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Crystal Bridges: Bachman-Wilson House to Open Nov. 11

2 min read

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville said Wednesday that it plans to open the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Bachman-Wilson House on Nov. 11.

The home, designed by the famous architect in 1954, was originally built along the Milestone River in New Jersey. Crystal Bridges acquired the house in 2014, and have moved it to the museum grounds.

Since then, workers have been reassembling the 1,700-SF home. The museum said Wednesday that construction is now in the final stages and the home should be ready for visitors on the fourth anniversary of the museum’s opening.

“We are excited to share this historic object that embodies our mission to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites art and nature,” Crystal Bridges Executive Director Rod Bigelow said in a news release.

“As the only Frank Lloyd Wright house in Arkansas, it enhances our region’s offerings with unique engagement opportunities for schools, families, and individuals with an interest in architecture, all at no cost to the public,” he said.

Arkansas Business reported on the construction progress as part of an Aug. 10 cover story on the museum.

The museum bought the house to save it from the frequent flooding that had threatened it. Its owners, Sharon and Lawrence Tarantino, saw their decision to sell as a way to save a house they had lovingly tended since their purchase of it in 1988.

The house is an example of what Wright called Usonian architecture, which sought to marry quality architecture with modest materials at a price affordable for the middle class.

Wright designed it for Abraham Wilson and Gloria Bachman, whose brother, Marvin Bachman, had studied with Wright.

Crystal Bridges posted a video of the construction progress on its Instagram account:


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