conservancy's Out and About Wright: Prairie Architecture in the Illinois Heartland took participants for tours in Springfield and Decatur, Illinois.Between architectural tours of the Dana-Thomas House (Wright 1902-1904), Lawrence Memorial Library (Wright 1905), Irving House (Wright 1909), Robert Mueller House (Marion Mahony 1909-1911) and Adoph Mueller House (Marion Mahony 1910), a presentation by Mike Jackson, FAIA, on the restoration of the Dana-Thomas House and an evening reception at the Dana-Thomas House as the sun began to set, it was difficult for participants to select their favorite part of the event.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy has embarked upon several strategies to continue to expand membership and clarify member benefits. The first phase involved new communication and publications methods and the addition of an efficient new member database. We also implemented consistent discounted member pricing and increased the number of special educational and experiential events available to Conservancy members. As of June 1, updated membership levels and benefits will be in effect.
