Sunday, August 07, 2005

Dana-Thomas House



Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Susan Dana Thomas House in 1902 and today it remains a world famous example of his Prairie style in domestic architecture.



Located at 301 East Lawrence Avenue, the home is maintained by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. If you click on that link, you'll learn more about the house and take a virtual tour through its rooms.

Recently Diane Gurgens Urbanckas attended a floral art show at the house that featured the work of 27 artists, all using fresh flowers and good old prairie weeds. She sent me a photo of one exhibit in the house library.

The Dana-Thomas house is open year-round and is well worth a visit on your next trip to Springfield. Thanks to Diane for sharing her pictures!

4 comments:

melinama said...

Is this one of the famously leaking houses?

I like your blog. I'm here for the first time, via Ronni.

Will Howarth said...

Hi Jane,

I've heard that they had to repair the roof of this house several times.

A few years ago, one of my students interviewed people in Oak Park about the comforts (and not) of living in an FLW house. They all said that the houses were hard to clean and dust.

Will

Anonymous said...

The house is open year round, but make note that it's NOT open Mondays and Tuesdays. The B&B we stayed in had no clue, though we were only blocks away.

The Abraham Lincoln Museum is an absolute marvel and thrill to go through. Other than that - I'd get out of Springfield QUICK!!!!

Will Howarth said...

Sarajane,

Thanks for the update on the open hours. I'm sorry that I could not have guided you around Springfield--it has some nooks and corners with a great deal of charm, just as I'm sure that Seattle does--if you look hard enough!!

All best, Will

(58s--Sarajane and I really are friends!)