Wright, Iowa

Transcription

Mason City is associated with several famous American icons. Among them: architect Frank Lloyd Wright and "Music Man" composer Meredith Willson. As you head into Mason City, you may notice that this community is an architectural treasure trove of distinctively designed buildings and homes, including works by one of our nation's iconic architects. Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the most prolific and influential architects of the 20th century. From his early Prairie Style homes, to his later masterpiece, the Guggenheim Museum in New York, he defined a North American style of architecture rich in detail and sensitive to its surroundings. And that detail is preserved within the Historic Park Inn Hotel right here in Iowa. Built in 1910 for two Mason City attorneys, the Historic Park Inn is the last remaining hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and has been completely restored to its original appearance, serving as a sort of boutique hotel for the area. We have 27 sleeping rooms all together. It's very comfortable, very cozy. It feels kind of like home, but yet it feels special. The restoration of hotel marks the culmination of efforts begun in the 1970's. In 1972, the property was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, but it wasn't until 2011-- and 18.5 million dollars later-- that the building was restored to its 1910 appearance. Well, of course, when we were designing the restoration, we had to make it amenable to today's business traveler and leisure travelers. Originally there were no bathrooms in the guest rooms, and that was not going to work in today's day and age. We've updated technology as well. We have all high definition LED smart TVs in the building, wireless Internet, and a business center, things of that nature. So you can still get some work done as you're reflecting on what life was like one-hundred years ago. Large overhangs, unusually low ceilings, and stained-glass windows, all are hallmarks of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie School Architecture. It's interesting in your design. There are very large overhangs, and a lot of glass, lot of windows, and compressed spaces. Most importantly, however, everything in the hotel was designed with a specific purpose where form and function do indeed meet. Most people when they walk into the lobby, they see the mezzanine, and how low it is. It's a little over six feet tall. And Frank's designs were - he wanted you to go through a compressed space before you entered an open space because it would make it feel more grand. So as you go from the Mezzanine in the front desk area back into the skylight room, you come into this enormous two story space with lead glass, art glass in the ceiling. And it makes that experience seem that more dramatic. Even if you can't spend the night in the hotel, you can take a tour to learn more about the history and architecture of the building. Wright on the Park, which is the non-profit group that owns the building sponsor and runs tours, depending on the season, three to four days a week. Wright on the Park's role has changed since the restoration was completed. Now our real mission is an educational mission. The idea is to focus on how you can use architecture to teach art and culture and history, and for us that is pretty exciting. While in Mason City, march to the beat of 76 trombones and visit the Music Man Square, a museum celebrating the life and work of composer, musician, and Iowa native, Meredith Willson. It is a facility that is visited by about sixty-thousand tourists a year. we have community rooms and a lot of educational opportunities here for all students of all ages. The Music Man takes place in the imagined town of River City, Iowa as the townsfolk prepare for an Independence Day Celebration in 1912. Willson referred to the show as "an Iowan's attempt to pay tribute to his home state." Though River City, may be fictitious, Willson found inspiration from the real Mason City including two businesses that actually existed in 1912. The Music Man Square streetscape is a replica of the Warner's Brothers movie set from the 1962 film. We actually paid Warner Brothers for the rights to recreate this streetscape. It is a reflection Meredith Willson's memories growing up here in Mason City as a child. So, many times, folks who have seen the movie, step into our front doors and recognize many of the scenes from the film. You'll find many charming features, in even the smallest of details. The state-of-the-art museum includes interactive touch panels and big screen videos. You can learn everything there is to know about Willson's prolific career on Broadway and in Hollywood. While Meredith Willson is mostly known and remembered for writing the music man, he had a very prolific music career before and after the music man. We have several displays and several audio tapes of many of the things he has written through the years. You can also learn more about several instruments and time periods in American music history. There's something at this museum for every music lover. Mason City offers one of a kind attractions for music lovers and architecture enthusiasts. Come explore them for yourself