America 250

As America marks its 250th, Taliesin Preservation and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation continue to explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s ideas about architecture and American society.

Wright practiced architecture during a time of tremendous change in American society: the industrial revolution, urbanization, global economic expansion, scientific and technological advancement, and a host of social and political shifts that accompanied modernization. Wright believed that architecture could improve people’s lives, and he dedicated his practice to designing buildings, cities, and landscapes that responded to the cultural shifts redefining American life. He designed systems for affordable housing so that everyday Americans could live in beautiful and functional homes; he reimagined the workplace, bringing light and openness to the modern office; he proposed new kinds of cities and urban designs that would alleviate congestion and pollution; and he engaged the landscape in ways that integrated architecture and nature into an organic whole.

In the summer of 2026, we will continue to examine the work of Wright, whose principles of organic architecture helped shape the nation’s built environment and offer valuable lessons for our contemporary moment, as we continue to grapple with issues related to housing, livable cities, sustainability, social inequity, and more. 

From August-October 2026, Taliesin Preservation will offer four public lectures by nationally recognized scholars. This series will examine some of the American people, places, and ideas that shaped Wright’s architectural practice and consider his ongoing relevance in the 21st century. The speaker series will take place at the Hillside Theater at Taliesin, an intimate performance space originally used by Wright and his community of apprentices for film screenings, concerts, recitals, plays, and dances.