The Portal

Yellow Tulip

I took this photograph a few weeks ago, and then in the midst of celebrating birthdays and graduations and anniversaries, I forgot to post it. So here is a macro of a yellow tulip, a bit late, but I like its delicate look.

Bradley-Sigma Phi House

Louis Sullivan, architect

Louis Sullivan, Architect

Several weekends ago I went on Wright & Like 2009: Madison, a tour of architectural wonders including homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and other Prairie School architects of that era. It was a wonderful experience, even though the threat of rain was ever-present. I went through six homes, including one that was open to a public tour for the first time (the John and Ruth Pew home.) It will take me a few weeks, but I’ll post photographs of the all of the homes I toured.

This immense home, approximately 10,800 square feet of space, was built as a wedding present for Harold C. Bradley, a professor at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and his fiancee, Josephine Crane, the grand-daughter of the founder of the Crane plumbing company. Her father engaged Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright’s mentor, to design the home. George Elmslie, one of the finest craftsmen in the period, did the exterior and interior woodwork and the elegant interior furnishings. The home was constructed in 1908-09. This was Louis Sullivan’s last residential undertaking, and in it he implemented many of the ideas of Wright and other Prairie School architects.

This is One Huge House!

This is One Huge House!

The home, located just south of the UW campus, was too large for the lifestyles of the Bradleys, and the size of the home made it difficult for the hearing-impaired Mrs. Bradley to supervise her young children. The Bradleys therefore sold the home to the Sigma Phi fraternity in 1915 and it remains a fraternity house to this day.

The Wright & Like tour provided an inside tour of the house, and though no interior photographs were allowed, it is evident that the Sigma Chi’s continue to maintain this architectural gem in the fashion it was intended. (I did find a blog which shows the lovely interior of several rooms, including a photograph of the circular dining room table which accommodates 16-well worth taking a look at.)

built in 1909, restored in 1972

Built in 1909, Restored in 1972

This home was nearly destroyed by a St. Patrick’s evening fire in 1972. Only one member of the fraternity was at home during the time and he escaped without injury. However, the second floor of the house was in ruins, and the first floor suffered from water and smoke damage. Due to the generosity of A. C. Nielson, the Nielson ratings guy and an alumnus of Sigma Chi, and other donors, a substantial restoration took place. Neilson and his son, also an alum, continue to assist in the support and maintenance of this architectural masterpiece.

Architectural Detail, Front Porch

Architectural Details, Front Porch

 

Elmslie designed the fretwork of the home’s exterior, including this detail which is on the enclosed front room of the house, and originally an open sleeping porch. The home’s interior woodwork and furniture retained this design, and some of it still remains in the home.

The home was placed on the National Historical Landmark after the restoration, a designation given to only the most historically-important buildings. It really is one of the most interesting of all the Wright-inspired homes I’ve toured, and I really have to give credit to the members of Sigma Phi who are living a part of history and taking care of a national treasure.

Shadow Portrait

North Elizabeth Train Station

North Elizabeth Train Station

On our recent trip to the East Coast, we stayed in New Jersey and took the New Jersey Transit train into Manhattan every day. Though I did miss the excitement and convenience of staying in the city, it made no sense to pay for hotel rooms for 5 people for 5 nights. Not when we could stay with family for nothing. The train we took was usually a double decker, also fun.

I couldn’t pass the opportunity to take a shadow portrait of my family while we were waiting for the train.

Mostly Cloudy

Strawberry Island

Strawberry Island

Still doing photos from last summer. How did I ever manage to get such a backlog? This photo is from a cloudy, windy August day in northeastern Wiscosnin’s Door County. I spent a long afternoon sitting on the beach watching the clouds drift over Strawberry Island. I remember thinking everyone else was in such a hurry to go see something, go do something. I was pretty satisfied doing what I was doing — thinking about “stuff” and watching the clouds drift by. Once in awhile I’d pick up my camera and take a couple of photos.

Aren’t those clouds something to behold?

A Bit of Last Summer

remembering summer

remembering summer

I’ve been working on my photography portfolio and wading through thousands (yes, thousands) of images, deleting most and working on a few. This is one of the photos that caught my eye, I think because the leaves of the plant seem almost like a shadow.

It’s nice to be going through summer photos right now.  I am trying to take each day as it comes, and appreciate February as it is, but I do admit my heart and soul are waiting for warmer weather and the appearance of wildflowers and color again.

The photo of the clover was taken last summer in Door County, one of my favorite places in Wisconsin, and where I go when I want to get away.