Taliesin Preservation

I want to begin by appreciating how professional and dedicated the staff and volunteers at Taliesin are, and how beautiful the natural setting is. But, I’m afraid the compliments must stop there, just as I did from taking one of the tours offered. The visitors’ center reminded my why, while I’ve always found Wright’s work interesting, I’ve ultimately found it somewhat tiresome, and, having worked in one of his buildings — the Marin Cty. (CA) Civic Center — downright dysfunctional at times — like every time it rains. Of course, this is my personal opinion, but it was enough to convince me that the high price of taking the Taliesin Tour was not justified by what’s offered. In short, as with some of Wright’s work, the value for the product received was insufficient to justify the investment.

My partner and I participated in the four-​hour Estate Tour yesterday. Having visited several other Wright-​designed buildings, including a dozen visits to Fallingwater, we feel that Taliesin is in desperate need of preservation. We continue to appreciate Wright’s design aesthetic, but Taliesin, possibly because it was HIS home and not a commission, looks as if it were constructed by a high school shop class. Considering how poorly constructed Wright’s buildings are, it doesn’t make sense to have architectural students and residents still using the buildings IF your goal is to preserve them. My partner and I were disappointed to hear that a family with five sons was living in one of the buildings. A one– or two-​hour walking tour should be added for those who appreciate the architecture AND enjoy the pastoral setting. If you’ve seen a handful of Wright’s buildings, as we have, well, you’ve seen them all. I wouldn’t make a special trip to Taliesin. Instead, select one of his expertly preserved buildings.

For an FLK lover, this was very disappointing. The house has not been kept up to the level of other places we have toured… Taliesin West, Fallingwater, FLK Home & Studio etc. Our guide was passionate, but not well spoken… it was hard for her to get her thoughts out. On top of this, the tour was pricy… about $ 50 per person.

Visiting Taliesin was awe-​inspiring for me. Approaching the house, seeing the way it is set on the land as I approached it, I could barely contain my enthusiasm. Yeah, that’s how I get; giddy sometimes.
But really, seeing this beautiful home that Frank Lloyd Wright both designed and lived in was a perfect experience for me.
As the architecture nerd that I am, visiting houses, buildings and structures designed by architects or in architectural styles that I admire is just something I love to do. But I really believe the history and beauty are such that almost anyone would enjoy coming here.
A lot of my own sensibilites about design were influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and his «organic architecture».
I’ve always loved his determination to make sure the house fit naturally into its surroundings. I love his use of geometry and clean lines, the well thought out utility of the built-​ins and the incredible beauty that results not from fussy adornment but from simplicity.
Don’t be fooled however because to get things built the way FLW wanted them to be, this «simplicity» was usually a painstaking process.
His use of earth colors to enhance the total experience is brilliant.
Coming to Taliesin, you will see all these techniques at their best.
FLW is given credit for designing the first house to incorporate what we would now call «an open floor plan» which was really quite an unusual concept in its time.
As well, his style was to create harmony between the structure and the flow of nature outside so his homes almost looked practically a part of its surroundings.
FLW was a genius but a complicated, at times difficult man. We may not agree with the way he chose to live his life… he hurt many… but he was a man of great conviction and determination and one who refused to compromise on his unique vision. And as much as he may have caused suffering to some, he in turn accepted suffering rather than give in to ideas he didn’t believe in.
I was in awe of the beauty of Taliesin. Being there of course, far surpasses any photographs in a book although the photographs may light a fire under you to take a trip out to Spring Green Wisconsin.
Wright’s spirit still infuses this place and I found myself imagining him living, working and teaching here. The stories I’ve read about his life came alive moreso than other places of his that I’ve visited.
I knocked a star off because despite the good quality of the tour, the cost seems too high.
I’m not a «tour person» as a general rule but that’s the only way you can see Taliesin. And although we were fine, the terrain and the walk about the property could be a little too much for some as might be the lack of bathroom facilities.
There is little accommodation for the tourist here. You drive to the Visitor House where you pay the fee (and can buy FLW-​inspired items and repros too) and then get on a shuttle bus where you are herded over to Taliesin.
I understand why it has to be done this way but it’s not ideal. But don’t let this dissuade you; the tour, to its expensive credit, is very informative.
I would recommend reading a biography of FLW before you go. As detailed as some aspects of the tour are, your visit will be enhanced if you understand more about the man, what led to and what went into his building of Taliesin and the triumphs and tragedies that ensued.
This is a remarkably beautiful place, amidst the gorgeous, lush, rolling hills of Spring Green, in one of the most picturesque states of this country: Wisconsin.

This a wonderful place to learn about Frank Lloyd Wright. We were very impressed by the tour. How terribly sad that it can’t be open the whole year round. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in design and architecture

