American System-Built Home Model B1
(1916) Frank Lloyd Wright

With the award-winning restoration completed in the fall of 2009 resulting from a successful fundraising campaign and Save America’s Treasures grant, this charming 805 sq. ft. cottage has welcomed visitors from throughout the United States and from twenty foreign countries. Period furnishings have been added to heighten the experience of this important Wright dwelling designed as affordable, yet distinctive housing for families of modest means.

American System-Built Home Model Flat-C 
(1916) Frank Lloyd Wright

Formerly a duplex and a model for adaptive reuse, this single-family home was rescued by its current owners over twenty-eight years ago.  Believing in the significance and importance of the Wright-designed American System-Built homes, these owners created a model example for historic preservation that served as the inspiration for the restoration of the entire block.

Special Tour Site:
American System-Built Home Model Flat-C
(1916) Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright® Wisconsin is honored to have been granted their second Save America’s Treasures grant for the restoration and preservation of this ASBH Model Flat-C duplex. This is a unique opportunity to experience this Wright home in its fragile, pre-restoration state and to understand the importance of its preservation.

Dr. T. Robinson & Emma Bours House
(1922) Russell Barr Williamson

The Bours house is considered to be Williamson’s finest example of his vast body of work.  He exemplifies the Prairie style through such design elements as his signature ribbon-windows, low-pitched hipped roof with Spanish-type terra cotta tiles, wide overhanging eaves, and decorative tiles of cast concrete.  The home has elaborate detailing throughout. The lavish terrace garden, with its original decorative iron fence designed by Williamson, welcomes you to experience this architectural masterpiece.

William B. & Sonia Rubin Duplex
(1911) Leenhouts & Guthrie

This Prairie-style stucco-sheathed duplex, characterized by its flat roof, broad overhanging eaves and horizontal banks of windows, includes documented design elements by interior architect, George Mann Niedecken.  Both the lower and upper units feature a low-lying Roman brick fireplace, with original rectilinear designed wall sconces and matching hardware throughout the home’s main living areas.  An original stencil depicting flowers mixed with a faux mosaic tile pattern still adorns the ceiling in the upper unit.

John S. & Evelyn Walbridge House
(1910) Architect Unknown

George Mann Niedecken arranged for the construction of this ‘honeymoon cottage' for his sister Evelyn and business partner, John Walbridge.  The home, whose architect is unknown, is a simple Prairie box design with strong horizontal lines of wood siding.  Unusual vertical board-and-batten cladding sheathes the exterior of the upper story, banded with colored leaded-glass windows.  Notable interior features of the home are attributed to Niedecken.  Painstaking restoration and pursuit of this home’s lineage in celebration of its centenary year make this an intriguing and delightful Wright & Like stop.

George H. & Eleanor Gabel House
(1916) Clare C. Hosmer

This charming, two-story stucco home is designed with Prairie sensibilities fused with elements indicative of Mediterranean Revival architecture.  The second-story arched doors featuring leaded glass in a floral and vine design and wrought iron balcony add a romantic touch to the home’s overall Prairie style.  Designed by architect Clare Hosmer, the home is an eclectic mix of both style and ornamentation and is a visual treat not to be missed.

August L. & Carrie Gebhardt House
(1916/1995) Clare Hosmer/Ken Dahlin

Strong horizontal lines epitomize this classic Prairie-style home clad with red brick veneer with stucco trim and distinctive, green clay-tile roof.  A 450-foot addition to the living space – a modified replica of Frank Lloyd Wright’s second Francis Little residence “Northome” – was designed by Ken Dahlin of Genesis Architecture.  The interior has been painstakingly restored, and includes windows and Dana House-inspired Butterfly lamps crafted by the artisans of Oakbrook-Esser Studios.

Irving & Lorraine Armour House
(1960) John Randal McDonald

Distinctively oriental in appearance, this five-bedroom, Mid-Century marvel remains mostly original.  A tall wall of windows overlooks the spacious backyard, giving this home its light and airy feel, while a small waterfall trickles down beside the large fireplace providing peaceful tranquility.  This Usonian-style dwelling was designed by John Randal McDonald for Irving and Lorraine Armour, who lovingly cared for the home for over 40 years.

 John & Sonia Dulka House
(1953) Mendel Glickman

Mendel Glickman has long been associated with Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Fellowship.  A trained civil engineer who first came to Taliesin in 1932 to teach structural engineering, he continued to work with Wright as a consultant engineer until his death in 1967.  He most famously assisted in the engineering of Fallingwater and Johnson Wax.  Glickman also designed the John & Sonia Dulka House in Bayside, Wisconsin.   This renowned home is stunning with original interior details including a massive Roman brick fireplace, a wall of floor to ceiling windows that open onto a private wooded lot, and built-in bookcases which grace the open living room.  The home, which has only had two owners, is a Mid-Century delight!

Joseph Mollica House
(1956) Frank Lloyd Wright

Contractor Joseph Mollica built Prefab #1 – the first of three prefabricated designs produced by Frank Lloyd Wright for Madison builder, Marshall Erdman. Native Wisconsin limestone is used in the fireplace and masonry walls.  The home, which is nestled on the edge of a ravine, is the only Erdman Prefab #1 designed with an optional workshop positioned between the kitchen and garage, and the addition of French doors that open up the kitchen area to the wooded backyard. 
 

Wright & Like Headquarters & Tour Site:
The North Point Lighthouse
(1855/1888)

For more than a century, the North Point Lighthouse stood tall, overlooking the water and beaming out its light to protect and guide ships and watercraft.  The 74-foot lighthouse tower and the two-and-one-half story, wood-frame Keeper’s Quarters built in 1888, are an integral part of Milwaukee’s Lake Park - designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. This iconic structure played an important role in the region’s maritime trade and economic growth for more than 120 years, where it remained in use until decommissioned in 1994. 

Both the lighthouse tower and adjoining house will be open for guided tours.

Exterior Tour Only:
Frederick C. Bogk House
(1916) Frank Lloyd Wright

Designed during the same period as the American System-Built Homes and the Imperial Hotel in Japan, the Frederick C. Bogk Residence is considered to be one of Wright’s most important works from this period.  This two-story house was constructed of Roman brick, with buff brick columns framing the leaded, art-glass windows capped by decorative cast concrete.   The home’s sculptural frieze is an important shift by Wright to a totally geometric style, allowing it to merge with the building to become an organic whole. 

Docents will be on hand to provide detailed information on this important Milwaukee Wright home!