Wednesday, July 13 – We drove up to the Florence, AL area today to do some sightseeing at two locations. First stop was the Rosenbaum House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
You actually enter from the back of the home…very different. 
It is the only Wright-designed structure in the state of Alabama and has been called one of the purest examples of Wright's Usonian design. Wright’s Usonian style (named for the United State of America) was offered as a low-cost home for middle income families.
The house was build in 1939 for Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum, who were the sole owners and occupants of the house until 1999. It is now owned by the city of Florence and has been restored to it's original beauty, and is operated as a museum.
Front of home.
The house is constructed of cypress, glass and brick. The flat roofs and large overhanging eaves, the expanses of glass and the flowing space are all hallmarks of the Usonian style and are found in this house.
Main room. Windows were a big part of Wright's homes.
The eating area was so unique. The table is built in. Dad sat at the head, then the four boys, and mom sat back in the corner. That made her closer to the kitchen.
Typical of many of Wright's projects, the house also includes furnishings designed by the architect. His choice of wood was plywood…very interesting.
The house originally contained 1,540 square feet, but when the Rosenbaum household grew to include four sons, the family called upon Wright to design an addition. In 1948, 1,084 square feet was added, containing a larger work space (kitchen), a guest bedroom, storage space and a dormitory for the boys.
Hallway to addition. All the hallways were very narrow.
Look how narrow the doorways are.
Yes, you read correctly…boy's dormitory. They actually slept in these bunkbeds until they went away to boarding school around age 14.
The front yard, which we thought was the backyard, is lovely.
The every room has an entrance out to the garden.
We were fortunate to have the Museum Director as our tour guide. She was a personal friend of Mildred Rosenbaum and was very knowledgeable about the family and the home. The tour lasted about 40 minutes and only cost $5. It was an exciting tour, and one we would recommend.
We had another fun happy hour. We sit outside in front of the MH's and everyone circles around…..no campfire though….LOL. Everyone brings something different each night to share. Marsha is getting a lot of new recipes. YUM!
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!
Wright homes often have something of an RV feel to me-- he was so fond of built in furniture. :)
ReplyDeleteWright homes are so interesting. You won't want to miss Fallingwater in Ohiopyle, PA if you ever have the chance. Built for the Kaufmann's, I think it is one of his most unique because of how it is built to be part of the environment using the natural resources like the existing stone on a hillside as the fireplace hearth in living room.
ReplyDeleteWe will be near FLW's home, Taliesen, in a week or so, but at $47 for the house tour or $80 for the estate tour, we've decided to pass. LOL
What an interesting looking house. Not sure I would like it as a house but still neat to look at. I love the wood.
ReplyDeleteKevin and Ruth
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
What an interesting looking house. Not sure I would like it as a house but still neat to look at. I love the wood.
ReplyDeleteKevin and Ruth
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com