Frank Lloyd Wright’s Gordon House – A Usonian Gem You Can Visit in Oregon
Earlier in March, I made a quick stop at the Gordon House in Silverton, Oregon—Frank Lloyd Wright's only building in the state. It was a spontaneous detour between my visit to Taliesin West and the Window Preservation Alliance conference. Unfortunately, I arrived too late to tour the inside, but I did have a chance to walk the grounds and take some exterior photos.
This post is a companion piece to Episode 161 of True Tales From Old Houses, where I share more about this visit and Usonian architecture.
About the Gordon House
Designed in 1957 and completed in 1963, the Gordon House is one of Wright's Usonian homes—his vision for well-designed, affordable housing for middle-class families. It was originally located near Wilsonville, Oregon, but was moved to The Oregon Garden in Silverton in the early 2000s to prevent demolition.
The Gordon House is open to the public for guided tours, and it's a great example of Wright's design principles: modest size, natural materials, and a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Even from the outside, you can see Wright's fingerprints everywhere—horizontal lines, deep overhangs, and thoughtful use of space. The exterior features red concrete walkways, lots of glass, and the kind of geometric detailing that catches your eye.
It's a beautiful setting, and even though I didn't go inside, the visit was still well worth it.
Pull up to the Gordon House and play Wright's favorite game: Find the Front Door. Wright often obscured the front entrance to encourage visitors to engage more thoughtfully with the building and its surroundings. (#drama)
Plan Your Visit
If you're heading to Oregon, you can schedule a tour of the Gordon House through their official website: thegordonhouse.org. Tours are offered by appointment, and going inside will give you a better sense of how Wright's Usonian ideas play out in a real living space.
If you haven't already, check out Episode 161 of True Tales From Old Houses.
Stacy
Host
Stacy launched True Tales From Old Houses in 2017 to connect and share stories with old house lovers and devoted DIYers. The goal of the show has always been equal parts entertainment and education. Since the launch, she has become a trusted voice in the old house community. True Tales From Old Houses was named one of "11 Great Podcasts for Preservation Fans" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. (savingplaces.org)
During the pandemic, Stacy began online and in-person window consultations. She developed a beginning-level hands-on workshop method geared towards DIYers who want to learn to repair original wood windows while providing a service to long-neglected old buildings. The inaugural workshop, affectionately known as Window Camp, took place during the summer of 2023 in Silver Lake, NY, and has continued each summer since. Stacy believes everyone's chapter one looked different, and meeting someone where they are is the best way to encourage responsible stewardship of old buildings while gently nudging people toward best practices.
Related to podcasting, she is a devoted theatre nerd with many years of public speaking and amateur acting experience.
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