Taliesin

Since I am just north of Chicago for an extended trip, I have some weekends free and figured it would be perfect to finally visit Taliesin East. And then I checked the schedule. They are only open for tours until October 31st!!!

Luckily I have a local friend who was up for a last minute trip and a bit of a drive. Saturday dawned sunny and crisp – perfect for the 3 hour drive to Spring Green. We hit Dunkins and headed out.

With the last minute decision to visit, we were unable to book tickets on the Estate tour which is 4 hours of walking, riding and exploring the main house, Mr Wright’s studio, Hillside, Midway Barns, Tan y Deri and Romeo and Juliet. I had to be happy with a combination of the Hillside and House tours and agree that another visit will be planned.

Both tours were excellent and comprehensive. I was thrilled to be in a place I had heard so much about and to experience it first hand.

This is an AWESOME tour, especially if you get the tour guide we had, John. Learning so many details about the personality of Wright really sets this tour apart. Traveling through the entire estate was really an experience, and we even saw one of the elder architects who lives on the premises at work in the studio.

We were able to stay at a nearby golf resort (though we didn’t have a chance to golf) which was decorated largely with Wright designs – the carpeting, wall paper, etc. Very beautiful (though not overwrought) with a nice pool, etc.

To quote Monty Python on Camelot, “’tis a silly place”. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit. If you’re a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright, this is a pilgrimage you need to make.

If you’re in the area be sure to see the Unitarian Meeting House (http://www.fusmadison.org/mh/facilities.shtml) and the 4+ Wright houses in the Madison area. Also worth seeing is Louis Sullivan’s Bradley House in Madison.

I give tours of a house designed by FLLW and have visited many other Wright sites, but neither Taliesin (yet).