In my quest to learn about Frank Lloyd Wright as a man and an architect, I traveled from Chicago and Oak Park, Illinois, (Part 2) to the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail in Wisconsin from Madison and Spring Green. The Frank Lloyd Wright Trail offers architecture enthusiasts a 200-mile self-guided journey through southern Wisconsin.
This driving route showcases nine important sites associated with the legendary architect, from his birthplace to some of his most celebrated works.
The Taliesin East main house courtyard (Photo by Julie Diebolt Price)
The Frank Lloyd Wright Trail in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Frank Lloyd Wright Trail winds through nine counties, starting at the Illinois-Wisconsin border in Kenosha County and extending northwest to Richland County. Travelers begin on Interstate 94, pass through Madison, and reach Wright’s residence, Taliesin, in Wisconsin’s southwest region. Marked highway signs guide visitors to each significant stop.
On our site: Read Part 1 of this series, Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West, Scottsdale.
On our site: Read Part 2 of this series, Frank Lloyd Wright in Chicago and Oak Park.
The ceiling of the Unitarian Meeting Hall worship worship space, or sanctuary
The Road Leads to Madison and Spring Green, Wisconsin
Frank Lloyd Wright Trail
The Frank Lloyd Wright Trail offers architecture enthusiasts a 200-mile self-guided journey through southern Wisconsin. This driving route showcases nine important sites associated with the legendary architect, from his birthplace to some of his most celebrated works.
The trail winds through nine counties, starting at the Illinois-Wisconsin border in Kenosha County and extending northwest to Richland County. Travelers begin on Interstate 94, pass through Madison, and reach Wright’s residence, Taliesin, in Wisconsin’s southwest region.
Marked highway signs guide visitors to each significant stop.
The Taliesin East midway barn driveway (Photo by Julie Diebolt Price)
Madison, Wisconsin
Monona Terrace
Located on the shore of Lake Monona, the building was first proposed as a convention center in 1938. The project finally went forward in 1992, with the exterior designed by Wright and the interior based upon a design by Taliesin architect Tony Puttnam.
Today, Monona Terrace is home to conventions, private, and civic events with its stunning views of the lake, skyline, and state capitol dome.
The Unitarian meeting house sanctuary (Photo by Julie Diebolt Price)
Unitarian Meeting House
While I arrived too late for the scheduled tour of the Unitarian Meeting House, I did stroll the grounds and the worship space in the historic building. In true Wright fashion, the varying ceiling heights evoked a sense of compression and expansion as I moved from room to room. The short entryways exploded into the expanse of the worship space, and I could feel the layout would build a sense of community with all the members.
The Unitarian Meeting House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2004. It is one of Madison’s best-known and most visited Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. The First Unitarian Society is an active religious organization, and tours of the building fit into the church schedule.
The church is close to the University of Wisconsin, across from the American Family Children’s Hospital in Scenic Shorewood Hills.
The Unitarian Meeting House building addition (Photo by Julie Diebolt Price)
Spring Green, Wisconsin
Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor’s Center and Taliesin Estate
Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor’s Center, Taliesin Estate, and Unity Chapel are in the beautiful rolling hills of Spring Green, Wisconsin, about one hour west of Madison.
The Visitor’s Center overlooks the Wisconsin River and has a gift shop and the Riverview Terrace Café. All tours and events start here.
The Taliesin East Visitor Center (Photo by Julie Diebolt Price)
The Tours
From April through November, Taliesin Preservation offers guided tours of the Taliesin Estate, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Several tours cater to varying time, energy, and accessibility needs. They are:
- Introductory House Tour – 1 hour 15 minutes. A shuttle takes guests to Taliesin, where key spaces are presented, such as the courtyards, Drafting Studio, Living Room, Loggia, Wright’s bedroom, and artwork and furnishings collections.
- In-Depth House Tour – 2 hours. Guests experience the landscape grounds, furnishings, collected objects, the building design, and explore the longest ongoing project of Wright’s career.
- Highlights Tour – 2 hours 15 minutes. A shuttle takes guests to the Taliesin property and includes interior tours of Hillside and Taliesin. Like the Estate Tour, the Highlights tour eliminates the 1.5-mile walk and accomplishes the tour in half the time.
- Estate Tour – 4 hours. A shuttle takes guests to the Taliesin property, where guests visit the Hillside School, Assembly Hall, Fellowship Dining Room, Drafting Studio, and Hillside Theater; a walk past the Romeo and Juliet Windmill Tower; a close-up look at Tan-y-Deri, the home Wright built for his sister; a walk past the Midway Barn; and an in-depth tour of the Taliesin exterior and interior. Light refreshments are served on the terrace.
