Frank Lloyd Wright Papers

Collection

Identifier: RG 30-146

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers consist mainly of 6 letters by Wright and ten by his secretary, 2 telegrams by Wright, 8 blueprints for the house and 2 blueprints for chairs (see the Architectural Records Collection, RG 53, for the blueprints). Filed with them are copies of published articles that describe Wright's ideas and the building of the house plus its restoration by Miss Ellen Johnson and donation to Oberlin College. There is also a copy of a letter written by Kristen Weltzheimer in 1985 in which she gives her recollections of growing up in the house. [For details about this house see Kenneth W. Severens, "A Frank Lloyd Wright House in Oberlin," Allen Memorial Art Museum Bulletin, XXIX (Winter, 1972), 90‑105.]

Also included are photocopies of letters, primarily of Charles E. and Margaret B. Weltzheimer to Frank Lloyd Wright, 1947-49, 1951, and 1953. Mary Ann Hunsicker, daughter of Charles and Margaret Weltzheimer, wrote one letter to Frank Lloyd Wright. The Weltzheimers also wrote to Eugene Masselink (Wellington, Ohio). The letters concern the planning and construction of the Weltzheimer house by Wright in Oberlin, Ohio (1950).

Dates

Creation: 1947 - 1985
Other: Date acquired: 06/18/1981

Creator

Wright, Frank Lloyd, 1867-1959 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Restrictions noted on the inventory.

Biographical Sketch

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867‑1959) is one of America's most famous architects. Wright's career spanned seven decades and several architectural styles, including, most famously, Prairie Style and Usonian.

Wright was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin to William Carey Wright (1825-1904) and Anna Lloyd Jones Wright (1838-1923). He had two younger sisters, Jane (1869-1953) and Maginel (1880-1966) His parents moved the family frequently during prior to their 1885 divorce. In 1887, Wright moved to Chicago to begin work as an architect. In 1889, he married Catherine "Kitty" Tobin (1871-1959) and, although they divorced in 1922, they had 6 children: Frank Lloyd Jr (1890-1978), John Lloyd (1892-1972), Catherine Wright (1894-1979), David Samuel (1895-1997), Frances Wright (1898-1959), and Robert Llewellyn (1903-1986). In 1923, he married Maude "Miriam" Noel (1869-1930), although they divorced in 1927. In 1928, he married Olga Ivanovna "Olfivanna" Lazovich (1898-1985). With her, he had one biological daughter, Iovanna Lloyd (1925-2015), and an adopted daughter, Svetlanna (1918-1946).

In 1947, Wright was approached by Mrs. Charles Weltzheimer to design a house to be constructed in Oberlin (now 127 Woodhaven Drive). The house, completed by 1950, has been restored as much as possible to appear as it did originally.

Note written by Roland M. Baumann; revised by Emily Rebmann.

For more information about Frank LLoyd Wright, see his biography compiled by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

Extent

0.20 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Method of Acquisition

The papers were given to the Archives by Harry B. Hunsicker, a son of Mrs. Weltzheimer, in 1981. Palli Davis Holubar donated the photocopies of the letters of Charles E. and Margaret B. Weltzheimer (see above) in 2005. These letters are for reference only. The researcher should contact the Taliesin Archives, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, for photocopies.