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Visit the Frank Lloyd Wright House on Your Next Trip to St. Louis

Frank Lloyd Wright, widely known as the greatest American architect of the 20th century, designed many houses during his career. However, Wright only designed two houses in the greater St. Louis area. One of them, the Frank Lloyd House and Museum is in Ebsworth Park, Kirkwood, and is open for public viewing.

Also known as the Kraus House, the design is in Wright's Usonian style, which is his broad concept for efficient, affordable, and aesthetically pleasing housing for middle-class families. The house is a 1,900 square foot single story dwelling built in a parallelogram pattern with concrete, brick, and tidewater red cypress.

The Wright House demonstrates Wright's unique vision and architectural ingenuity. In this post, we will cover everything there is to know about the House, the architect, and how you can visit on your next trip to St. Louis.

Who Was Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) was one of America's most prominent and influential architects. He was renowned for his philosophy of organic architecture, which emphasized harmony between human habitation and the natural world.

This philosophy overlaps with another critical 20th century architect, Buckminster Fuller, who created the Climatron in the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Both architects transformed our way of building by maximizing efficiency and using geometry to define inner sustainability and outer beauty.

Wright's career spanned more than 70 years, during which he designed a variety of structures, including houses, offices, schools, churches, and museums. His most notable works include Fallingwater, the Guggenheim Museum in New York, and the Kraus House in St. Louis.

One significant aspect of Wright's work was his concept of Usonian homes, a term he coined for creating affordable housing for the American middle class that was in harmony with the landscape.

These homes were typically small, single-story dwellings, often L-shaped to fit around a garden terrace. They were usually made of native materials with large cantilevered overhangs for passive solar heating and natural cooling.

What is the Frank Lloyd Wright House in St. Louis

The Kraus House, also known as the Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park in St. Louis, Missouri, is an excellent example of this Usonian design.

Constructed between 1952 and 1955 for Russel Kraus, it was designed to be affordable yet aesthetically pleasing and harmonious with its surroundings. Built in a parallelogram pattern with concrete, brick, and tidewater red cypress, the House exhibits many of Wright's characteristic design features.

Wright's legacy continues to influence modern architecture, and many of his buildings, including the Kraus House, are considered national treasures. His innovative design principles, long-lasting influence on architecture, and contribution to the idea of American homes make him a key figure in architectural history.

The Kraus House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, and since 2001, the home and surrounding 10.5 acres of parkland have been maintained by the Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park (FLWHEP), a not-for-profit organization.

Where is the Frank Lloyd Wright House Located?

The House is located at 120 North Ballas Road, St. Louis, Missouri, 63122, in Kirkwood, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. It's just a 20 minute drive from Lehmann House Bed and Breakfast when you're planning your visit!

The tour details include the following:

Complete tour of the Usonian design and information about the House's history, design, construction, and restoration.
Tours last one hour.
Tickets are:
$20 per adult;
$10 per child (children must be at least seven years old to participate)
Free for FLWHEP members
Masks are optional as of September 1st, 2022.
Visitors may take personal-use photos.

Stay at Lehmann House B&B During Your Next Visit to the Frank Lloyd Wright House

The Frank Lloyd Wright House is a beautiful tourist destination and an incredible display of 20th-century Midwestern-American Architecture. Visitors can see the ornate and nature-inspired architecture in Wright’s Usonian style.

When you’re planning your visit to St. Louis, be sure to check out the Wright House in Kirkwood, Missouri, it’s just 20 minutes away from accommodations at Lehmann House Bed and Breakfast.

For more information about St. Louis attractions, their history, and the best times to visit, check out our ATTRACTIONS and our blogs for the latest events and opportunities in the St. Louis area. Plan on staying at Lehmann House during your stay, be sure to CONTACT US with any questions, check out OUR ROOMS, then BOOK NOW to get started!