Edith Farnsworth House History
Flooding History & Site Selection Tensions (1945-present)
The house was deliberately sited in a floodplain of the Fox River.
Dr. Farnsworth herself noted this problem in 1954
Major floods (1954, 1996, 2008, 2013) with waters reaching up to 5 feet inside the structure.
Preservation vs. Adaptation Struggles (1968-present)
Lord Peter Palumbo in 1968, the house underwent significant alterations to make it more livable, including air conditioning installation and furniture changes. The National Trust’s 2003 acquisition began a complex negotiation between strict preservation, climate resilience, and financial sustainability.
2012-2014 site restoration project
Media Image vs. Physical Reality (1951-present)
The house gained architectural fame through carefully composed black-and-white photographs that emphasized its geometric purity while concealing practical problems.
Public Trust Management vs. Economic Pressures (2003-present)
The National Trust’s stewardship represents converging tensions between preservation mandates, climate adaptation needs, and financial sustainability. The trust has had to balance maintaining historical authenticity with generating revenue through tourism, events, and fundraising.