The Dana Thomas House

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Dana Thomas House 2011

Dana-Thomas HouseSpringfield, Illinois

Springfield's Dana-Thomas House is the best pre-served and most complete of Frank Lloyd Wright'searly "Prairie" houses. The structure has changed lit-tle since its construction in 1902-04 for Springfieldsocialite and women's activist Susan Lawrence Dana.More than one hundred pieces of original Wright-de-signed white oak furniture is still in place along withtwo hundred fifty art glass doors, windows, and lightpanels. Two hundred original light fixtures and sky-lights illuminate the interior. Original sculptures interra cotta by Richard W. Bock ornament thevestibule and reception hall, and the only surviving,original George Niedecken mural in any Wright housegraces the four dining room walls.

The Dana-Thomas House is typical of the Prairiestyle, which is characterized on the exterior by lowhorizontal roofs, wide overhanging eaves, and rows ofribbon art glass windows. A raised main living level,open floor plan, and centralized fireplace and hearthare common features of the interior.

ISSUE 1 VOLUME 1

"In 1902, Frank Lloyd Wright was commissioned toundertake the design and construction of a massiverenovation of the Lawrence family home in Spring-field, Illinois. The home was to be more than a mereresidence -- it was to be a showcase. Upon its com-pletion in 1904, the new edifice completely engulfedthe original home. It immediately became a symbol ofartistic and architectural excellence. It now stands asthe finest example of the creativity and uniquenesscharacteristic of the Prairie School of Architecture."From Governor James R. Thompson's ExecutiveOrder August 23, 1983.

Window in Dana Thomas House

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) is America's most fa-mous architect. He is known internationally as an in-novative designer and a founder of the Prairie Schoolof Architecture. Even after his death, the ranch stylehouse was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. He isknown for his careful attention to every detail of abuilding's design and was a perfectionist, hoping thathis clients allow him to detail both the exteriors andinteriors of their homes.

Wright was born in Wisconsin and spent much of hischildhood on the farms of his mother's family, wherehe grew to love the land. There he came to think ofarchitecture as being governed by the same rules thatgovern nature, with each part related to the other. Healso decided that buildings should be closely tied tothe soil and natural site on which they were built.

Educated in Wisconsin, Wright later moved toChicago and then to Oak Park, Illinois in the 1880s.He worked with Chicago architect Joseph Silsbee andlater with Louis Sullivan until he started his own in-dependent career in 1893. Wright's most famoushouse design was built in the woods of western Penn-sylvania in 1936. Named Fallingwater, the Kaufmanhouse is a dramatically cantilevered home built overa waterfall. The structure is built using native rein-forced concrete, limestone, and glass. In all, FrankLloyd Wright is responsible for over 400 buildings in36 states and in Japan. Wright also founded TaliesinEast (near Spring Green, WI) and Taliesin West(Scottsdale, AZ), homes and educational facilities toaspiring architects that combined the practice of ar-chitecture with education and a design ethic that per-meated the lives of his students. It was at TaliesinWest that Wright met and hired Pedro Guerrero, whobecame his photographer for the next 20 years.

Frank Lloyd Wright 1876

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often are tours given?Tours start as they fill. The average wait time for atour to begin is ten minutes.2. What is the cost?There is a suggested donation of $3 for adults and $1for children.3. What are the hours?The site is open 9 AM until 4 PM Wednesday throughSunday each week. Closed on some holidays, pleasecall in advance (217) 782-6776 to inquire. Please notethat the last tour begins with a video at approxi-mately 3:45 PM.4. How long does the tour last?The walking tour lasts about an hour. There is aseven minute video prior to the walking tour. Pleaseplan 1.5 hours in your schedule for your total visita-tion time.5. Is there parking at the site?Parking is available in the site lot off of Cook Streetjust west of the YMCA building. Drive west past theY, over the railroad tracks and turn left into our lot.Parking is free.6. Can I contact the site directly?The site is staffed seven days per week except holi-days. The number is (217) 782-6776For any other questions please call the site at (217)782-6776.

Beginning Photos of Dana Thomas House

The Dana-Thomas House301 East LawrenceSpringfield, Illinois