YEAR DESCRIPTION ST# 1885 1885 Wright at 18. Frank Lloyd Wright Portrait (circa 1885). Photographer E.R. Curtiss, Wisconsin Historical Society. High-res digital 4 x 5 image. 0001.01.0706 1886 Circa 1886 Wright at 19. Frank Lloyd Wright Portrait (circa1886). In January 1886, Wright was admitted to the University of Wisconsin. In early 1887 Wright left Madison for Chicago. 5.75 x 7.1. Print, High res digital image. 0001.02.0310 1887 1887 Wright at 20. Portrait of Wright shortly after he arrived in Chicago. Published in "An Autobiography, Frank Lloyd Wright", Wright, 1977, page 64f. Dated at age 20. Also published in "Frank Lloyd Wright A Biography, Secrest, 1992, page 80. Dated at age 20. 4.25 x 6 Print, High res digital image. 0004.01.0509 1889 1889 Wright at 22. Frank Lloyd Wright Portrait (circa 1889). International Newsreel Photo - Received 9/20/29. Typed caption on back: "Friends incorporate F.L. Wright, Architect. Chicago Ill... Frank Lloyd Wright, internationally famous architect who is now an institution under the charter of Frank Lloyd Wright, Inc., following the establishment of the corporation by his friends. Wright may now give his talent free play unhampered by domestic or financial matters. He is said to have invented a method that will revolutionize skyscrapers." Time line: Wright arrived in Chicago in 1887. Set up his own practice in 1893. Original silver gelatin photo. 6 x 8. 0009.01.0401 1890 1890 Wright at 23, Wright Family, Summer 1890. On June 1, 1889, Catherine and Frank were married in Chicago, Illinois. She was 17 years old. During the Summer of 1890, at one of the family gatherings, this photograph was taken on the front steps of Wright’s newly completed home. Always aware of appearance, Wright placed an oriental carpet on the stairs, and a tennis racket in his Aunt’s hand. (L to R) Uncle Jenkin Lloyd Jones and his wife Aunt Susan Lloyd Jones; Wright’s sister Jane; Catherine holding Frank Lloyd Wright, Jr. (Lloyd); his mother Anna Wright; his sister Maginel; Wright; and Mary, the daughter of Jenkin and Susan. Published in "Frank Lloyd Wright’s Monona Terrace", Mollenhoff; Hamilton, 1999, page 61, Dated late 1890. 6.75 x 5.5. Print, High res digital image. 0011.01.0310 1894 1894 William H. Winslow House (1894). Photographed in 1894, printed in 1959. Chicago Architectural Photographing Company, Chicago. This is the actual print that was used for producing the image on page 117 in the June 1959 “Architectural Record”. Original gelatin silver photograph printed from the original negative. Printed in 1959 by Henry Fuermann and Sons. The original image was published in June 1900 "The Architectural Review" page 62. Also published in “In The Nature of Materials” 1942 Henry-Russell Hitchcock plate 27; “Frank Lloyd Wright to 1910" 1958 Grant Carpenter Manson page 66; “Frank Lloyd Wright: A study in Architectural Content” 1966 Norris Kelly Smith page 70; “Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier” 1994 Richard A. Etlin page 42; “Frank Lloyd Wright: Architect” 1994 Terence Riley page 115; "Frank Lloyd Wright and The Meaning of Materials", 1994 Patterson page 34; “The Decorative Designes of FLW”, 1979, Hanks, pp 12. 8 x 10. 1275.07.0706 1895 1895 Wright at 28. Portrait of Wright in 1895. Frank Lloyd Wright: Wright was about 28 at the time this picture was taken, circa 1895. Just two years earlier he had left the employment of Louis Sullivan and begun his independent practice of architecture. Published in "Frank Lloyd Wright, His Life and His Architecture", Twombly, 1979, page 23 but dated 1889. Courtesy National Library of Australia. 3.25 x 5.6 Print, High res digital image. 0018.01.0509 1895 Wright at 28. 1895. "A self-photograph. No ‘picture-taker’ could satisfy him. So he rigged up his camera with a long rubber tube, and at the right moment, squeezed the bulb! It was the year 1895." John Lloyd Wright, published in "My Father Who is on Earth", 1946, page 18. 4.75 x 5.8 Print, High res digital image. 