- Accessible Tour – a customized private tour that helps avoid long periods of standing, stair climbing without handrails, and walking on uneven terrain.
- Private Tour – available on request, tailored to your interests and questions.
The Taliesin East Monument (Photo by Julie Diebolt Price)
I chose the Estate Tour, and we were blessed with perfect weather, sunny skies, and comfortable temps. The pace was leisurely, even though our tour group was large. Our guide was experienced and knowledgeable and answered all our questions in detail.
The Taliesin East midway barn (Photo by Julie Diebolt Price)
Hillside Theater
The Hillside Theater was under renovation when I visited in the fall of 2022. After four years, they now have shows scheduled for this summer and fall (2024).
At Taliesin Fellowship, being an architect wasn’t just about drawing buildings. It meant doing many creative things, like growing food and playing music. The theater was where everyone came together to put on shows and perform, showing off all the different things they were good at and enjoyed doing.
In the evenings, everyone would gather to watch movies, stage performances, or immersive art experiences.
Today, the Hillside Theater is where creativity thrives and preserves the cultural heritage.
Unity Chapel
Unity Chapel is Frank Lloyd Wright’s earliest work. Wright’s uncle and Unitarian minister, Jenkin Lloyd Jones, commissioned the shingle-style chapel, which was completed in 1886. Joseph Lyman Silsbee of Chicago was the architect, but Wright designed the interior when he was 18 years old. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
The front gate of the Unity Chapel (Photo by Julie Diebolt Price)
The family cemetery outside the Unity Chapel includes the Lloyd Jones family’s sites and Wright’s original plot. Wright’s remains were moved from the Wisconsin grave to Taliesin West, creating strife among the family members, students, and associates. Wright’s widow, Olgivanna Lloyd Wright’s dying wish was to have Wright’s ashes interred with hers at the winter headquarters of Taliesin West. It was done in 1985.
Anne Baxter, Wright’s granddaughter, is buried in the family cemetery. Baxter was a Hollywood movie, television, and Broadway star. I searched for the marker but was unable to find it.
The Frank Lloyd Wright headstone and marker (Photo by Julie Diebolt Price)
Wyoming Valley School
Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Wyoming Valley School in 1956. It was a small elementary school three miles from Taliesin. Wright donated it in honor of his mother, Anna. Tours are available.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright – The Man
One of the most influential architects of the 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), was a pioneer in American architecture, an educator, writer, and interior designer.
Frank Lloyd Wright was known for his charismatic yet often controversial personality. He was confident, sometimes to the point of arrogance, and had a reputation for being difficult to work with. Despite personal scandals and financial troubles, his passion for architecture and unwavering belief in his vision drove him to create a vast body of work over his seven-decade career.
Frank Lloyd Wright – The Architect
Wright’s American style of architecture broke away from European traditions. He emphasized the harmony between human habitation and the natural environment that he called “organic architecture.”
Critical aspects of Wright’s architectural style include:
- Integration with nature: He often designed buildings to blend with their surroundings.
- Open floor plans: Wright pioneered the concept of flowing, interconnected interior spaces.
- Horizontal lines: Many of his designs emphasized horizontal rather than vertical elements.
- Use of natural materials: He frequently incorporated wood and stone in his designs.
- Attention to detail: Wright often designed every aspect of his buildings, including furniture, decorations, and even dinnerware.
Wright’s influence extends far beyond individual buildings. He developed the concept of the “Usonian” home, aimed at creating affordable, beautiful middle-class housing. His work also significantly impacted the Prairie School movement and the development of modernist architecture.
Final Thoughts
Frank Lloyd Wright was a determined and driven man. Wright was a force to be reckoned with, opinionated, outspoken, and contentious about politics, architecture, and lifestyle. His legacy will not be forgotten.
The Frank Lloyd Wright burial plot (Photo by Julie Diebolt Price)
For More:
- Frank Lloyd Wright.org
- Part 1 of this series: Get to Know Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West, Scottsdale
- Part 2 of this series: Frank Lloyd Wright in Chicago and Oak Park
- Visit Arizona, Arizona tourism bureau
- On our site: Arizona’s Saguaro Lake: Water, Cactus and Mountain Views
- Also on our site: Arizona Getaways on a Shoestring Budget
- On our site: Straight Outa Old Town Scottsdale
-All photos courtesy of and copyrighted by Julie Diebolt Price, except as indicated. Cover photo by Julie Diebolt Price, depicting the street view of the Unitarian Meeting Hall.
