Meyer May Chronology

Meyer May Chronology

In its Victorian neighborhood, the Meyer May house defied convention. In the context of Wright’s career, it was an expression of ideas that grew bolder over time. In the context of contemporary architecture and design, Wright’s impact is still being defined.

Explore the blended history of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Meyer May House in the Chronology below.

1900

Musée d’Orsay Architect Victor Laloux Paris, France

1902

Flatiron Building Architect Daniel Burnham New York, New York

1902

William Ward Willits House Highland Park, Illinois

1903

The Larkin Building Buffalo, New York

1904

The Darwin Martin House Buffalo, New York

1905

The Unity Temple Chicago, Illinois

1906

Casa Batillchitect Antoni Gaudi Barcelona, Spain

1907

The Avery Coonley House Riverside, Illinois

1908

Meyer and Sophie May commission Frank Lloyd Wright to build their home on Madison avenue.

1908

The Robie House Chicago, Illinois

1909

Construction on the May home is completed. Wright leaves his family and practice, traveling in Europe with Mamah Cheney.

1910

Casa Mila Architect Antoni Gaudi Barcelona, Spain

1910

George Niedecken, Wright’s Milwaukee-based associate, adds finishing touches to the May house interior.

1911

Wright builds Taliesin, a new home and studio in Spring Green, Wisconsin.

1913

Woolworth Building Architect Cass Gilbert New York, New York

1913

Midway Gardens Chicago, Illinois

1914

Harriet May is adopted.

1914

Tragedy at Taliesin. A servant murders Mamah Cheney and others, and sets the building on fire.

1915

The Imperial Hotel Tokyo, Japan

1916

Richard May is adopted.

1917

Sophie May dies of influenza, December 10, age 38.

1921

Meyer May marries Rae Stern, a Chicago widow with two children (divorced 1929).

1922

Wright marries his second wife, Maud Miriam Noel (divorced 1927).

1922

Addition by Osgood & Osgood adds new space, including two bedrooms upstairs & servants’ quarters on the main floor.

1923

Ennis-Brown House, Los Angeles, CA Wright develops a new style pre-cast Textile Block houses.

1925

Wright sells the Oak Park Home and Studio.

1928

Wright marries his third wife, Olgivanna Lazovich.

1935

Edgar J. Kaufmann House (Fallingwater) Bear Run, Pennsylvania

1936

S.C. Johnson Wax Company Administrative Building Racine, Wisconsin

1936

Meyer May dies, November 7, age 65. The house remains empty for the next six years.

1937

S.C. Johnson Wax Furniture Racine, Wisconsin

1939

Talesin West Scottsdale, Arizona

1942

Charles Helmer family purchases the house. Remaining Wright-designed furniture is included in the sale.

1945

The Newcomb family buys the home. Over the next 40 years, carports and apartment entrances are added.

1956

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum New York, New York (Completed in 1959)

1959

Wright dies at the age of 91.

1965

Charles Newcomb dies, age 91. Mrs. Newcomb rents apartments in the 1922 addition.

1985

Steelcase purchases the home and extensive restoration research begins.

1986

Restoration to the original design is underway.

1987

Restoration is complete, and the house is opened to the public.

2009

100-year anniversary is celebrated.

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