group of historically important frank lloyd wright-designed wainwright building (1891) painted cast iron ground floor mullion fragments join bldg. 51 archive

multiple frank lloyd wright-designed red painted cast iron mullion fragments removed from the ground level windows on adler and sullivan's wainwright building (1891) were recently acquired by the bldg. 51 archive collection.

the diminutive cast iron sections (fabricator not known) were salvaged from the building in 1974-75 while undergoing extensive alterations including demolition of the interior. the strongly geometric and gothic style panels divided the large glass panes of plate glass enclosing the first floor storefronts and entrances. nearly all of this ornament was scrapped and replaced with strips of plain wood, which are still visible today. 

images courtesy of eric j. nordstrom and the bldg. 51 archive. all rights reserved. 2023.