When it comes to architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most recognizable names in the world. “The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright” was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2019 – a rare recognition highlighting the creativity and impact of an individual designer. During a conversation moderated by Gabrielle Phifer of NBC4 – Daytime Columbus, we will explore the key qualities of Wright’s work and its enduring appeal to wide audiences in the context of one specific example – the Westcott House in Springfield, Ohio.

The Westcott House, designed 1906-1908, is Frank Lloyd Wright’s only Prairie style house in the state of Ohio. In the early 1940s, the substantial alterations affected the architecture so significantly that it no longer reflected the design intent of its architect. Due to these drastic changes, the house remained an undiscovered relic for many years- a lost Wright artifact. Thanks to the cooperative efforts of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy and the Westcott House Foundation, today the Westcott House is a fully restored significant example of Wright’s legacy, serving the public through a rich offering of tours, programs and events.

Marta Wojcik has been involved with Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House for two decades, first as the museum’s curator, and, since 2010, as executive director & curator. Wojcik grew up in Krakow, Poland, where she earned her Master’s in Art History at Jagiellonian University. At Westcott, she has successfully spearheaded many innovative programs recognized and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Marta presented on the importance of built environment and creative placemaking at TEDxDayton (“Building Memories”). She is a 2021 recipient of the Wright Spirit Award for outstanding leadership as executive director & curator of the Westcott House.

Reaghan Doppelt is the Operations Assistant at the Westcott House. She has been involved with the site since 2019 and has held her current position since 2022. Reaghan enjoys working with visitors and volunteers, encouraging them to slow down and appreciate the experience of the museum space. She is passionate about preservation and design. In 2024, Reaghan was honored as a Thorpe Fellow at the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy’s annual conference in Detroit. When not at work, she tries to spend time outside – hiking and exploring.

Gabrielle Phifer is a lifestyle reporter for NBC4 Daytime Columbus. Before moving to Central Ohio, Gabrielle was the morning reporter for WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She began her career in her home state of Arkansas as a bureau chief, reporter and fill-in anchor at KTVE/KARD. She received her undergraduate degree from University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism.

When Gabrielle isn’t on air, she may be emceeing an event around the city or volunteering behind the scenes at her church as a technical director and camera operator. Community has forever been a cherished value to her. She’s a longtime youth mentor who enjoys speaking with students about her career and encouraging them to be the best they can be.

Gabrielle is a member of New Salem Baptist Church, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated – Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter, National Association of Black Journalists and she’s an ambassador for the American Cancer Society’s Voices of Black Women initiative which aims to understand and improve the health of Black women across the country.

Register for this free event: https://www.simpletix.com/e/innovation-tragedy-rebirth-frank-lloyd-wri-tickets-214533

Venue Details

Fairfield County District Library, 3rd Floor Auditorium

219 North Broad Street
Lancaster, Ohio 43130