Cultural institutions across the world have found ways to engage the public virtually after being forced to shut their doors. MoMa is offering art classes, and The National Theater is airing full productions. Now, one of the biggest names in architecture is opening its doors online.
Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, and Unity Temple Restoration Foundation announced that 12 Frank Lloyd Wright-designed properties would be hosting virtual tours. The tours, called #WrightVirtualVisits and kicked off in early April, will take place every Thursday into the beginning of May and were created to give the public access to these famous places while on lockdown.
"As social distancing and stay-at-home orders have swept the country, many Frank Lloyd Wright sites that are normally open to the public had had to close their doors, just when they were gearing up for the spring touring season to begin," said the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy in a statement. "These measures are crucial to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting the staff, volunteers, and visitors who usually fill these extraordinary spaces with life."
As far as the buildings you can tour, Fallingwater, Unity Temple, Emil Bach House, The Westcott House, Hollyhock House, The Darwin Martin House, and Taliesin West are all opening their doors. The short tours will be posted to their websites, Facebook pages, and Instagram accounts and are meant to inspire people during a stressful time.
"Wright's works bring people together in harmony with the natural world, reminding us that we are all connected, even when we're apart," added the conservancy. "It is precisely at this time, when so many are shut inside, that we need to experience beauty and inspiration."
Wright was arguably the most famous architect of the 20th century. During his career, he designed over 1,000 structures and completed 500. And many of his buildings are on the National Register for Historic Places because of their significance in American architecture.
To get an inside look at these beautiful spaces you can check the Conservancy’s “Public Wright Sites Swap Virtual Visits” webpage every Thursday to see which property they'll be featuring that week.
