In 1973 the Allentown Art Museum purchased a room from a Prairie style house built by Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright's designs are closely related to the Arts and Crafts Movement from the early 20th Century, which emphasized traditional materials and simple designs. This tour offers decorative arts that compliment our stunning room.

Classroom Activities
The Arts and Crafts Movement produced tightly designed environments with specific values: an appreciation for visible signs of construction; simple, undecorated furniture forms, and a delight in handwork and craftsmanship. Have students describe how the objects on this mini-tour fit into the Arts and Crafts design philosophy.

Have two students pick a room from a design magazine like House and Garden or Traditional Home. Have them describe the characteristics of the room. What is the furniture like? How is color used in the room? Where does fabric show up? What other objects fill the space? Have each student write an essay that describes the room, then compare the two essays. How are the students' perspectives similar? Different?

Sometimes people talk about a room in terms of personality. Based on what students see, have them describe the personality of the Frank Lloyd Wright library.

Have students look at the objects on this tour and the picture of the library. Ask students to decide on a place for the individual objects in the room. How did they make their choices?

Have students pick an object that interests them and research the steps, skills, and materials it would take to make it. Does knowing how something is made change their reaction to it? Why or why not?