0018.02.0609 1900 1900 Wright at 33. Circa 1900. Wright wearing a hat, looking to the left. 5 x 6.2 Print, High res digital image. 0041.01.0609 1900-1910 Miriam Noel Wright. Circa 1900-1910 (30-40 years old). Miriam wearing a hat, facing slightly to the right. Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute, Phil Fedderson collection. (Note: AIA Monthly Bulletin, Michigan Society of Architects - December 1959) (Phil H. Fedderson: A native of Clinton and a graduate of Iowa State University in Ames, Phil Feddersen gained his work experience with Alden Dow of Midland, Michigan before opening his own architectural firm in Clinton 1959. Like Dow, Feddersen has been strongly influenced by the later work of Frank Lloyd Wright.) Many of Feddersen’s designs exhibit the "organic" design philosophy of Wright. Published in “Many Masks” Gill, 1987, page 235. 5 x 7 Print. High res digital image. 0041.02.0609 1903 1903 Wright at 36. Circa 1903. Portrait of Wright slightly facing to the right, resting his head on his hand. May have been photographed at the same one dated 1905 (Wright at 38), but his hair does not have the touch of gray. Published in "Frank Lloyd Wright" Thomas, 1997, page 6 and dated 1903. 4 x 5 Print, High res digital image. 0054.02.0609 1905 1905 Wright at 38. Circa 1905. Wright slightly facing to the right. This portrait has been dated circa 1926, which would place Wright at 59. A more accurate date would be circa 1905. A very similar portrait is published in "Frank Lloyd Wright Collected Writings", Volume 1, Pfeiffer, page 2. 5 x 7 Print, High res digital image. 0058.03.0609 1905 Martha “Mamah” Bouton Borthwick Cheney (June 19, 1869 - August 15, 1914). Mamah Borthwick was born in Boone, Iowa. She received a BA at the University of Michigan, and later worked as a librarian in Port Huron, Michigan. In 1899, she married Edwin Cheney, an electrical engineer from Oak Park, Illinois, USA. They had two children: John (1902) and Martha (1905). Edwin commissioned Wright to design them a home in 1903. In 1909, Mamah and Frank left their respective spouses and traveled to Europe, settling in Italy for about a year. Upon their return, they settled at Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin. On August 15, 1914, one of Wright's recently hired domestic workers murdered Mamah, both her children, three of Wright's associates, and a son of one of the associates. He set fire to one wing of Taliesin, and murdered the seven people with an ax as they tried to escape the fire. At the time, Wright was overseeing work on Midway Gardens in Chicago. Catherine Wright refused to give Wright a divorce until November 13, 1922. Note on Verso, dated 11/15/22 (two days after divorce was granted) “Old love of famous architect who is divorced. Photo is of Mamah Borthwick Cheney who fled with Frank Lloyd Wright to a ‘Love Hegira’ in Japan, and who died in the flames of the 'Love Bungalow' of herself and Wright, at Spring Green, Wis. Note: Chicago Herald & Examiner of November 15th carried story of Frank Lloyd Wright divorce.” Very few images exist. Meryle Secrest notes in a portrait caption “Frank Lloyd Wright A Biography” 1992, page 196, “The only known photograph of Mamah Borthwick Cheney, published in the Chicago Tribune at the time of her murder, in 1914.” Original silver gelatin 8.5 x 6.5 photograph. 0058.02.0307 1906 1906 Wright at 39. Circa 1906. Portrait of Wright slightly facing to the right. Hair has just a touch of gray. May have been photographed at the same one dated 1905 (Wright at 38). Published in "Frank Lloyd Wright Collected Writings" Volume 1, Pfeiffer, page 2; “Many Masks” Gill, 1987, page 180. Courtesy of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Foundation. 7 x 8.2 Print, High res digital image. 0064.02.0609 1907 1907-1908 Catherine Tobin Wright. Circa 1907-1908. Catherine and her youngest child Robert Llewellyn Wright (1903-1985) age 4-5. Catherine Tobin Wright in a dress designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. See similar photograph without Robert in "The decorative designs of Frank Lloyd Wright", Hanks, page 25. (Note: Robert Llewellyn Wright was born on November 15, 1903 in Oak Park, IL, and passed away on February 22, 1986 in West Bethesda, MD. He married Elizabeth Bryant Kehler on July 29, 1933. He was buried in Unity Chapel Cemetery, Spring Green, WI.) Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute, Mrs. Robert L. Wright collection. Published in "Frank Lloyd Wright A Biography", Secrest, 1992, page 191, dated 1907. 5 x 6.5 Print. High res digital image. 0080.07.0609 1908 1908 Photo of Minnehaha Falls. F.L. Wright Photo, St. Paul. Copyright 1908. 1908.00.1201 1909 1909 Portrait of Mrs. E. H. (Mamah Borthwick) Cheney. Chicago Tribune Photograph. Published in the Chicago Tribune on August 6, 1911 at the time of her divorce and in 1914 at the time of her death. Courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Published in "Frank Lloyd Wright A Biography" Secrest,1992, page 196; "Frank Lloyd Wright, An Interpretive Biography", Twombly, 1973, page 92. (Note: Mamah Borthwick married Edwin Cheney when she was thirty. Could this possibly be her wedding photograph? 1899?) 4.25 x 6 Print, High res digital image. 0085.05.0509 1909 Scoville Park Fountain, Oak Park (1903 S.094) 1909. Published in the Chicago Daily News in 1909. Taken by a Chicago Daily News photographer. Erected by the Oak Park Horse Show Association. Dedicated and presented to the Village July 24, 1909. Photographed and first published after the presentation. Note height of horse trough. Plants growing on top. Wrought iron fence beyond fountain. Home is visible in the background. 8.25 x 6 Print. High res digital image. 0086.04.0310 1910 1910 Wright’s Oak Park Playroom (1895 S.003) C1910. Photographed by Henry Fuermann & Sons. Published in "In The Nature of Material" Hitchcock, 1942, Plate 16, credited to Fuermann; also published in "Frank Lloyd Wright to 1910" Manson, 1958, page 47, credited to Fuermann and dated 1910. Caption on verso: "Abundant use of wood and stone in living room of Wright’s own Oak Park home, built in 1895, sowed seeds for natural building materials often seen in today’s homes. Wall mural over fireplace recalls popularity of this type of interior decorating treatment today. Hanging lamps over chairs near fireplace may be forerunners of today’s pulley lights. Chicago Architectural Photography Co. Photo. (Stamped) Mar 27, 1957. " Noted changes from photograph published in House Beautiful, February 1897: Built-in window seats on left and right are removed; Windows on left cover have been sealed off; Four light fixtures have been added; Two leaded glass cabinets have been added.4 on either side of fireplace. Original 10 x 8 B&W Print. Acquired from the archives of the Chicago Sun Times. 0094.06.0310 1910 Mamah Borthwick Cheney. Circa 1910-1914. She appears to be just a little older in this photograph than in the other two available photographs. Note: she was 45 at the time of her death (1914). She would have been 41 years old in 1910. Published in “Many Masks” Gill, 1987, page 207. 4.75 x 6.5 Print, High res digital image. 0094.05.0609 1910's Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Photo Package. Package of 10 Genuine Photographs, Lake Geneva, Wis. One photo of Hotel Geneva (1.75 x 2.75"). Grogan Photo Systems, Inc. 0104.03.0602 1910's Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Photo Package. Package of 10 Genuine Photographs, Lake Geneva, Wis. One photo of Hotel Geneva (1.75 x 2.75"). Grogan Photo Systems, Inc. 0104.04.0307 1910's Hillside Home School Copy Negative and Contact sheet (circa 1910)
