An Afternoon with Frank Lloyd Wright

Nathaniel Allaire - The Joy of Keeping Wright Right!

Join the Friends of Cedar Rock at the Independence Public Library for "An Afternoon with Frank Lloyd Wright".

Frank Lloyd Wright houses are celebrated for their beauty, innovation, and individuality, but preserving them can also present some unexpected challenges. In this presentation, Nathan Allaire will compare Cedar Rock in Quasqueton, Iowa, and Samara in West Lafayette, Indiana, two remarkable Wright-designed homes with their own distinct stories, details, and preservation needs.

Drawing on his experience working with both sites, Nathan will highlight some of his favorite architectural features, a few details that continue to raise questions, and the maintenance and preservation adventures that come with caring for Wright’s work. Through stories from Cedar Rock and Samara, the presentation will explore the realities of stewardship while celebrating what makes the work so rewarding.

Ultimately, the talk is a reminder that caring for a Frank Lloyd Wright house can require patience, creativity, and persistence, but the opportunity to preserve and share these extraordinary places makes the effort worthwhile.

Nathan Allaire is the Site Director of Samara, the John and Catherine Christian House in West Lafayette, Indiana, where he oversees preservation, interpretation, collections, and daily operations. He previously worked with Cedar Rock, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Walter House in Quasqueton, Iowa, and holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Design from Iowa State University. His work focuses on the stewardship of historic architecture and the practical challenges of preserving significant places for future generations.

*Tickets are required and can be purchased for $10 here or in person at the event.

For more information, email iplprograms@gmail.com, call 319-334-2470, or visit our website at: www.independenceia.org/library

This event will take place:

Saturday October 3, 2026

2:00 p.m.

Independence Public Library
805 1st Avenue East
Independence, Iowa. 50644