|
This studio is in the house built for William F. and Ella Van Bergen, John's parents, where he grew up. This was his home until he moved to Highland Park in 1920.
Despite at least two major remodelings of the original 1893 Victorian house, it is amazing that Van Bergen's first studio remains after so many years! The studio is partly intact but in deteriorating condition. The walls are plaster with a sand finish and still have the original buff-yellow and green colors. Still intact are some wood (pine) trim and casings. There are also some shelves and built-in drawers.
Still remaining are three leaded stained glass windows; in the entry door to the attic, the entry door to studio and one of three windows over what was probably the location of the drafting table. These windows are from Frank Lloyd Wright's Fricke House, next door. The floor is rough wide pine planks like the rest of attic with wide base boards. There may have been rugs or carpeting covering the floors at one time. The three dormers that were on the front (west) of the house have been removed as a result of remodeling in the 1940's, as has the chimney that went up inside the house and was on the North wall of the studio.
|
|