1910.00.0604 1911 1911 Wright’s Oak Park Home and Studio (1895 S.003) 1911. "In December of 1911 he left Oak Park and moved to Spring Green... There he built Taliesin 1 for his new life with Mamah Cheney. Before leaving Oak Park, Wright extensively remodeled the home and studio. The studio was converted to a dwelling for his wife and four children still living at home. The home was converted into a rental unit to provide income for Catherine. This wall was constructed to add privacy to the garden and ‘Library’. "The Plan for Restoration" 1978, pages38-40. Stamped on verso: "Dec 2 - 1911". Photographed by "Bu... & At..., Press Photographers, Chicago." Clipping on verso: "Although Frank Lloyd Wright’s home in Oak Park today serves as a museum, it was built in 1889 for about $6,000. In 1911, workers built the brick fence that assures privacy." 10 x 8 Print, High res image. From the archives of the Chicago Sun Times. 0104.07.0410 1911 (Side Note) Hoquiam Library, Hoquiam, Washington. After living in the State of Washington for over 30 years, I was surprised to find such a fine example of a prairie style building right here in my back yard. I was even more surprised when I discovered it was built in 1911. Originally funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, (funding secured in 1910), it's on the National Register of Historic Places and is known as a rare example of the Prairie Style of Architecture found in the Pacific Northwest. The original building was designed by the architectural firm of Claude & Starck, Madison, Wisconsin. Louis Claude was a former associate and lifelong friend of architects Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. Claude & Starck's work reflects this influence. This firm was selected by Miss Macpherson, the first Librarian. She had previously worked in the Evansville, Wisc. Library which was also designed by them. After additional research I was surprised to five additional libraries from the same design. The library was formally dedicated on August 25, 1911. In 1991, the building was enlarged and remodeled by Tonkin/Koch Architects of Seattle. They did an excellent job of duplicating and blending the with original design. The original frieze mold was still available through a University of Minnesota Library which houses the Louis W. Claude Papers. I commend the City of Hoquiam and Tonkin/Koch Architects for preserving such a wonderful piece of art. Set of 12 high-res digital images (February 23, 2007), including two brochures. 2007.03.0207 1913 1913 Francis W. Little House Living Room 1913. “200B. Francis W. Little House, ‘Northome’ R.F.D. 3, Wayzata, Minn. 1913 - Living Room.” Photographic copy of Plate 200b, “In The Nature of Material” Hitchcock, 1942. Verso label: “The Living Room from the Francis Little House, Wayzata, Minn. 1912-1914. Designed by FLW. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Emily C. Chadbourne Bequest. Photo by Hollis, courtesy Henry-Russell Hitchcock.” 8 x 10 silver gelatin photo. 0120.03.0207 1914 1914 Wright at 47. Circa 1914. Portrait of Wright facing slightly to the left. This was taken about the time he was completing Midway Gardens. Published in "An Autobiography, Frank Lloyd Wright", page 192a. 4.6 x 7 Print, High res digital image. 0124.09.0709 1914 Midway Garden Sprite. Chicago Architectural Photographing Company, Chicago. Original gelatin silver photograph printed by photographer Clarence Fuermann (1883-1983). Printed in the early 1960s from the original negative (1913-14). Clarence Fuermann of Henry Fuermann and Sons. The original image was published in “The Life-Work of the American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright” 1925, page 76, center. 8 x 10. 1407.01.0406 1914 Midway Garden Entrance (1914). Chicago Architectural Photographing Company, photographer Clarence Fuermann (1883-1983), Chicago, (Note: "Domino's Collection" page 152; "In The Nature of Materials", page xvi, no. 194). Purchased from "The Architectural Forum". Note on back indicates it was used by Arthur Drexler - MOMA. This image published in “Frank Lloyd Wright: Writings and Buildings” 1960, Edgar Kaufmann and Ben Raeburn, page 120. “Frank Lloyd Wright and Midway Gardens” 1998, Paul Kruty, page g. "Frank Lloyd Wright: Preserving an Architectural Heritage, Domino’s Collection" David A. Hanks, page 89. 8 x 10. 1407.02.0706 1914 Exotic Dancers, Midway Gardens 1914. Photographed by Collins (emboss on verso of board). Possibly a publicity photograph or souvenir a that could be purchased as a keepsake, 4.75 x 3.6, mounted to decorative board 6.76 x 5.8. Photograph 4.75 x 3.6. 