Day Trip: Heading in the Wright direction

ROCKFORD – Those with an interest in the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright can find out more about his work April 23 at Spring Creek United Church of Christ.

Tom Kubala, architect and co-founder of Kubala Washatko Architects in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, will talk about the Albert and Edith Adelman House in Fox Point, Wisconsin. His firm took the main role in the restoration of this 1948 house, one of Wright’s Usonian-style buildings, a style that has low maintenance in mind. The work done on the home in 2014 included adding a pool and pool house, which were part of Wright’s original plans.

The house is a private family home today, and is not available for tours. For information, visit adelmanhouse.com. The Adelmans’ son, Craig, initiated the work.

After the lecture, a private tour of the Laurent House, another Wright creation, will be offered. This house was designed for Kenneth and Phyllis Laurent, who lived there from 1952 until 2012. It’s now owned by a private foundation. This home was built specifically with wheelchair accessibility in mind.

Among the home’s features are a patio, carport, solar hemicycle footprint, and fishpond.

Visitors don’t need to attend the lecture to tour. The Laurent House is open by reservation the first and third weekend of each month. The tours leave from the Midway Village lobby, 6799 Guilford Road, and go by shuttle bus to the house. There is no parking at the home. Those who need wheelchair accessibility should call or email ahead of time.

The Rockford area has another Wright masterpiece. Pettit Memorial Chapel, completed in 1907, at Belvidere Cemetery,1121 N. Main St., Belvidere. Visit belviderecemetery.com for more information.

Those touring who have extra time, might want to explore the Victorian Midway Village with its 26 historical buildings depicting life from 1890 to 1910 in Northern Illinois. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturdays (and Sundays from May to August).

The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children 3 to 17. Visit midwayvillage.com or call 815-397-9112.

Architecture can keep visitors busy in Rockford, so head on out and see what’s there.

IF YOU GO ...

What: Laurent House Spring Lecture Series: Adelman House

When: 3 to 4 p.m. April 23; private tour of Laurent House at 4:30 p.m. (optional)

Where: Spring Creek United Church of Christ, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford

Cost: $15 for lecture; $30 for lecture and tour

For tickets: laurenthouse.com

Information: info@laurenthouse.com or 815-877-2952