Moments spent at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is among the best bits of every trip to Northwest Arkansas. Experience the exhibitions, architecture, and parks, and then spend a bit more time at the Bachman-Wilson House of Frank Lloyd Wright.
This house is a classic example of the Usonian architecture of Wright and is accessible for everyone to see. Astonishingly small, the corridors of the house are only expansive enough to slip through one person. Wright designed his homes mostly around the low-cost living concept that centered squarely on the interests of the occupants.
Initially, the house was constructed in New Jersey. It was taken away from its New Jersey location and reinstalled at Crystal Bridges after recurrent flooding endangered the integrity of the home. In 2014, the Museum of Art Crystal Bridges confirmed its purchase of the home and eventual relocation to the premises of the museum secluded in the Ozarks.
There are plenty of fascinating features in the Bachman-Wilson House that ought to be witnessed in person to be appreciated. Most of them are innovative strategies that solve the difficulties of living in a restricted space, for example. Obviously, Wright had been ahead of his era.
Tourists were able to walk inside the iconic Usonian house since its relocation in Bentonville and explore the interior. The stairs, although stunning in architecture, really aren’t designed to handle loads of tourists climbing up and down every week, so the second floor has managed to stay temporarily closed.
By way of substantial glass walls and doors, the rear of the house and living spaces face southwest and open to the outdoors. In its first New Jersey venue, this aspect of the home would have opposed the Millstone River. It faces the hollow Crystal Spring at the Crystal Bridges. The gardens are lovely and well worthy to visit and have fun.
Things to know before visiting
Bachman-Willson House is on the Crystal Bridges Museum of Art campus. Because of the restricted structure of the building, tickets are required to guarantee that venue is not overwhelmed. Self-guided tour tickets are free, but they charge $10 plus tax for guided tours. Tickets can also be booked and bought online. It is not permissible to take photographs while inside.
Indeed a magnificent destination, with the inclusion of the Bachman-Wilson House, Crystal Bridges has become even more spectacular.
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