0124.03.0407 1915 1915 Larkin Building. Darwin D. Martin's desk designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the Larkin Administration Building (1905) atrium, Buffalo, New York, August 3, 1915 (Martin was CEO of Larkin). It shows Martin's desk on his return from a family vacation to Yosemite. The "Welcome Home" flowers are in a Rookwood(?) vase. In the early 1980s the Kelmscott Gallery acquired this photograph from the estate of Darwin. D. Martin. It beautifully illustrates Wright's concept of a common workspace for executives and employees. The desk by Van Dorn Iron Works Company had "drawers of various sizes and designed to provide space for specific forms and papers". The chair is designed with painted steel and an oak seat. The photograph is so clear that “Tuesday August 3" is visible on a number of desk calendars. According to the Graycliff Conservatory, Inc., Scott Elliott (Kelmscott Gallery) donated an impressive collection of historic photographs of the Darwin D. Martin family, including a photo album and journal of the Martin family's cross country trip to California including Yosemite National Park in 1915. The Larkin Company was a mail-order house that sold soap and other household products. The building was demolished between February and July 1950. Published in "Frank Lloyd Wright’s Larkin Building, Myth and Fact" Quinan, 1989, page 50. Original silver gelatin 1915 photograph. Photographer unknown. 7.5 x 7.75. 0128.02.0107 1916 1916 Robie House, Wilbers seated in Living Room (1906 S.127) 1916. Seated on the left, Mrs. Isadora Wilber and Jeannette, seated on the right, Mr. Marshall D. Wilber. Stamped on Verso: Feb 1963, Field Enterprises, Inc. Hand written: "Frank Lloyd Wright. Mr. & Mrs. Marshall D. Wilber and daughter Jeannette (age 10). The second (third) owners of Robie House. Photo taken 1916." Robie sold the house in December 1911 to David Lee Taylor. Taylor died in October, 1912 and his wide sold the Robie House to Marshall Dodge Wilber in November 1912. "...the Wilbers loved the place and preserved everything as it was originally built. Commenting on the occasion when he accompanied the older Wright to dinner, he continued: "The old brown-stained furniture and woodwork was cleaned and polished. The soft autumn shade on the sand-finished wall panels had been maintained. The special light fixtures and leaded glass windows were clear and bright.. After we left, Dad said to me: 'You see John, that's an example of a house that has character, it grows more valuable as it grows older."' John Lloyd Wright, biography page 148. Wilber sold the house to the Chicago Theological Seminary on June 9, 1926. Published in "Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House", Hoffmann 1984, page 65. 7.25 x 5.75 Print, High res image. From the archives of the Chicago Daily News. 0132.08.0410 1916 Robie House, Wilbers seated in Living Room (1906 S.127) 1916. Stamped on Verso: Feb 1963, Field Enterprises, inc. Hand written: "Frank Lloyd Wright. Mr. & Mrs. Marshall D. Wilber and daughter Jeannette, age 10. 2nd (3rd) owners of Robie House - 1916." Robie sold the house in December 1911 to David Lee Taylor. Taylor died in October, 1912 and his wide sold the Robie House to Marshall Dodge Wilber in November 1912. "...the Wilbers loved the place and preserved everything as it was originally built. Commenting on the occasion when he accompanied the older Wright to dinner, he continued: "The old brown-stained furniture and woodwork was cleaned and polished. The soft autumn shade on the sand-finished wall panels had been maintained. The special light fixtures and leaded glass windows were clear and bright.. After we left, Dad said to me: 'You see John, that's an example of a house that has character, it grows more valuable as it grows older."' John Lloyd Wright, biography page 148. Wilber sold the house to the Chicago Theological Seminary on June 9, 1926. Acquired from the archives of the Chicago Daily News. Original 10 x 8 silver gelatin photograph. Published in “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House”, Hoffmann 1984, page 71. 