WE ARE PLEASED TO BE OFFERING BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE OPTIONS FOR THIS EVENT! PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS TO JOIN EITHER VENUE.
The American house underwent a dramatic change in the mid-Century period, c.1940-1960, as it evolved from Colonial and Cape Cod into the Ranch, and the Modern with flat roofs and walls of glass. The talk will examine these changes with references to sub-divisions such as Levittown, Hollin Hills, the USONIAN houses of Frank Lloyd Wright and publications such as the Ranch House and CASE Study from California.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Following a childhood in Rudolph Shindler's Wilson House in Los Angeles, Architectural Historian Richard Guy Wilson received his B.A. at the University of Colorado in 1963, and his M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in 1968 and 1972 respectively. Wilson taught at Michigan and Iowa State University before moving to the University of Virginia in 1976. He received the outstanding professor award at Virginia in 2001 and served as the Commonwealth Professor's Chair from 1986 until his retirement in 2020.
Mr. Wilson’s specialty is scholarship involving the architecture, design and art of the 18th to the 21st centuries in America and abroad. His research, publications and exhibitions have ranged from the architecture of Thomas Jefferson to the Arts & Crafts and related (Art Nouveau, etc.) movements in the United States and Europe, the history of cities and especially the American suburb and utopian plans, the foundations of Modernism, the revival of classicism in the later 19th century, and mid-20th century modern houses and furniture design. His work has often sought to connect architecture with literature and poetry.
He has authored, co-authored or edited over a dozen books, including The Prairie School in Iowa (with Sidney Robinson), published in 1977, the foundational McKim, Mead and White, Architects (1983), The Machine Age in America 1918-1941 (with Dianne Pilgrim and Dickran Tashjian), The Colonial Revival House (2004), and the Society of Architectural Historians' Buildings of Virginia: Tidewater and Piedmont (2002) and its recent online update. In addition to his voluminous and broad academic work that often broadens the boundaries of the field, Richard has consistently sought to broaden the audience for architectural history, reaching out to the general public by lecturning widely to audiences that range from academics to local historical societies. He has served as an advisor and commentator for a number of television programs. His advisory work on A&E's America's Castles gave a public face to the field of architectural history, and the historic house museums of the United States.
IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE
The lecture will take place at The First Congregational United Church of Christ, Second Floor, 945 G Street NW, Washington, DC. Reservations are not required. $10.00 for Latrobe Chapter members, student members (full time) free with ID, $15.00 for non-members. Doors will open at 6:30 pm for socialization and refreshments; lecture will begin at 7:00 pm.
VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE
Virtual attendance is free but advance registration is required to participate. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the lecture. Virtual lecture will begin at 7:00 PM. Please note that this event will not be recorded. TO REGISTER VIA ZOOM, CLICK HERE.