Friends of
Historic Preservation
Iowa City, Iowa
Virtual Tours & Events
Iowa City
The Pentacrest Museum is working to create virtual tours of their exhibits. Hard Won, Not Done: A Century's Struggle is the first available.
Those who travel north of Iowa City on Highway 1 are often intrigued by an attractive house with unusual roof lines that is tucked on the knoll of a hill surrounded by trees. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Iowa landmark is reminiscent of the popular Prairie School style of architecture. Iowa City Architect Roland Wehner and his wife Marilyn designed and built their house at 3112 Highway 1 NE in 1959 (History for Lunch series)
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History for Lunch - Salvaging History for the Future. Marlys Svendsen has undertaken historic preservation projects in Iowa City for more than 20 years. She takes a look back at municipal preservation planning projects, historical neighborhood surveys in the East Jefferson Street, Northside, Goosetown, Downtown and the Melrose Avenue neighborhoods and others.
U.S.A.
Farnsworth House, Plano, - Mies van der Rohe- Virtual Reality tour
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Villa Lewaro (Irvington, NY) this virtual tour has narration from Madam C.J. Walker's great-great granddaughter, A'Lelia Bundles. The tour includes four interior rooms, terrace, swimming pool, and front of the home.
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Nina Simone's childhood home
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Explore an example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian homes, a series of single-story, modestly sized residences that reflect Wright’s desire to design an affordable and well-designed home for the average American. Built in 1939, the Pope-Leighey House is owned and operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is located in Alexandria, Virginia.
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Overlooking the Hudson River in Tarrytown, New York, is Lyndhurst, one of America’s finest Gothic Revival mansions. Designed in 1838 by Alexander Jackson Davis, its architectural brilliance is complemented by the park-like landscape of the estate and a comprehensive collection of original decorative arts. A collection of virtual tours are available.
International
Xian Warriors virtual tour is AMAZING. Jump down from the tourist walkways to “walk” among the 8,000 some warriors and hundreds of chariots and horses, all in battle position. Zoom in to see traces of colorful paint on their unique expressions. Pan around to the rock and ponder what lies beyond. (not in English-- just click around and explore!)
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Krakow, Poland: Use the legend at the top to select from types of views, like incredible aerial views of the city, walking tours, and iconic buildings and museums. Easily click on icons to explore specific sights, which include commentary and interior views. To change the commentary to English, look for the flag icon in the top-right corner and change it to the British flag.