The Progressive City: Wright & His Chicago Contemporaries

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In person & Virtual

Chicago, IL
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The Progressive City is the Conservancy’s third Chicago conference, the first there in fifteen years. Chicago around 1900 was a laboratory of progressive reforms addressing widespread social inequality, public health crises, and lack of access to education, nature and affordable housing. Education sessions will focus on the efforts of Wright, his peers and collaborators to improve the city through innovations in architecture, urban planning, parks, public health, education, social services, and housing. We will revisit must-see favorites from our past tours including Unity Temple and the Frederick C. Robie House (both a part of The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright World Heritage inscription and restored since our last visit), as well as the Bradley House, The Rookery, Wright’s Oak Park Home & Studio, the Coonley Estate, Emil Bach House, and more.

We will also have the opportunity to visit homes never before toured during in-person Conservancy events: the Jessie and William Adams House, Foster House, Baker House, Kathryn and Lloyd Lewis House, and others. Evening events will provide fellowship, support the Conservancy’s mission, and celebrate the recipients of the 2022 Wright Spirit Awards. The Conservancy’s Annual Meeting will take place on the morning of Saturday, October 22.

The online conference experience includes interactive live-streaming of education sessions with Wright scholars, and Wright Spirit Award celebration recognizing the efforts of extraordinary individuals and organizations to preserve Wright’s legacy. Two special online-only events will delve into preservation advocacy for and restoration of Wright buildings in the Chicago area, featuring video vignettes of four buildings that in-person attendees are touring. Online attendees will have access to watch the Unity Temple restoration documentary on demand for a limited time. All other conference recordings will remain available to stream on demand for three months. AIA credit has been approved for online live-stream attendees of most events.

We hope you will join us in Chicago – or online!

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