42. FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT HOME AND STUDIO

Oak Park, Illinois

4/9/2010

Although not in Chicago, but in nearby Oak Park, the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio is included on the Go Chicago Card, so we drove over there to take a tour.

Although we’ve heard of Frank Lloyd Wright, neither Laura nor I really knew anything about him. Lucky for us, the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio is the beginning of the Wright “pilgrimage” (Schultz’ words) since it was his first home he built when just 22 and starting his career. For two people completely ignorant of Wright’s influence, it was a great introduction. He built the house before he developed his signature prairie-style, yet he added on to it throughout the years as he grew as an artist. Because of this, as you travel through the house you quickly see the evolution of a genius in a very concrete way.

Daniel had fun on the tour, as he made friends with a very nice, elderly English lady who cooed over him the entire time. Speaking of Daniel, he was exceptionally well-behaved during the whole tour. We could tell the guides were nervous that he would be disruptive – and so were we – but he made us proud.