2008 Marks Centennial Year for Frank Lloyd Wright's Westcott House

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House celebrates 100 years in 2008. Though neglected for many years, the house has been reclaimed to mark this milestone. In commemoration of this momentous time in Westcott House history, The Westcott House Foundation is planning celebration events throughout the year.

The Westcott House Foundation welcomes industry professionals to the Centennial Lecture Series to share their knowledge relating to Frank Lloyd Wright, architecture, design, and innovation. Currently in progress, the lecture series will continue on April 10 featuring Margo Stipe, Curator and Registrar of Collections at Taliesin West, as she discusses the influence that Japanese culture had on Frank Lloyd Wright's use of space. On May 15, Michael Caldwell, AIA and professor at the Knowlton School of Architecture from The Ohio State University, will address Frank Lloyd Wright's Jacobs House and organic architecture. Held in the Bailey Auditorium on the campus of Wittenberg University, the lecture series serves to provide a greater appreciation for Frank Lloyd Wright and the world of architecture.

On May 31, The Westcott House Foundation will host its 2nd annual Big Band Concert on the Westcott House Lawn. The Bob Gray Orchestra will provide the musical backdrop for this night of dancing under the stars in celebration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s 141st birthday. Guests can also bid on a variety of travel packages, books, artwork, and other items in a silent auction. This event serves as the annual fundraiser for The Westcott House Foundation. Proceeds from the evening will support The Westcott House in its mission to share the legacies of Frank Lloyd Wright and Burton Westcott.

As part of the Springfield Arts Council’s Summer Arts Festival, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra will play a selection in honor of the Westcott House’s Centennial. During its performance on Saturday, June 21, the orchestra will highlight Westcott House with music and an interactive display in collaboration with visual media artists The Now Device. This public performance will serve as a preview to the final centennial event.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House: A Centennial Tribute tops the year as the capstone of the centennial events. On September 6, The Westcott House Foundation will present an evening of retrospection on Frank Lloyd Wright, the golden era of Springfield and the Westcott House. The evening will feature keynote speaker Eric Lloyd Wright, grandson of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Springfield Symphony Orchestra and The Now Device will present a collaborative concert, treating guests to an audio-visual celebration of this national architectural treasure.

For more information on any of the Centennial events, please call 937.327.9291. Managed by The Westcott House Foundation, Frank Lloyd Wright's Westcott House is open for tours Wednesday through Sunday.