Looking Back at Wright & Like 2026: Delavan Lake

wright and like 2026

What a wonderful weekend in Southern Wisconsin! On September 11 and 12, 2026, Wright & Like 2026: Delavan Lake brought together architecture enthusiasts, scholars, and friends of organic design for an unforgettable, sold-out exploration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy along the shores of Delavan Lake and Lake Geneva.

Weekend Highlights

Friday Evening Reception at Arrowhead

The weekend kicked off on Friday evening, September 11, with an intimate wine-and-cheese reception at Arrowhead, a stunning Wright-inspired home on Lake Geneva designed by architect Ken Dahlin. Guests enjoyed light appetizers, drinks, and lively conversation, capped off by an insightful panel discussion with the architect and homeowner.

Saturday Boat Tour, Lecture & Site Exploration

On Saturday, September 12, attendees gathered at Lake Lawn Resort to experience Delavan Lake’s extraordinary concentration of Wright architecture:

  • Views from the Water: The day began aboard the Lake Lawn Queen, a 76-foot double-decker tour boat, offering guests a rare perspective of Wright-designed shorelines from Delavan Lake.

  • Keynote Presentation: Acclaimed Frank Lloyd Wright scholar and author Mark Hertzberg delivered an engaging lecture on Penwern, the Fred B. Jones Residence (1900), highlighting its collection of companion structures and significance as one of Wright's most celebrated Prairie-era compositions.

  • Exclusive Property Tours: Guests were shuttled to Penwern to tour the Fred B. Jones Residence, stable, boathouse, and Gate Lodge, as well as the adjacent Schwemm House (1994, Brian A. Spencer) as the tour’s featured "Like" property. Additional shuttles brought attendees to tour the Ross Summer House (1902), the Wallis-GoodSmith House (1900), and the Spencer Summer Cottage (1902).

Thank You to Our Community

An event of this scale is only possible through the generosity and hard work of many people. We extend our heartfelt thanks to:

  • Our Coordinators & Volunteers: Whose dedicated planning, check-in coordination, and shuttle management kept the entire weekend running smoothly.
  • Our Speakers & Hosts: Mark Hertzberg for sharing his deep expertise on Penwern, Ken Dahlin, and our gracious host homeowners who opened their properties.
  • Our Attendees: Whose enthusiastic support directly impacts our ongoing work to honor Wright's vision.

Preserving Wright's Vision in Wisconsin

Events like Wright & Like do more than offer exclusive access to historic spaces—they directly support the mission of Wright in Wisconsin to promote, protect, and preserve the architectural legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright, his apprentices, and like-minded designers across his home state. By fostering public appreciation for these organic designs, we help ensure these irreplaceable cultural treasures continue to inspire generations to come. Thank you for standing with us as stewards of Wisconsin’s rich architectural heritage!

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