Geoffrey Baer Tours

Saved from the Wrecking Ball: The Farnsworth House

The building might be beautiful, but it ruined the friendship between its owner and its architect. WTTW’s Geoffrey Baer tells the dramatic story of Farnsworth House by pioneering modern architect Mies Van Der Rohe. Nestled in a forest along the Fox River south of Aurora, it’s one of the most important works of 20th century architecture. It survived love affairs, law suits and natural disasters over half a century. But when its owner abruptly put it up for auction in 2003 it looked like it might be carted away as a trophy. This program tells the tale of daring design set against dramatic events. It culminates with a high-stakes auction where a grassroots group stakes everything to save the house.

An American Public Television program, presented by WTTW11 and produced by Towers Productions.

 
 
 
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