If you love history (and animals!), join one of our preservation partners, Smith County Historical Society, for their program at Caldwell Zoo on Thurs. 5/22. Be sure to bring a friend! (fb)

Architectural ABCs: U is for Usonian Date: c. 1934-c. 1960 Characteristics: “Usonia” is an (almost) acronym for the United States of North America. The term was meant to describe architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision for a new type of Contemporary American architecture that wasn’t constrained by European conventions, was harmonious to the American landscape, and—in the aftermath of the Great Depression—was affordable for the American people. Usonian homes were designed for the middle class. The buildings were often single story, approximately 1500 square feet, and made of local materials (especially glass, wood, and stone). Usonian houses feature open floor plans with few interior walls and built-in furnishings. Overhanging eaves (in lieu of gutters), radiant heating (instead of steam), and an abundance of windows (in place of artificial lighting) further reduced the various costs associated with maintaining a home. To my knowledge, there are no examples of Usonian architecture in Tyler. While the Tyler examples included here are better classified as International or Contemporary (and not particularly Usonian), they were chosen because they feature many of the same architectural characteristics as seen in the Usonian style. Examples: No. 1-2: Peters-Margedant House at 500 S. Weinbach Ave. in Evansville, IN (now on the University of Evansville campus). An early Usonian house prototype (1934) measuring only 552 square feet and designed by FLW’s first apprentice (and future son-in-law), Wes Peters. The Margedants and their four children lived in this home for about 10 years (!). Exterior photo courtesy of Indiana Landmarks. Interior photo courtesy of Peters-Margedant House. No. 3-4: Herbert Jacobs House by Frank Lloyd Wright (1936) at 441 Toepffer Ave. in Madison, WI. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photos courtesy of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. No. 5: 526 E. Lake St. in Tyler (1950). Azalea RHD. Architect: E. Davis Wilcox (and also his private home). No. 6: 608 W. Camellia St. in Tyler (1951). Azalea Residential Historic District. No. 7: 2022 Montrose Dr. in Tyler (1965). (fb)