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faq's
What is Taliesin?
Taliesin was the home of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He first designed the home for himself in 1911. From that time until his death in 1959, Wright continuously changed the home and the surrounding landscape, which included buildings that he had designed for his family.
At the time of Frank Lloyd Wright's death, "Taliesin" referred to: the home; the 600-acre estate; and 4 other Frank Lloyd Wright-designed structures.
This link will take you to a gallery of archival photographs of Taliesin.
Where is Taliesin?
Taliesin is located in Spring Green, Wisconsin in the southwestern part of the state.
What is Taliesin® Preservation, Inc. (TPI)?
TPI is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization in Wisconsin founded upon the recommendations of a commission in 1988 under Tommy Thompson, then the governor of Wisconsin.
How long has TPI existed?
TPI was founded in 1991.
What is TPI’s mission?
TPI works to preserve the Taliesin Estate in Spring Green, Wisconsin as an eminent example of the vision of Frank Lloyd Wright and to educate the public about the history and importance of Taliesin and Wright. The Taliesin Estate includes 600 acres and five Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings.
TPI owns and operates the Frank Lloyd Wright® Visitor Center, offering public access to and education of the Taliesin Estate; conducts the preservation program designed to maintain and restore Taliesin’s built environment and landscape; and oversees the onsite organization and care of the building collections and furniture.
Where does TPI get its funding?
TPI obtains funding through its retail program, including:
And through the financial assistance of public and private donors, and written grants.
What is the Frank Lloyd Wright® Visitor Center?
In 1953, Wright designed a building adjacent to the Taliesin Estate, which he called the “gateway.” The building overlooked the Wisconsin River and included a restaurant and a meeting room for potential clients. While the architect began construction on the building in 1953, he was unable to complete it before his death in 1959. Former apprentices completed the building in 1967 and it operated as an independent restaurant, The Spring Green, for 25 years.
In 1993, TPI purchased The Spring Green in order to convert it into a visitor center, with a bookstore and tour program. The building was renovated in 1993 and the next year saw the first full season of tours from the building.
The visitor center houses the Taliesin Bookstore, the Riverview Terrace café, and is the departure point for all tours of the Taliesin Estate. It is free and open to the public from May 1-October 31, and on the weekends in November and April. It also houses offices for TPI tours administration, TPI preservation planning and research, and landscape management.
How is TPI related to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation?
TPI works with, but is not a part of, the foundation. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation owns Frank Lloyd Wright’s two estates (in Spring Green, Wisconsin and Scottsdale, Arizona) and operates the Wisconsin estate seasonally, with a core number of year-round staff and residents. TPI owns and operates the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center adjacent to the Taliesin Estate; and owns a public easement to the estate.
How does the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation assist in the preservation of Taliesin in Wisconsin?
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation assists TPI in research regarding the buildings on the Taliesin Estate, its on-site collections, and with decisions regarding landscape maintenance. TPI and the foundation share a maintenance agreement of the estate for non-preservation related activities. Additionally, some preservation work during the summer is carried out with assistance from apprentices in the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture.
Isn't there another Taliesin?
Yes there is: Taliesin West, in Scottsdale, Arizona, another Frank Lloyd Wright structure.
Wright designed Taliesin West as his winter home beginning in 1937. Following this, he would spend the winters in Arizona and the summers in Wisconsin, and would make changes every year upon his return to the two sites.
Tours are also conducted at Taliesin West. Information about tours is available through the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation website.
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