You say “Nordic Museum” they say “Nordiska museet” — either way it is a great museum of Swedish cultural history from the Early Modern age to the current age, which, in theory, is even more modern.

The museum is in Stockholm, Sweden on an island known as Djurgården, or “The Royal Game Park,” which houses the popular Gröna Lund amusement park and other tourist and recreation areas.

The building was supposed to be three times its actual size and was built in the Danish Renaissance style rather than more traditional Swedish architecture. Scandal!

I’ve never been to Sweden, but it’s on my short list. I’m a sucker for Danish Renaissance style. Also amusement parks.

This post is part of the Uptake Monday Museums, Monuments and Memorials Series.

Photo: rieh via Flickr

The Frank Lloyd Wright Tour

Other cities may claim Frank Loyd Wright but it’s Chicago, or more specifically Oak Park, where he  lived and developed his famous prairie style architecture.  I’m not all that into architecture but living in Oak Park and seeing the broad eves of the elongated roofs and lengthy bands of windows on these houses is fascinating.  They do slightly resemble the Japanese homes that influenced him. People from all over the world visit Oak Park just to get a glimpse of these imposing buildings. Read More »

The entrance of the Hotel Valley Ho

The Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona, was established in 1956 and is replete with Arizona culture and history. The hotel enjoyed an extensive remodel in 2005, but much of the original fantastic and retro architectural charm exists today. In celebration of the hotel’s history, the Valley Ho is hosting twice-weekly Architectural Walking Tours that highlight the classic design elements of the hotel. Learn of the history and legends associated with its famous Hollywood guests as you are led by architectural expert Ace Bailey. The cost is $19.56 per person. Make the evening a romantic event by booking a room, reserving a couple’s spa treatment, and enjoying a lovely meal at Cafe Zuzu.

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Taliesin West, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, is an estate designed and built by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The property was built as his personal residence, where he lived until his death in 1959 at the age of 92. The property is currently the main campus of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture.

Tours of the property are offered year-round – the most popular of which is the 90-minute “Insights” tour, which features the newly restored living quarters and “Garden Room”. Other tours feature outbuildings and hiking paths throughout the surrounding Sonoran Desert. A three-hour “behind the scenes” tour is offered for architecture enthusiasts. Select dates during the Christmas season feature the 2-Hour “Holiday Night Lights”, during which refreshments are served and carols entertain the visitors as they view the property decked out in holiday splendor.

Taliesin West is located at 12621 North Frank LLoyd Wright Blvd in Scottsdale. The entrance is located at the intersection of Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd and Cactus Road. Parking is free and tour tickets can be purchased in the Gift Shop, which is close to the main parking lots. A variety of pricing packages (from $18 to $55) are available depending on which parts of the property you wish to tour. Reservations are recommended.

Photo credits (in order of appearance):
- “Taliesin West” by Bluecanary Dreams on Flickr Creative Commons.
- “Taliesin West Interior” by AndyB on Flickr Creative Commons.
- “Taliesin West” by Khamis Hammoudeh on Flickr Creative Commons.