0132.05.0310 1916 Robie House, Mrs. Wilber poses in the Living Room (1906 S.127) 1916. Hand written on verso: "Mrs. Marshall D. Wilber, wife of second (third) owner of Robie House, shown in house in 1916." Stamped on verso: "Sun Times, Jan 5 1963". Clipping on verso: "In 1916, the wife of the second owner of Robie House, Mrs. Marshall D. Wilber, posed in the home’s living room." 5.75 x 7.25 Print, High res image. From the archives of the Chicago Sun Times. 0132.09.0410 1916 Robie House. View from the Dining Room and South Aisle, toward the Living Room, 1916. Photograph printed circa mid 1960s on Agfa paper. Verso: “The Office of Public Relations, The University of Chicago”. Original silver gelatin photograph. 10 x 8. Published in “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House”, Hoffmann 1984, page 74, “The Robie House of Frank Lloyd Wright”, Connors 1984, page 31. 0132.04.0707 1916 Robie House, Dining Room (1906 S.127) 1916. Stamped on Verso: Feb 1963, Field Enterprises, Inc. Published in "Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House", Hoffmann 1984, page 71, "The Robie House of Frank Lloyd Wright", Connors 1984, page 33. Original 10 x 8 silver gelatin photograph. Acquired from the archives of the Chicago Daily News. 0132.06.0310 1916 Robie House, Jeannette Wilber standing in Hall (1906 S.127) 1916. Stamped on Verso: Feb 1963, Field Enterprises, Inc. Hand written: "Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House. Mrs. Jeannette Wilber Scofield shown in Robie House, 5757 S. Woodlawn, at age of 10, as Jeannette Wilber, photo made in 1916." Published in "Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House", Hoffmann 1984, page 62. 7.25 x 5.75 Print, High Res image. From the archives of the Chicago Daily News. 0132.07.0410 1916 Robie House, Jeannette in Rumpus Room (1906 S.127) 1916. Caption on Verso: "Early-Day Rumpus Room. Among dozens of innovations introduced by Frank Lloyd Wright is his Robie House, which he completed in Chicago in 1909 was this ground level family room, forerunner of today’s rumpus room. Playing with doll house (left) is Jeanette Wilber, whose family was third to occupy dwelling. Now Mrs. Jeanette Wilber Scofield, of Riverdale, California., she remembers it as a ‘beautiful house.’ Associated Press Photo, 2/6/63." Stamped on verso: "Feb 8 - 1963". Published in "Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House", Hoffmann 1984, page 56. 10.25 x 8 Print, High Res image. From the archives of the Associated Press. 0132.10.0410 1917 C1917 Dining Room, Taliesin II, circa 1917-19. This photograph was first published in "The Nature of Materials: 1887 - 1941, The Buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright" Hitchcock, 1942, plate 177. Hitchcock mistakenly dates this photograph at 1911 (pg xvi). One of the many items in the photograph is an Imperial Hotel Coffee Service. Very similar to a photograph published in "Architectural Record", October 1915, page 395, which was the very first published interior of Taliesin II. Also published in "Frank Lloyd Wright Monograph 1907-1913 Volume 3" ill 275 and dated 1911. Photographed by Henry Fuermann. 10 x 8 Print, High res digital image. (For further information see our Wright study.) 0138.04.1209 1918 1918 “Independence Day Dance. The Midway Garden. Music By Kelton’s Music Makers. Wed., July 3" In July of 1916 the name was changed to “Edelweiss Gardens” but in this poster it is still called “Midway Garden”. It was referred to by “Midway Garden” (singular). 2.75 x 4.5. 0139.03.0407 1919 1919 Wright at 52. Portrait of Wright facing slightly to the left. Published in "Frank Lloyd Wright Monograph 1914-1923 Volume 4", Pfeiffer, Futagawa, 1990, page 2. Courtesy of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. 8 x 10 Print, High res digital image. 0141.02.0709
