: National Trust for Historic Preservation President Richard Moe
and Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois (LPCI) President
David Bahlman announced on December 18 that ownership of the
historic Mies van der Rohe-designed Farnsworth House has been
officially transferred to the National Trust.
Both Moe and Bahlman expressed their appreciation to the many
people who showed exemplary leadership and generosity in making
this possible. They specifically acknowledged John Bryan,
chairman of the Friends of the Farnsworth House.
"This is a seminal moment in recognizing the importance of modern
architecture," said Moe. "Going into the auction we were very
unsure about what the outcome would be, but we couldn't be more
pleased with the results. We have been working to see this day
for almost a decade."
During the press conference, Moe and Bahlman announced that
future plans for the site include immediately granting an
easement to LPCI that will prohibit any inappropriate alterations
to the house and property, and undertaking a planning process to
open the house to the public as a house museum for tours in
spring 2004. The two groups also announced that they are seeking
up to $5 million to establish an endowment to help support this
site.
Acquisition of the Farnsworth House brings the number of historic
sites in the National Trust collection to 24. The property, one
of the most important pieces of modern architecture in the world
and the only house of its type in the nation to be opened to the
public, will be operated by LPCI under the guidance of the
National Trust.
"We are very excited to work with Kendall County residents and
civic leaders to ensure that this victory is also a win for the
community," said Bahlman. "We think that the Farnsworth House is
going to attract more visitors than ever, and the National Trust
and LPCI are interested in developing a strong relationship with
the community to promote economic development and attract
tourism."
The Farnsworth House is currently open by appointment for
technical, academic and media tours by calling Chris Robling at
312-658-0445.
Completed in 1951, this all-glass marvel of modern architecture
was originally built for its namesake, the late Dr Edith
Farnsworth who commissioned Ludwig Mies van der Rohe to design it
as a weekend retreat for her. Arguably one of the most
architecturally significant houses of the Twentieth Century, the
Farnsworth House is a luminous rectangular home overlooking the
Fox River just outside of Plano, about 60 miles southwest of
Chicago. The revolutionary house is only one of three Mies van
der Rohe residential designs in existence in the United States.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private,
nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the
irreplaceable. The Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois is
the state's leading voice for historic preservation. The
Chicago-based Friends of the Farnsworth House are individuals who
are dedicated to saving the international modernist masterpiece.
