Wisconsin author to appear at Wright designed warehouse

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis (CIVIC MEDIA) – Art and architecture meet this Saturday in Richland Center.

The A.D. German Warehouse, designed by Richland Center native Frank Lloyd Wright, will play host to author Jim Draeger. Draeger, co-author of Bottoms Up: A Toast to Wisconsin’s Historic Bars & Breweries and Fill’er Up: The Glory Days of Wisconsin Gas Stations.

Jim Draeger is a Wisconsin author who has worked in the field of historic preservation and architecture at the Wisconsin Historical Society for more than 20 years, most recently as the State Historic Preservation Officer.

The History Makers Tour stop in Richland Center will be held Saturday (March 29) at 2:00p at the A.D. German Warehouse.

Admission to Saturday’s event is free.

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright did business with wholesaler Albert Dell German in the early 1900’s. In exchange for unpaid bills, Wright designed a new warehouse for German in Richland Center, Wisconsin. His use of double-brick walls created a cold storage environment without mechanical refrigeration. The projected $30,000 warehouse began construction in 1917. By 1921, with over $125,000 spent, German was forced to halt work and eventually lost the building through bankruptcy proceedings. The building was later used to store sugar, flour, coffee and tobacco, but has since been converted to house a gift shop, small theater, and a gallery of Wright’s work.

(Bonus content) The A.D. German warehouse in Richland Center undergoes restoration and rehabilitation.

The A.D. German Warehouse is located at 300 S Church St in Richland Center.

* Historical information obtained from FrankLloydWright.org.

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