Hello, architecture enthusiasts and Kankakee County neighbors! This week, we invite you inside one of our community’s true treasures—a masterpiece designed by none other than Frank Lloyd Wright. On this episode, we tag along for an exclusive, in-depth tour of the B. Harley Bradley House, led by Bob Bohlmann, the Executive Director and self-proclaimed caretaker of this architectural gem.
Frank’s Prairie Masterpiece
Bob, who’s as much of a storyteller as he is a preservationist, walked us through the remarkable details, innovations, and heartwarming histories that fill every corner of this house. From its Prairie School origins dating back to 1900, to painstaking restorations and quirky design choices, this tour is a love letter to both design and local heritage.
Step Inside the Foyer—And History
By Bob’s account, we weren’t just entering a house—we were stepping into a living piece of architectural history. “We call it Frank Lloyd Wright’s First Prairie House. The drawings are dated June of 1900—so we’re 125 years old,” Bob notes with pride.
Immediately, Wright’s principles of “compression and release” flood the senses, as the entryway’s dimensions shift dramatically and invite the mind to “breathe, absorb, wander the space, be enchanted by the space.”
Open Spaces and Family Living
Gone are the boxy, restrictive rooms of Victorian homes. Instead, Bob invites us to imagine the original inhabitants enjoying music, literature, and conversation in an open, interconnected living environment. As he shares, “We have the music room opening right onto the space. So if you want to, you grab a book…you sit down, you read the book or somebody’s playing music. The family enjoys and listens to the music.” Even the piano—a 1912 player piano, restored and donated—adds authenticity and charm.
Historic Tech and Hidden Comforts
What’s a marvel of design without a few hidden surprises? The house was fully electrified in 1900—a rarity for its time—and boasts original hot water heating with clever radiators set behind the exquisite oak casework. “My warm air washes to cold outside. You create natural convection currents,” Bob explains, channeling both pride and a bit of mechanical engineering geekery.
Dining Room Stories—From Amish Furniture to Celebrity Auctions
The journey then leads us to the dining room, where restored woodwork and custom Amish furniture replace originals that were auctioned off over the years—sometimes to surprising buyers. “Barbara Streisand is the one who ended up with the original desk from the house for a mere $176,000… I believe she sold it again,” Bob recalls with a chuckle.
He continues with tales of the iconic stained-glass laylights overhead. Removed in tough times and sold at Christie’s in the early eighties—fetching almost $20,000 apiece—these windows were eventually replicated down to the smallest detail: “There are 631 pieces of glass in each panel.” The ongoing quest to restore these features is a testament to both community commitment and architectural legacy.
Design for Accessibility—A 1900s Masterstroke
The house doesn’t just boast beauty—it’s designed with heart. Bob tells the story of B. Harley Bradley, who contracted polio as a child. “This whole first floor, there are no steps. Well, you do not put steps in if your client is on crutches and leg irons.” Frank Lloyd Wright’s sensitivity to his client’s needs was not only ahead of its time—it’s deeply inspiring.
Between Past and Present: Restoration and Preservation
Throughout the tour, Bob reminds us that preserving such an iconic house is an ongoing endeavor—and often a labor of love. From hand-crafted window replacements and cedar shingle roofing, to maintaining original radiators and plumbing, every element matters. As Bob says, “With all practicality and from the heart, this is the material we should use.”
The Stables, Gift Shop, and Whimsical Surprises
Our journey ends in the original stables and carriage house, now a beautifully restored gift shop. Here, the ingenuity of Frank Lloyd Wright shines—down to the eight-inch-deep closets designed for horse harnesses, which now perfectly display merchandise. Even the barn’s “cow room” remains, a nod to the home’s agricultural roots and the era’s love of fresh milk and butter.
The Lower Level: Planting Seeds for Tomorrow
One of Bob’s proudest achievements is the educational lab in the lower level, where local students come to experience architecture hands-on—designing, building, and drawing in the very house that inspired so much innovation. “We call it seed planting… Half of the class over here will build me a building with Legos. The cool thing about Lincoln Logs—Lincoln Logs were created by John Wright, Frank’s son.”
Key Quotes from Bob Bowman
- “Frank Lloyd Wright is taking our vision in our mind and he’s kneading them, pushes you down and then takes you in a large space and lets it expand. And you never see his whole design at one time. It keeps unfolding as you go.”
- “What a space. Doesn’t get much better than that. That’s beautiful. Such a beautiful view.”
- “The question got said, oh, how much for the wood shingle roof? Well, anywhere between 300 to $500,000… But with all practicality and from the heart, this is the material we should use.”
- “What I tell them is, okay, architect. Yeah, it sounds great…But if I didn’t have any carpenters, masons, ironworkers, etcetera, to build Centennial Chapel, who cares how great I am? It’s a team effort.”
Conclusion: A House That’s So Much More Than a Home
This bonus episode is a celebration of not just bricks, glass, and wood—but the community, history, and love that preserve it for generations to come. The Bradley House is an evolving, breathing symbol of Kankakee’s commitment to art, history, and education. As Bob warmly puts it, “I am showing off one of my children…125 years old now.”
Thank you for joining us on this remarkable journey through one of Kankakee’s crown jewels. If you enjoyed this inside look, make sure to subscribe to the Kankakee Podcast, leave a review, and follow along on our social media. Special thanks to our sponsors and to all the passionate people—like Bob Bowman—who keep our stories alive!
Until next time, this is Jake LaMore, reminding you to celebrate our local treasures and nurture creativity wherever you find it.
