Archive for January, 2009
A Visit from Judson University Students
I had forgotten how lively it can be here until yesterday, when we made special arrangements for a group of second year architecture students from Judson University to visit. They were curious and engaged, some were actually difficult to pry off the site after their two-and-a-half-hour stay. Despite the snow and cold weather they spent a great deal of time outside the house taking photos. I caught one student writing I heart Farnsworth in the snow. It’s always great to have visitors who remind us why we work so hard to protect and preserve this architecture. This group will be challenged with a daunting task upon their return to class today. They must design an addition for the Farnsworth House. I will be curious to attend their annual presentation to see the ideas that emerged.
We are finalizing a promotion to encourage the student population to visit this year. If you are a student or a professor, encourage the trip. We hosted about 30 different university groups last year and we think, Chicago being the great architectural mecca that it is, we should be sharing it with many more. The majority of the visitors here leave with a similar exclamation, that the house must be seen to be appreciated.
Whitney French
Farnsworth House Site Director
January 15 Lecture
For those of you living in Chicago and having plans to be in Chicago on Thursday, January 15, I will be speaking at the Chicago Cultural Center in the Claudia Cassidy Theater on the second floor from 12:15 to 1 p.m. as part of Landmarks Illinois monthly Snapshots Lecture Series. This lecture is free and open to the public, so please make plans to join us.
The title of my talk is “Farnsworth House: Rising Water & Preservation.” Very timely given the rash of flooding we’ve experienced this past year. The bulk of my talk will be an overview of the history of floods at the house, a detailed timeline of events during the 2008 flood, and what we’re doing to tackle the ongoing issue of flood mitigation.
I hope to see you at the Chicago Cultural Center tomorrow!
Whitney French
Farnsworth House Site Director
