On a recent trip to Minnesota’s Twin Cities I discovered four great Arts and Crafts destinations-the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Museum, the Purcells-Cutt House, the Eastwood Gallery, and the Arbor Inn, which is actually located just across the river in Wisconsin.

If you like Arts and Crafts furniture you won’t be disappointed by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Museum’s Prairie School Architecture and Design display (located on the third floor). This exhibit includes a Harvey Ellis inspired desk; a Frank Lloyd Wright chair; a Greene and Greene chair; a Charles Limbert table and several example of Prairie School architecture. What is refreshing about these displays is that they’re not isolated from the admirer; but rather, simply place on a short pedestal which you can walk up to, within inches of the furniture to examine. Flash photography is also NOT prohibited.

Details about the museum can be found at their website (www.artsmia.org) or by calling 1-888-642-2787. 

Frank Lloyd Wright Easy Chair attributed to John W. Ayers, Maker, Chicago. From the Francis W. Little house; Peoria, Il.

I also visited the Purcells-Cutt House, which is an excellent example of Prairie School Architecture. The house was designed by William Purcell and George Grant Elmslie for the Purcell family. It was bequeathed to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Museum in 1985 by Anson Cutts, Jr.–the son of the house’s second owner. The house is open to the public the second weekend of each month. Reservations must be made through the museum by calling 612-870-6323. If you just want to drive by, the house is located at 2328 Lake Place, Minneapolis, MN 55405. 

An Arts and Crafts adventure wouldn’t be complete without seeing and touching original Arts and Crafts furniture that is available for purchase. In St. Paul the place to go is the Eastwood Gallery located at 404 South Snelling AVE. Curators Cam Quintal and Brian Smith have put together an exceptional collection. They focus on Stickley furniture and accessories of the American Arts & Crafts Movement. Their diverse inventory included pieces by Gustav Stickley, L. & J.G. Stickley, Stickley Brothers, Limbert, Roycroft, Rookwood pottery, Weller, Teco and Roseville pottery. Cam and Brian also run two very popular Arts and Crafts shows; The Twin Cities Arts and Crafts Show and the Arts and Crafts Chicago Show.