Wright in Florida

Jeannie Johnston — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:50:31 +0000

Being a total novice and a newbie when it comes to modernism, I am coming across new facts every day regarding the quantity of modern structures we have in the south. Case in point, I was delighted to discover that one of Florida’s many distinctions includes housing the largest collection of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright on a single site. That site being the campus of Florida Southern College (Lakeland, Florida) which has started to restore these historic treasures that were designed and built by the famed architect over a 20-year period (from the 1930s to the 1950s).

In 1938, then president Dr. Ludd Spivey contacted Wright via telegram that read, “Desire conference with you concerning plans for a great education temple in Florida.” I love that terminology too – “education temple”. Wright has been equated by some to the status of prophet because he had the ability to literally see over 10 to 20 years into the future when it came to his designs. He absolutely accepted the challenge issued by Dr. Spivey and designed a complex of 18 buildings built around a central fountain and connected by a network of covered walkways.

Wright was given an honorary doctorate by Florida Southern in 1950 and while on the campus to receive the same, he said the college represented what he called a new type of American “organic” architecture. He went on to call it, “a little green shoot in the realm of the spirit – something that is true to itself, something that is true to mankind, something that insists upon integrity.” Again, given the year, Wright was some 60 years ahead of all the “going green” builders of our modern day.

The Wright-designed buildings on campus were named to the World Monument Fund’s 100 most endangered sites in 2007. Funded by several grants, ongoing restoration projects are giving visitors a glimpse of the famed architect’s original vision, and tours are available as well.

Luckily for us, the Sarah D. and L. Kirk McKay, Jr., Archives Center at FSC has launched two major digital collections related to the work of Wright. The “Child of the Sun: Florida Southern College Digital Photograph Collection” comprises hundreds of vintage images from the 1930s to the 1950s, including seldom-seen photographs of the campus construction. “The Southern: Florida Southern College’s Student Newspaper Collection” represents the beginning of a keyword-searchable database of student newspapers that chronicle the history of the Wright project and other campus events. Both collections are accessible at http://archives.flsouthern.edu/cdm4/about.php

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Wright in Florida