“… these perishable documents ought to be cherished and guarded by custodians not too selfish—and yet sensible, too, of the priceless character of the record held in trust as an original force, a light in all future culture.”
— Frank Lloyd Wright on the Japanese woodblock print, Antique Colour Prints from the Collection of Frank Lloyd Wright, Arts Club of Chicago exhibition catalog, 1917
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Collections
Housed at both Taliesin and Taliesin West, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Collections include the personal belongings and art collections of the Wrights, furnishings for their homes and studios, the creative output of Fellowship members, archival material relating to the Foundation’s institutional history, and secondary resources related to the above. This unique assemblage of objects is the only extant collection dedicated to the daily lives of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Fellowship, enabling the Foundation to tell the intimate stories of Taliesin and Taliesin West like no other organization can.
These historic materials provide first-hand opportunities for research and learning that are critical to continuing Wright’s legacy while also supporting the next generation of architects, artists, designers, historians, and students at all levels. As stewards of the Collections, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Collections department prioritizes making it accessible digitally and in-person, with the goal of publishing our object and library databases, as well as archive finding aids, in 2026.
The Archival Collection includes approximately 2,100 linear feet of material held at Taliesin West. Types of material include architectural fragments, audio-visual material, correspondence, drawings, ephemera, graphics related to the Taliesin Press, licensing sample products, oral histories, photographs, vertical files, and more. The archive holds vast records of the Foundation – from the creative output of the Fellows such as the Taliesin Festival of Music and Dance to institutional records. Other major holdings are records related to the apprentices and Taliesin West as a World Heritage site.
*Please note, for the Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural archival collection, please see Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library below.
![[Taliesin West by James Thomson, 1944, graphite pencil and colored pencil on paper, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Collections, 3803.209.]](https://franklloydwright.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/thompson.png)
1910.629.1-6. The mural from the TAA designed Lewis and Roca law firm in Phoenix.
Wooden mask on the desk at the right of the photograph (1186.081).
From the John Amarantides papers, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Collections
The Fine and Decorative Arts Collection contains art and other objects collected by Wright, furnishings for Taliesin and Taliesin West, items designed by Wright, and the creative output of the Fellowship. This collection also includes personal effects such as clothing and accessories.
The Functional Collection consists of objects and furniture at both sites that are used for educational, research, or interpretive purposes. These pieces were often made by Fellowship members or Foundation staff for use at Taliesin and Taliesin West. Visitors are often able to physically interact with these pieces, by actually sitting in them which allows for a more immersive tour experience.
William Wesley Peters Library and Special Collection contains approximately 33,000 books, periodicals, and other printed materials, with a focus on Frank Lloyd Wright, art, architecture, and design. This also includes personal book collections of the Wrights and Taliesin Fellows.
The Buildings and Landscapes at Taliesin and Taliesin West are historically significant and are considered part of the Foundation’s Collection. This includes the natural landscapes and viewsheds, which are important aspects of Wright’s design and his philosophy of organic architecture.
As stewards, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation preserves the cultural, built, and natural environments that comprise both the Taliesin and Taliesin West properties. You can read more on our preservation page.
Collections Management Policy
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s Collections Management Policy outlines the scope of the Foundation Collections, defines the roles responsible for stewarding the collections, and explains how we care for, document, and make these items accessible to the public. The policy is in accordance with established museum standards and was approved by the Foundation’s Board of Governors on April 12, 2021. The policy is currently under review with anticipated revisions being presented by the Director of Collections & Archives to the Preservation & Master Planning Committee in early 2026.
Research Requests for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Collections
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation is committed to sharing our knowledge and resources and will make all efforts to assist with research and provide access to the Foundation Collections. You may email your queries and image requests to the Collections department at the email address below.
Please describe the details of your project, the purpose of your research, the material requested, and your deadline. It’s recommended that you contact us several weeks in advance due to the high volume of requests we receive.
In-person research visits are Monday-Friday by appointment only and can be made by emailing us a minimum of two weeks in advance.
*Please note that the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation only services the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Collections.*
Contact Us
For additional information about the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Collections, or to schedule a research visit, please email us at Collections@FrankLloydWright.Org.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Collections Team:
Rebecca Hagen, Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer Director of Collections & Archives
Pat D. Evans, Registrar
Nicole Richard, Archivist
Lesley Tsuchiya, Research & Special Collections Librarian
Kyle Dockery, Collections Coordinator
Header image: Detail of a design for a glass mural for Mr. And Mrs. Chester Sharp.
Drawing by Eugene Masselink, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Collections, 1910.251-1
Freedom of speech is the foundation of our communities and our nation. The material in the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Collections may awe, illuminate, challenge, unsettle, confound, provoke, and, at times, offend. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation does not necessarily endorse the work, vision, ideas, and opinions of the creators in our collection. Consistent with our fundamental commitment to freedom of speech, we actively promote access to the collection and will not sensor material in response to political or ideological pressure. That said, some information may require restriction due to their legal or financial nature.
