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* Open to the public
o Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
o Sundays from 1-5 p.m.
o Last tour starts 1 hr. prior to closing
* FREE admission
* No reservations needed for groups of 10 or less
* Closed on national holidays

Designed by America's most famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Meyer May House was commissioned in 1908 by a prominent Grand Rapids, Mich., clothier. A example of Wright's now-famous Prairie style of architecture, it was restored to its original concept by Steelcase and opened for visitor tours in 1987. The Meyer May House offers the public a rare opportunity to view a totally designed living environment, a composition of light, planes, and space just as Wright envisioned it in 1908.

Before restoration began, extensive research was conducted to determine the original building design. Interviews were held with relatives, neighbors and friends of the May family, Wright scholars, past building occupants, historians and local residents. Documents about Frank Lloyd Wright were also studied to pinpoint information on the Meyer May project itself and Wright's Prairie style of architecture.

Historic photos, drawings and documents were found in public institutions and private collections. These proved to be the most valuable tools in reconstructing the history of the actual structure and its contents and provided the framework for the restoration, which was completed in the fall of 1987.

Everything in the house works together to create a unified and harmonious whole. Wright carefully sited the house to allow maximum southern exposure for the living room windows and skylights and to create a spacious yard for the perennial gardens. Each red-tiled terrace, each section of art glass, each splash of color was artfully designed and placed to enhance the interior and to draw nature into the house.

Rooms in the restored Meyer May House are furnished with a mixture of original pieces, reproductions of original pieces and compatible Arts and Crafts style items from the period.

Location(s)

Average vote based on 2 reviews.

User Reviews

Incredibly respectful Restoration This house was beautifully restored, but had improvements to the building inserted without detracting from the origonal built home. Whether you are a Wright fan or just interested in viewing cutting edge design. It always amazes me to remember that these houses were built a hundred years ago amongst victorian, and georgian, and colonials. Steelecase took on the onerous task of rebuilding this home. While I wonder if the exterior painted colours are correct, it doesn't detract at all. This house is beautiful. You don't have to be a architectural afficianado or museum buff to see the beauty. Steelcases commitment is evident. The fact that they bought the house next door for presentation purposes further represents there care. Making the house tour free releases the house further from a museum tour to visiting a friends house. The docents permit people to wander much more freely than in other Wright museum houses. I wish I were a Steelecase beneficiary that was invited to an event there. to experience the quasi-living event would be awesome. Definately worth the trip. I would drive easily a hundred miles or more out of my way to return to see this house again. by Andrew Marshall on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 14:36

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I keep going back. The Meyer May house was one of the first completely restored Frank Lloyd Wright houses in the United States, and the quality of the house and the restoration keeps me coming back again and again. The tour is a good length, the guides are engaging, and the visitor experience has always been first-rate for me. If you love house museums and Wright, you'll love Meyer May. by lefever on Sun, 03/30/2008 - 19:41