September 27, 2012 - Milwaukee
We are pleased to announce that we have purchased of the Frank Lloyd Wright designed American System-Built Homes, Model C3 at 1835 South Layton Boulevard. Immediate plans call for the newly acquired Model C3 to be rented in the short term until a fundraising campaign can be organized for its full restoration.
We are currently in the beginning stages of the restoration of the Model “Two-Flat C” building at 2732-34 West Burnham. That restoration is funded in part by a 2009 Save America’s Treasures matching grant. We recently selected Uihlein-Wilson as the restoration architect. The next step is to develop the restoration plans and obtain the necessary approvals from the City of Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission and the National Park Service. The project at 2732-34 is our main priority in 2012-13.
Our long-range goal is to be the catalyst to restore all six of the homes on Burnham Street. While most of the projects will involve our organization – others will be undertaken by private owners. We are working toward having one example of each of the three American System-Built Homes models on Burnham Street, open to the public as an interpreted historic site. The purchase of the Model C3 ensures we can do that. Also a visitor’s center to support expanded educational programming is needed and will hopefully be on the horizon soon. The Model B1 has already welcomed visitors from over 29 countries and all 50 states since opening for tours in September 2009. We are excited to share this cultural asset in the City of Milwaukee with the rest of the world. It is surprisingly common for people to travel to Milwaukee or make a side trip just to see the homes!