Farnsworth House raising funds for lower terrace restoration

For 70 years, the iconic travertine marble of the lower terrace has endured periodic flooding, deep freezes, scorching sun and tens of thousands of visitors. The time has now come for it to be restored so future generations may continue to visit the storied Farnsworth House. After years of deterioration, over 80% of the stone is now fractured beyond repair and be replaced with material carefully-matched to the original.

Farnsworth House and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are working with preservation architecture and engineering firm Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. This extensive project has been designed to improve drainage and durability and includes installation of new, thicker travertine slabs. For a detailed explanation of the scope of work, please visit the Lower Terrace Restoration page on the Farnsworth House website farnsworthhouse.org/.

Public donations of any amount are key in funding this long-awaited project. Now through Dec. 31, donors of $100 or more will receive two custom-imprint Farnsworth House face masks, and donors of $250 or more will receive the facemasks and a copy of Baldwin Kingery: Midcentury Modern in Chicago 1947-1957 in our Edith Quote Grocery Tote. Detailed information on all levels of donor recognition may be found at farnsworthhouse.org/lower-terrace-restoration/. All donors will receive written recognition of their gift for tax purposes. Contact Farnsworth House Executive Director Scott Mehaffey at 630-273-7055 with additional questions.

Through 2021, Farnsworth House, is celebrating namesake Dr. Edith Farnsworth's life and times with a new interpretive exhibition, "Edith Farnsworth Reconsidered" in the Visitor Center and "Edith Farnsworth's Country House," the temporary refurnishing of the house circa 1955. Visit the website for more up to date information about forthcoming companion exhibitions, events and programming.

Designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1945 and constructed in 1951, the Farnsworth House is a vital part of American iconography, an exemplary representation of both the International Style of architecture as well as the modern movement’s desire to juxtapose the sleek, streamline design of Modern structure with the organic environment of the surrounding nature. Mies constructed this glass box residence of “almost nothing” for Dr. Edith Farnsworth as a country retreat along the Fox River in Plano, IL. It continued to be a private residence for over 50 years until Landmarks Illinois and the National Trust for Historic Preservation purchased it in 2003.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@FarnsworthHouse) to stay up on our many plans as we continue to celebrate Dr. Edith Farnsworth.