About the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust

More than one hundred years ago, Frank Lloyd Wright sparked an architectural revolution with the opening of his studio in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park, Illinois. Every year thousands of tourists visit Wright’s remarkable Home and Studio in Oak Park, and his Prairie style masterpiece, the Frederick C. Robie House on the University of Chicago campus. Both sites are National Historic Landmarks, managed by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust as accredited museums.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust's mission is to engage the public in educational and aesthetic experiences to foster an appreciation of architecture, design and the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright.

History of the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust

The Preservation Trust was established in 1974 as the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, to acquire and preserve Wright's Home and Studio in Oak Park as the birthplace of American residential architecture. In 1975, the Home and Studio became a co-stewardship property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Home and Studio Foundation embarked on its mission to restore and operate the building as a historic house museum. In 1976, the Home and Studio was declared a National Historic Landmark. The ensuing $3+ million restoration was completed in 1987, at which time it received the American Institute of Architects' prestigious National Honor Award.

In February 1997, the Home and Studio Foundation built upon its past success by assuming responsibility for the management and restoration of Wright's spectacular Robie House, located on the University of Chicago campus. At that time, the Robie House became one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 21 historic sites. In 2000, the Home and Studio Foundation changed its name to the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust to better reflect the dual stewardship of the Home and Studio and Frederick C. Robie House. The Preservation Trust has planned a ten-year timetable for the Robie House restoration and is responsible for funding and executing the $8+ million project in its entirety.

A dedicated group of more than 500 volunteers provide interpretive tours of both museum sites to 97,000 visitors from around the world each year. The Preservation Trust provides an array of inspiring public education programs, and operates a public access research center containing special collections on the early work of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie School of architecture. Governed by a Board of Directors and managed by a staff of more than 50 employees, the Preservation Trust's operating income is derived from tours, merchandise proceeds, memberships, donations and grants from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Its financial responsibilities include fully funding the preservation and restoration of both of the Preservation Trust's historic sites.

Board of Directors

Officers
Jeffrey C. Grip, Ph.D., Chairman                          
    Witmer and Associates                                                                                 
Brent J. Hill, Vice Chairman                                
    FeedBurner                                    
Jim Schiefelbein, Vice Chairman                        
    Baird and Warner                                                                               
James A. Graves, Treasurer
    J.P.Morgan (retired)                                  
John M. Rafkin, Secretary                                         
    Sidley Austin LLP                                                                                     
J. Michael Poirier, Assistant Treasurer                          
    Procter and Gamble Company (retired)

Directors                         
Susan S. Freehling                                                           
    Freehling Pot & Pan Co.
John L. Hedges
    Park District of Oak Park (retired)                                               
Robert W. Karr, Jr.                                                              
    Jones Day
Leroy E. Kennedy                                                       
    Illinois Institute of Technology
William R. Kramer                                             
    United Airlines
Nichole L. Markley                                                    
    Segal Company
James R. Poueymirou                                                 
    Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Graham J. Rarity                                               
    Tiffany & Co
Calvin A. Roesner, Ed. D.                                                      
    Chevron Energy Solutions Co.
Mark S. Saviski                                           
    Romane Fragrances LLC
Christopher M. Straus, MD                                     
    University of Chicago
Joan B. Mercuri, President & CEO (Ex-Officio)                                            
    Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust

Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust | 931 Chicago Avenue | Oak Park, IL 60302
708.848.1976 | Fax 708.848.1248 |

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