Taliesin East is a wonderful contrast to the Taliesin West location in Arizona. You have the green lush country side and rolling hills of WI contrasting to the hot, dry Arizona desert. It is easy to understand why Wright bounced between the two locations in alternating seasons — summer in Taliesin East, winter Taliesin West.
We have been touring FLW houses and buildings over the past decade. We plan trips around what FLW houses are the in area we can tour and since we took the «in-​depth /​behind-​the-​scenes» tour of Taliesin West about two years ago, all of this was fresh in our minds for this location.
Both locations remain active educational facilities for students pursuing master’s level degrees with an emphasis on FLW’s style of architecture. There were students actively working in the facility as we got to see some of the work areas FLW designed for his students.
The in-​depth tours fill quickly due to the limited capacity, so book these well in advance.
Our in-​depth tour started in the visitors center which is nicely outfitted with many FLW items to browse while you wait. Connected to the visitor’s center is a local restaurant which we ate at lunch at after the extended tour completed but the meal is is not included in the tour. The food was good and the service quite prompt. We did have to wait a few minutes as there was a rather large lunch crowd but that should be expected given the frequencies of the tours. BTW, the dessert menu was outstanding as they had run out of several items near the end of the lunch. I had rhubarb pie — tasty.
First, let me warn you about our experience on something which is beyond the control of the staff. However, it would have been good to know so you can be prepared.
TAKE REAL MOSQUITO REPELLENT WITH YOU!!!
I cannot emphasize this enough as you will be walking outside on the first phase of the tour and the bugs were hungry. It was a cloudy overcast day which had been preceded by lots of rain which created a bumper crop of hungry mosquitoes!!! You think how bad can they be — read on — jungle bad. When we first got off the bus at the grave site, the guide began to spray himself and after about 30 seconds, it was clear as for why — everyone was getting bit! It was also very kind of him to offer his spray to all of us unprotected folks who were easy targets for the hungry bugs. The bugs were also very distracting and until I got some repellent on me, I found myself swatting and bleeding more than I was listening to him and so was everyone else. Later as we were walking up the hill to the Romeo and Juliet Windmill, when we got to the top, the mosquitoes were so bad that everyone decided not to stop but to quickly proceed to the next location on the other side of the hill to escape the SWARMING mosquitoes. Needless to say, if the guide had not shared his bug spray, this would have been a miserable disaster of a tour and I would have needed a blood infusion. So heed my warning — bring your own repellent with you and keep it with you on the tour as you may need to respray yourself about every 30 mins when outside.
Be prepared as the visitor’s center sold umbrellas but not bug spay, at least not when we were there last week.
You might also want to check the weather as it was mixed. The tour has a few limited umbrellas, which were needed, but not enough for each guest and since you are walking outside for much of the tour, if it is raining (it was part of the time), you will need the coverage.
One more thing. Once the extended tour starts, which is about 4 hours, there is only 1 bathroom break about ½ way in at the theater building. While you need to stay hydrated in the summer heat, bear that in mind and the guide will remind you — pace yourself.
There are the standard restrictions on no interior photography once inside the buildings.
Now for the tour.
It was everything I expected from having seen the Taliesin West «in-​depth» tour. Our guide was very knowledge of the area, the site, the history, everything, along with stories recounting how one of the buildings was accidentally destroyed in a fire caused by Wright himself or that Mrs. Wright, not liking the white chickens on the farm yard conveyed to FLW that they looked like «tissue paper blowing about the yard…» for which he then changed them to the more colorful breeds.
My favorite part of this tour was the main house. It is easy to see the connections to the Taliesin West but with the eastern perspectives. In this case, FLW did «own the view» to the mountain tops and it has been well preserved with no visible encroachment. Kids were a big part of FLW life and he often changed his homes or made special rooms for them. We saw this in Oak Park as well as Taliesin East with the play rooms scaled smaller for his kids.
Overall, if you are a big FLW fan, then the in-​depth tour is another must see on your list of places to visit.
Enjoy.

The price has gone up! It is now $ 83 per person to tour. Just break the rules and drive through, sure you don’t get the same experience, but you can illegally take photos, unhindered by the tour guides. It is really beautiful, would have loved to see the inside.

Keep up the good work guys, the tours are great!
Super informative, and of course the building are amazing. We got to tour the Hill House and Taliesin, once Wright’s residence. There was so much to see, and man the day we were there was beautiful.
I was there at the beginning of the summer season, so it wasn’t too crowded, but our tour was full and we got some of the last spots. Definitely make reservations during the summer season, and go! You won’t regret it.

My father was a architect who was influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. I have been to Taliesin West which has the advantage of location in Scottsdale a wealthy city near Phoenix AZ so they have the money to keep up the buildings. Wright had a tendency to experiment on various designs and materials and you can see some of the phases of his styles.
It’s sad that some of the house and out buildings and in need of major work. The landscaping also in spots needs major work. Wright wanted views from some of his rooms and in his day would cut trees. Now trees and brush obscure views.
In summer it is best to make reservations as the tours can fill up fast, or yo will have a long wait for an opening.
Tours begin at the Visitor Center with houses a restaurant, book store and gift center. You can watch a video about Wright and some of his work.

I’m a big fan of Frank Lloyd Wright so I enjoy a visit here and all the tour options. There’s several based on the time you have and your interest level. If you’re there on a summer weekend you might want to book in advance. It fills up quick.
The tour is given by students here so they know every detail about the place. Sad thing is to see how it’s kind of falling apart, but they do their best to restore and keep the original feeling of it which is tough since he didn’t tend to make things too sound.
Even if your not a fan the beauty of this area is worth a stop to take a look.

Interesting educational experience. Set on a beautiful chunk of property near the Wisconsin River, there’s lots to learn at the Visitor Center and gift shop. I didn’t feel like springing the $ 50 for the tour of the Taliesin Center proper.

Taliesin is both the once home of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and the current home of an architecture school. Taking a tour here gives a pretty interesting peak inside of each. They do a nice job– do this instead of that trip to ‘House on the Rock’ down the road.