You can see a lot of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in the Midwest, but now when you're looking for a great day trip, you can officially tour one more—Wright’s Muirhead Farmhouse in the far northwest suburbs.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust’s Wright in the Region day trips offer guided tours of some of the famous architect’s more far-flung sites—and via a luxury coach bus, no less. You can sign up to take a trip from the Loop to Rockford, Kankakee and Racine, Wisconsin, to name a few, July to November. All trips depart at 9am from the Rookery Building, 209 S LaSalle St. Cost is $170–$215, including transportation, snacks, lunch, admission and, of course, tours.
Upcoming tours:
Tuesday, July 12. The Laurent House, Rockford. The fully restored Laurent House, circa 1952, is the only Wright home that was designed to be handicapped accessible, with an open floor plan on one level. This tour also stops at the William Pettit Chapel (1906).
Tuesday, Aug 16. The B. Harley Bradley House, Kankakee. The restored Bradley House (1900) on the Kankakee River is considered Wright’s first Prairie-style home. Over the years it’s been a restaurant, law office and even a birdhouse factory, but today it stands just waiting to be admired. This tour also includes a boat ride and walking tour of the neighborhood, so you’ll get an outside glimpse of Wright’s Warren Hickox House as well.
Tuesday, Sept 20. Muirhead Farmhouse and Fabyan Villa, Illinois Fox River Valley. See not one but two Wright-designed homes on this countryside tour. Muirhead Farmhouse is considered Wright’s solution for a working farm with a growing family, while Fabyan Villa was once the retreat of a Chicago millionaire.
Thursday, Oct. 20. Dana House and Millikin Place, Springfield. Tour the Susan Lawrence Dana House in Springfield to see some of the architect’s most famous art-glass designs and a massive collection of Wright furniture. This day trip will also take you on a walking tour through the Prairie-style community of Millikin Place in Decatur.
Tuesday, Nov. 15. SC Johnson Administration Building and Research Tower, Racine, WI. In Wisconsin, the landmark SC Johnson Administration Building (1936) is home to some of the most imaginative workspaces around. Visitors will also get to see the neighboring Research Tower (1944).