Photo by Rui Borges
When I moved to one of the top five “sexiest suburbs”, as Oak Park was declared a couple years ago, I had good intentions of touring the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio as soon as possible. After all, who is sexier than Frank Lloyd Wright?
But as weeks went by and I watched the streams of interlopers flock to Frank’s homestead, the tour became a turn-off to me. “I’m a resident,” I would think arrogantly to myself, “I am way too cool to visit such a tourist trap.”
Finally, a couple years ago my visitor from Pennsylvania revealed his obsession with all things Wright and asked me to accompany him to Wright’s home.
We walked a few blocks to Chicago Avenue and were transported to another time and place the minute we entered the magnificent, prairie style home. The low, natural wood ceilings and beautiful, art glass windows make the house incredibly warm and inviting. I could easily imagine Wright working away while his six children played noisily in their gigantic, second floor playroom. Our knowledgeable and passionate docent filled the tour with wonderful anecdotes about Wright and his fascinating life.
Next door, in Wright’s former studio, my friend and I were fascinated by his famous chain-hung balcony and the drafts room where this architectural genius designed some of his famous homes, several of which are right around the block from his home and studio.
Of course, if you are in the Wright frame of mind, you should also visit Unity Temple on Lake Street in Oak Park. It was constructed between 1906 and 1908 and is one of the first public buildings made of concrete. The stunning art glass alone is worth the visit.
Now that I’ve finally overcome my elitist attitude, I would highly recommend a visit to the most famous neighbor in my hood. I don’t consider it a tourist trap any longer- I really appreciate having a national treasure right in my own backyard.
- Terri Cornelius
Terri is guest contributor on behalf of the Illinois Bureau of Tourism
