Farnsworth House, Plano

Name: Farnsworth House
Address: 14520 River Rd, Plano, 60545-9710, United States
Telephone: +1 630-552-0052

#1 among attractions in Plano

Top attraction, Gift shop, Historical place, History museum, More...

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Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Victor Grigas / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / marco 2000 / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Victorgrigas / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Victorgrigas / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Elekhh / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Atelier FLIR / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Victorgrigas / URL

Facts and practical information

The Farnsworth House, a quintessential icon of modernist architecture, is nestled in the verdant landscape of Plano, Illinois. Designed by the legendary architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, this museum in Kendall County is not merely a house but a work of art that harmonizes space, structure, and the natural environment.

Constructed between 1945 and 1951, the Farnsworth House is a one-room weekend retreat that stands as a testament to minimalist design. Its transparent walls and floating appearance create an intimate yet expansive relationship with the surrounding nature. The house is elevated five feet above a floodplain by eight wide-flange steel columns, which also outline the structure's sleek, geometric form.

Visitors to the Farnsworth House can expect to be awed by its ethereal quality and the way it captures the changing light and seasons, providing a serene backdrop to the meticulously designed interior. The open-plan interior, with its clear partitions, allows for an unobstructed view of the woods and Fox River, promoting a sense of tranquility and escape from the busy outside world.

The museum offers guided tours that delve into the history of the house, the life of its original owner Dr. Edith Farnsworth, and the architectural significance of Mies van der Rohe's vision. It's a pilgrimage site for architecture enthusiasts and a captivating educational experience for the general public interested in modern design and art.

Alternative names: Built: 1945 (79 years ago)Coordinates: 41°38'6"N, 88°32'9"W

Address

14520 River RdPlano 60545-9710 United States

Contact

+1 630-552-0052

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Day trips

Farnsworth House – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Sandwich City Hall, Plano Stone Church, Glen D. Palmer Dam, Bristol Congregational Church.

4.4 miW
City hall
Sandwich City Hall, Sandwich
112 min walk • Sandwich City Hall, which is also known as the Sandwich City Hall & Opera House, is the government center for the city of Sandwich, Illinois in DeKalb County. The first floor of the building is occupied by city government while the second floor of the historic building houses an active opera house.
1.7 miN
Church
Plano Stone Church, Plano
43 min walk • The Plano Stone Church was constructed in 1868 to serve as the headquarters for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints under the leadership of Joseph Smith III. Smith moved to Plano, Illinois, in 1866 and in 1867 was appointed head of the Stone Church's building committee.
4.8 miE
Dam
Glen D. Palmer Dam, Yorkville
123 min walk • The Glen D. Palmer Dam is a 6-foot-high dam across the Fox River in Yorkville, Illinois, about 35.9 miles upstream from the confluence with the Illinois River, and 940 feet upstream from the Route-47 bridge. The dam is named after the original manager of the State Game Farm, formerly located in Yorkville.
4.6 miE
Church, Greek Revival architecture, Gothic Revival architecture
Bristol Congregational Church, Yorkville
119 min walk • Bristol Congregational Church, also known as the Chapel on the Green, is a historic church located at 107 W. Center Street in Yorkville, Illinois. The Congregational church was built in 1855 for a congregation which formed in the 1830s.
1.9 miN
Neo-renaissance architecture
Plano Hotel, Plano
49 min walk • The Plano Hotel is a 19th-century hotel building located in Plano, Illinois, United States. It was built in 1868 by John K. Smith and reflects the Italianate architectural style. In 1993, the building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
4.6 miE
41°39'9"N • 88°27'1"W
Yorkville Public Library, Yorkville
117 min walk • Library
0.9 miSE
National park
Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area
22 min walk • Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area is an Illinois state park on 1,350 acres in Kendall County, Illinois, United States. The park was established in the late 1960s and is named for the natural spring within its boundaries. The park has two artificial lakes and the Fox River flows through the northern end of the park.