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.
