Wright's Taliesin & Rock House - West of Madison, WI

A day of exploring the local "architects" work! 

Taliesin - home and design studio of architect Frank Lloyd Wright is located 2.5 miles south of Spring Green, WI.  The property was developed on land that originally belonged to Wright's maternal family. The land was settled by Wright's maternal grandfather, Richard Lloyd Jones in 1858 for farming. By the 1870s, Richard's sons had taken over operation of the farm, and they invited Wright to work during summers as a farmhand.   He loved the relaxing and inspiring country side.  Wright's aunts Jennie and Nell began a co-educational school, Hillside Home School, in the family valley in 1887 and let Wright design the building; this was Wright's first independent commission. In 1896, Wright's aunts again commissioned Wright, this time to build a windmill.

Taliesin I was completed in 1911, 2 major remodels were completed after fires.  Such famous Wright’s design were done at this location i.e. Fallingwater, Johnson Wax Headquarters & many others. Mr. Wright had money problems and at least 3 known wives, with many female acquaintances! Wright used this house to test his designs; the student’s would do the labor.  You can see many of the construction imperfections throughout the house.  

Today his architectural school still operates on the property during the fair weather months; they go to Scottsdale in the winter.

Please note: NO interior pictures were allowed in any of the buildings.

Visitor Center designed by Wright

Part of the Architectural School

School with skylights - front

Back

Just one of his many Oriental pieces. 

The windmill, everyone said it would not handle the winds.  Well it is still standing today.

Wright like to bring nature into his designs, here the roof is allowed to go around the tree.

The house - located on the hill overlooking the valley below

He incorporated a viewing walk so his wife could see her gardens and the valley.

Gardens

View of the house from the main highway

Barn that was located next to the house

The next stop in the same area was the House on the Rock.  

In 1945, Alex Jordan climbed a rock and his imagination never stopped!  Built on top of a 60 ft. rock shows off Alex's imagination and desire to make a show piece.  Rooms are filled with eclectic collections.  

Distant view of the cantilevered "Infinity Room"

Beautiful Gardens

He had a Carousel collection of unique animals 

Dining Room with table built into the wall

Small hallways and low ceilings!!

Infinity Room

Looking down from the Infinity Room

Numerous musical instruments playing and on display throughout the house. 

Guess when you have $$$ you can use your imagination and just keep spending.

Madison, WI

Madison, WI - Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Thai Sala - only one of its kind in North America.  A gift from the Thai Chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association in 2001.   It is embellished with gold. 

Gardens were OK, we have seen better ones!

  

Wisconsin State Capital - they spared little when they built this capital.  The current capital was built 1906 - 1917 for $7.25 million.  It has 43 varieties of stone from 6 countries and 8 states.  The building is 284.4 ft. tall, 16 ft. 2 in. taller than the U.S. Capital. It has the one of the largest dome, by volume, in the world.   

Building has 4 wings that span North / South & East / West with entrances at each intersection. 

Beautiful Statues decorate the interior, wow this one looks like Cheryl!

Painting at the top of the dome, 34 ft dia. and 200 ft. above the ground floor.

The Governor's Conference Room - styled after the small council chambers of the Doge's Palace in Venice. French Walnut furniture with the walls and ceiling decorated with historical paintings.

The Badger!!  This bronze statue was mounted on the 1st USS Wisconsin battleship in 1901.  Sailors would rub its nose for good luck and they ask everyone passing through to rub its nose for good luck.

Murals in the Assembly chambers with stain glass ceilings.

If you look closely center of picture, below border, you can see a fossil in the stone wall.  There are several of these in the stone throughout the building.

An example of how the split the stone and was able to match the pattern.

Senate Chamber - Notice the Eagle mounted in the center.  "Old Abe" served with the 8th WI Regiment during the Civil War, he was their mascot.  He was carried into battle on a perch along with the flag.  He survived the war and received numerous honors. 

Looking from the dome to Lake Mendota

Statues on top above the dome wall way.

Hahl Automatic Pneumatic Clock - purchased in 1909 for $125 this clock controlled 170 secondary clocks within the capital building.  A puff of air was released every minute, through piping, to all the clocks advancing their hands by a minute.  Everyone had the same time, no excuse for being late to a meeting!

Governor's Executive Residence - Was able to tour the 1st floor.  Governor and family only stays here when needed.  House sets on Lake Mendota and has served as the Governor's Executive residence since 1949.  It's only 16,000 sq.ft. 34 rooms, 13 bathrooms & 7 bedrooms. It is used mainly to entertain special guests and dignitaries.

Special hand painted wall paper in the dining room.

The setting room

The Library.

"Backyard"

As you can see the landscaping is very beautifully maintained!