Grant will fund restoration work at Iowa’s Frank Lloyd Wright house

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house at Cedar Rock State Park in Quasqueton will undergo some repairs and restoration thanks to a grant provided by the Iowa Historical Resource Development Program.

The $50,000 grant, awarded to the Friends of Cedar Rock, will fund masonry work and wall restoration at the house, which was built in 1950. Specifically, the project will focus on the repair and replacement of the retaining wall that welcomes visitors to the property, as well as repairs to the masonry of the house and concrete walkways and patios.

The project is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 30, 2027.

Cedar Rock was designed by famed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who was commissioned by Lowell and Agnes Walter to design a three-season home on a parcel of land along the Wapsipinicon River. In addition to the home, Wright designed the furniture, selected carpets, chose the draperies and picked out the accessories. He also designed a two-story boat house on the property.

"We are incredibly excited and grateful to receive this HRDP grant," said Kathryn Hund, manager of Cedar Rock State Park. "This funding is crucial for maintaining the integrity of this significant historical site and ensuring it remains accessible for future generations to enjoy."

The Historical Resource Development Program, administered by the State Historical Society of Iowa, provides competitive grants to support projects that preserve, conserve, interpret, and share Iowa’s historical resources.

The grants are funded through an annual appropriation from the Iowa Legislature to the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program.