Taliesin

Posted by Kristin Abraham Sep 12, 2007

Over Labor Day weekend the city of Spring Green, Wisconsin celebrated its sesquecentennial; as part of the city-wide celebrations Frank Lloyd Wright's home, Taliesin, opened it's doors for a public reception. Since I had never visited the home before it seemed like the perfect opportunity to see what has been called by architecture critic Robert Campbell "the greatest single building in America".

Quite frankly, the first thing you are struck by when you approach the house is not the architecture at all, but the beautiful rolling farmland surrounding the home. I was born and raised in this area and am quite used to the beauty that surrounds the Wisconsin River valleys but ever so often it simply takes your breath away, this was one of those times.

The great architect's home still provides residence for some of the apprentices at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. Serving as hosts, the residents pointed out some of the highlights but, for the most part, we were left to explore as we deemed appropriate, spending as much or as little time in each area as our hearts desired.

Wright spent 48 years building Taliesin, and I'm certain that he felt it was never complete. The home was his workshop and he constantly worked out his ideas at home before taking them to the world. One can only imagine what it would look like if he had lived longer, the only certain thing is it would not look as it does today.

I have to say that my first impression was my lasting impression of Taliesin and I'm not sure if it's a good reflection of Wright or not. But I'm left with the images of incredible natural beauty and a quiet unassuming home that almost becomes part of the landscape itself.