Charnley-Persky House Museum

In Chicago’s Gold Coast, the Charnley-Persky House Museum is a residence designed by Louis Sullivan with contributions from his young draftsman Frank Lloyd Wright. A guided visit lets you see how their ideas meet in the house’s geometric exterior and carefully designed interior. Look for the original woodwork, fireplaces and atrium; much of the furniture is not original, and some rooms are used as offices. The free Wednesday tour is a practical way to explore the building with a guide.

Sullivan and Wright’s design

The Charnley-Persky House is one of the few surviving residential buildings connected with both Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright worked for Sullivan as a draftsman when the house was designed. The exact division of their contributions remains debated, but the building gives you a chance to see their work together in a domestic setting.

Its geometric exterior looks notably modern beside the more traditional houses around it. Inside, the design is restrained, with details that show how the architects moved away from the elaborate decoration associated with Victorian interiors.

What you can see inside

Original woodwork, fireplaces and the atrium remain part of the house. The guided tour covers both exterior and interior spaces, with explanations of the architecture and its design details. Much of the furniture is not original, and some rooms now serve as offices, so not every room is open to visitors.

The house is home to the Society of Architectural Historians. A guide can help make sense of the building’s features and the relationship between Sullivan’s work and Wright’s contribution.