WIP

Cedar Rock: Lowell & Agnes Walter Residence

I have been fortunate to have explored, driven past, worshiped in, visited with 2 original owners of 48 Frank Lloyd Wright structures. Naturally, I took pictures of them all.

The Walter Residence, S.284, was the very first FLW designed home that I visited. For many years I had driven past the sign saying "Cedar Rock, Frank Lloyd Wright" but didn't really know what that was. When I finally took the time to check it out I was well rewarded! That was 5 years ago though and the pictures I took were on film. Today was a perfect spring day and I felt that that was a sign to visit once again. I took the tour and took interior pictures of all the rooms as well as the outside pictures I have posted. You will have to see for yourself the amazing inside of the home because pictures really don't do it justice. The staff is knowable and approachable. Not at all stuffy. After all...this is IOWA!

The original gate, S.284B (1945), to the Walters summer home.
The approach
The entry way.
One of 22 Cherokee Red Signature Tiles.
These plants are descendants of the original plants picked out by Mr. Wright.
Fantastic view of the Wapsipinicon River from the Garden Room.
Looking south east.
Looking south west.
Looking in at the peaceful Garden Room
Details: I like the downspout system.
The lighting looks familiar. What is that shape from?
Beautiful detail throughout in the masonry.
Council Fire, S.284A (1945), just north of the house. Seats 20 for a cozy fire.
I like this lighting.
The over all view of the Council Fire.


Springtime looks very well for Cedar Rock.
The north side of the house.
Mrs. Walters garden has been lovingly restored
to how she had it.
Looking north back at the house while on my way down to the River Pavilion, S. 285 (1948).


The Walters could sit and relax at the rivers edge.
These are wonderful models made by
Iowa State University architecture students.

So if you are headed east or west on Highway 20 in Iowa and see the sign...stop off and look around Cedar Rock. You will love the warmth of the home with its polished woodwork, the ingenuity of the design and details and most of all, the peacefulness of the setting.

Get out and take plenty of pictures of where ever you go.
-Kim

Old Capitol, Iowa City, Iowa

I have driven by or visited Old Capitol most of my life as my parents are from Iowa City and we visited fairly often. We did not have a chance to get up to the Senate and House chambers this weekend.

The corner stone was laid *July 4th 1840 before Iowa was an official state. December 29, 1846 we became the 29th state. The capitol moved to Des Moines in 1857. The large rocks are engraved with various class years.

The cupola was rebuilt after the fire in 2001.
The front yard, known as the Pentacrest, has lost allot of trees over the years.
The Supreme Court Chamber had room for 3 judges.
Territorial and State Library once held 1,500 books organized by the Parvin's cataloging system. I'm not sure what that means exactly. But I will ask around.
The library was not open to the public.
Treasurer's Office complete with safe.
Governor's Office
Old Capitol Staircase is a beautiful reverse spiral with very graceful lines.
The top step ends directly over the beginning step. I love this as it seems so left handed.
This is a 1850's reproduction chandelier that weighs about 110 pounds. My mother said that she and my dad cleaned all three chandeliers very carefully one prism at a time. The lived in Iowa City until 1960. They worked for the University.

This is my favorite photo of the weekend.

*Source: Facing East and Facing West Iowa's Old Capitol Museum
Text by: Linzee Kull McCray.
Published by the University of Iowa Press, 2007.
Of course the photos are my own.

Let your pictures tell the story.
Kim

"Loving Frank".. I loved it!

I finished it. I loved it. I could hardly put it down. I am talking about "Loving Frank," by Nancy Horan.

Writing though Mamah Cheney's point of view was an excellent choice. One could see Mr. Wright in a different light as well learn about Mamah's intellectual achievements were and feel what Mamah's inner struggles, her joys and total sacrifices really were.

Mr. Wright seems the type that is certainly captivating and charismatic and had the ability to sweep anyone around him off their feet. One would be willing to do anything at any price if you were in the right mind set. That is what Mamah did. I was captivated as I read about her inner struggle of separation with her children, trying to rationalize, arguing with herself and then finally seeing what did the relationship cost her, her family, sister, friends and of course her children.

Her book let me wanting to know more. What does the monograph look like or the photo book that he worked on for Wasmuth? What did happen to Mamah's sister? What did Anna Wright do when the tragedy occurred? Did she really have a friend named Mattie?

I liked how she used parts of My Father, Frank Lloyd Wright, by John Wright almost word for word. How his father and Ed Cheney were on the same train to Taliesin after the fire. (I caught the mistake that John had written that Mamah had 2 daughters instead of a daughter and a son. I cross read both books.) I liked how Ms. Horan describes a photo being taken of the working men at Taliesin (pg. 233). I saw the photo on the Wisconsin Historical Society website.

Following are photos that I have taken. They kind of go with the book. I regret that I didn't take a picture of the Cheney home. Next time I go to Oak Park I will do just that. I have used the William Storrer numbering system to identify the houses.

S.074 Aurthur & Grace Heurtly Residence (1902) This is the house that the Cheney house was based on.
Name plate on his studio.

S.004 Frank Lloyd Wright Studio (1897)


S.002 Oak Park Residence (1889)
Valley of the Lloyd Joneses
S.218 Taliesin III (1925) It is easy to see why the name Taliesin, "shining brow" was chosen.
Of the hill..is a most descriptive term.
I put this picture in so that one can see the setting of Taliesin I.
S.134 Andrew Porter Residence, Tanyderi (1907) Meaning under the oaks. Build for his sister Jane and her husband Andrew. This isn't too far from Taliesin.
S.037A Romeo & Juliet II (1938) Rebuilt 1992

I only wish that I were the one to run up the hill. Then I would have seen the view of the valley from Taliesin. It really helped that I have been to Oak Park and Taliesin so I could visualize the settings in the book.

Here are a couple sites that I think are very interesting.


Loving Frank, By Nancy Horan published by Random House

Mr. Storrer's site

Background of Frank and Catherine Wright's marriage

Find Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings

I highly recommend this book. I recommend seeing for yourself whatever Wright buildings that you may come across in your travels. I love the personal discovery of seeing new houses with my own eyes. Reading and researching help make everything come together.
-Kim