Court Case records from 1919 offer clues to why Frank Lloyd Wright didn't mention this house after sending plans to Elizabeth Murphy to build it.
“According to Plans, Specification and Drawings made by Frank Lloyd Wright”
Pause, don’t Dash
The unpainted Pebble-Dash in the Elizabeth Murphy House appears to be the last example of the original exterior of American System Built Houses anywhere.
Art glass during art class
Fourth graders from nearby Atwater School have been visiting this week. Mrs. Hayes, their Art Teacher, is collaborating with The Madison Children's Museum and experts from Taliesin to create an expeditionary curriculum focused on organic design.
For Frank: function followed form
As with other prairie-influenced designs, the chimney sets the tone for the rest of the house. It is intentionally dramatic, like Frank’s fine pork pie fedora. It is also a fake.
Downsizing with Frank
Part of organic design, we're learning, is that spaces are sensory, social and evocative; meant for people, not things.
“She thought he was an immoral man”
Teddy Kibbie "hated this house" and wouldn't invite friends over.
Frank is in good hands with FLWW
A hearty congratulations and thank you to the volunteers at Frank Lloyd Wright Wisconsin (FLWW) for their flawless execution of the Wright and Like 2017 tour.
“How to build a warm, strong and dry house”
By specifying Byrkit Lath in this and other American System-Built Houses, Frank Lloyd Wright may have secured this home's legacy.
Honey, I tore off the front of the house.
Then, we poured new concrete, parged walls, and painted matching trim. Today, the Elizabeth Murphy House stands tall and straight, and ready for tour-goers.
The new, old water closet
The 68" x 72" space was the weak spot in the house when we bought it, and we had plans to quickly make it right. It's Wright now.
The Elizabeth Murphy House 