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On Thursday, March 23rd, the Oakwood Historical Society will host a
fascinating presentation by Springfield, Ohio's Westcott House curator Marta
Wojcik. Ms. Wojcik's topic, "The Restoration of The Westcott House," will
provide an exciting opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of the
Westcott House, its renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, and the incredible
four year $5.3 million restoration effort that has just been completed.
The Westcott House, the product of arguably the most important architect of the
modern era, was designed, redesigned, and built between 1904 and 1908. The house
is probably more noted for what it has not been than for what it is. The
interior alterations made in the early 1940s – the conversion of the open floor
plan into a multi-unit apartment building –changed the architecture so
significantly that it no longer reflected the design intent of its architect. In
its prime, the Westcott House not only embodied Frank Lloyd Wright’s innovative
Prairie School architectural design, but also extended Wright’s concept of
relating the building to its site by means of a terrace, a pool, gardens, and
other landscape elements.
What is the importance of this house? Wright considered the Westcott House a
significant representation of his work. It was so significant that he included
it in Studies and Executed Buildings of Frank Lloyd
Wright, published by Ernst Wasmuth (Germany, 1910 and 1911).
For reasons unknown, the Westcott House has remained an undiscovered relic of
Wright, an altered architecture, a lost Wright artifact. Through the cooperative
efforts of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy and the Westcott House
Foundation, the Westcott House is now destined to be an important rediscovery, a
notable, newly unearthed and revitalized example of Wright’s legacy. The
Westcott House is a unique example of Prairie Style architecture and the
undeniable expression of America’s preeminent architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. If
you are interested in America’s architectural heritage, the works of Frank Lloyd
Wright, or are undertaking your own home restoration project, you won’t want to
miss this intriguing program.
The presentation will be held at The Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 155 E.
Thruston Ave. Social time begins at 6:30 P.M. with the lecture starting at 7:00
P.M.
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