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We finally had the opportunity to tour the Westcott House after the restoration was completed. What a great house! I can’t believe how wonderful it looks. We got to tour it early in the restoration process and the difference is night and day.Â
One thing that we noticed was that Springfield, Ohio is a town that needs some love. There are certainly some beautiful homes there, but it is really obvious that the economy is not doing so well in that area. It was an industrial powerhouse of a town in the 1800s and grew quickly and continually through much of the 1900s. At one point there were 10 different car manufacturers with factories in Springfield. The depression hit Springfield hard, as it did all of the country. These days the manufacturing and industry don’t seem to be booming.Â
The parts that we drove through looked pretty depressed. I’m sure there are good sides of town that we did not see. I don’t mean to talk down Springfield. It is a very cool town with plenty of wonderful architecture.Â
If you live in Springfield, please post up about your town and where I should visit the next time we come through.Â
You can see the most recent photos HERE.
You can see the restoration photos HERE.
Don’t miss the Wright Panorama Exhibit if you get there before January 6, 2008.Â
I had a blog entry about experiences that people had with tours of Wright-designed homes. This tour was very nicely conducted by the Westcott House docent (Nancy). She had a rough group. There were two “know-it-alls” that talked throughout the entire tour, opened every door and had their hands on pretty much everything. They didn’t stay with the group… walking ahead or lagging behind. They pretty much made it very difficult for the rest of us to enjoy the tour.Â
The one thing that the docent did not do was rope these two in. I think she was fairly new and did a good job of not letting them bother her. They were basically the perfect example of how people on a tour can ruin it for everyone else.Â
We enjoyed the tour and will go back again when things are in bloom.
Thanks!
Pete
6 Responses to “Burton and Orpha Westcott House (1906-8)”
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November 26th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Hi Pete,
Loved the review and the photos. I didn’t know about the Wescott House until I read your earlier post about the restoration. Thanks for the follow-up, review, photos and links.
By the way, do you ever post about upcoming tours in advance so your readers might be able to join you, ask questions in advance, pass along tips, etc?
Joan
November 27th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Pete
Thanks for your candid review and photos of your Westcott House experience, and your visitor impressions of Springfield. A little about Springfield – it has been challenged over the years to adapt to the new economy as has every city in the so-called rust-belt of our country. Many of the once successful and thriving manufacturing centers are now struggling. The Westcott House in a way represents the culture of innovation and inventiveness that once existed here (where we have come from) and what needs to be done — restoring what we can and focusing on what we need to do to be a vital and successful city once again. We have had tremendous support locally and otherwise during the restoration but as with most every non-profit we are challenged to meet the need for continued maintenance and funding for our programs and operations.
The Westcott House hopes to inspire visitors to seek a greater understanding of why these houses are important by promoting Wright’s concepts related to organic architecture. Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
November 28th, 2007 at 1:47 am
Hey Rob,
You summed up my thoughts about Springfield perfectly. I love that the city has supported the restoration of the Westcott House. It says so much about the people of Springfield. It is a city that has been challenged over the years and keeps coming back. If it follows the example of the Westcott House, it will be looking and being great from top to bottom.
Thank you.
Joan, thanks for your comments too. I’m glad that you found the Westcott House. It is an amazing place to visit.
I don’t often give advanced notice about my trips because I usually have NO idea where I’m going to be on a particular day. I’ve met up with a few people on a few trips, but it has been sheer luck that the timing worked out.
Thanks again for your posts. Have a great evening.
Pete
December 19th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Hi Pete;
We took the docents from the Weltzheimer House here in Oberlin, Ohio and had a nice tour by a rather inexperienced guide. After our tour we took turns talking about some of the characteristic aspects of the Westcott house that are still evident when our 1948 house was built. The guide stayed with us and learned some things as well. One of the other guides was offended that we were in her way and taking too much time,and getting off topic away from the wonders of Westcott and Springfield. Hopefully she does not enjoy permanent volunteer status.
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:19 pm
The picture is very nice, nice places make me feel good. When I was young, I wanted to be an architect but I can’t.That’ fine by me,I still love watching beautiful places and of course I love living in that places too. Now I try to decorate my room to be a nice place to live when I come back from work but the main problems are spaces and furniture.
Anyway have you had any accident on the road yet ? If you haven’t , you were very lucky. Because There are problems along the road such as bad cops, weird laws , a winding road and..etc. Those things can make you go crazy and the accident will happen. I think audio books may calm you down, so you can stay focus on driving again.
If you ‘re interested in audiobooks,check out this site
http://astore.amazon.com/listentoaudiobook-20
Take care.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Really congratulations for your passion and your hard work Peter… I am an european architect, I worked many years ago a lot of time with a known organic italian architect and I am deeply moved to ”meet” persons like you…
Really congratulations.
Gio