When you think of the words “Henderson House,” what do you envision? If you’re a true architectural buff, you might think of the wonderful Prairie Style Gem in Illinois by Frank Lloyd Wright. If you’re an alum of the University of Chicago, for many, you think of friendships made while being a resident, as well as late-night coffee-fueled study sessions. Or maybe you’re a complete history nerd and can pick out the civil rights significance of a home in Virginia. In fact, Henderson House is not just one location, but a confluence of interesting buildings throughout America with their own interesting past.
The Prairie School Gem: F.B. Henderson House in Elmhurst
Let’s start with what is being said to be the crown jewel of the Henderson Houses, the F.B. Henderson house located in Elmhurst, Illinois. Built in 1901 at 301 S. Kenilworth Avenue, this house is frankly, the only piece of Wright’s work in Elmhurst, and as such is considered by some to be quite a treasure. Furthermore, this is an early Wright design from his time with Webster Tomlinson, which is a part of Wright’s design career that is often forgotten. The designs here further reflect an even earlier exploration of his Prairie School style that he would champion as a major movement recognizable by the world.
As you approach the Henderson House, it is a house that appears to hug the earth. The simple horizontal forms extend across the front of the project like a warm embrace as the low pitch hipped roof with broad eaves extends over the face of the house, providing an almost protective sensation. Wright meant for the house to be in dialogue with the site, not dominate the site, which at that time stood as a radical statement outside of the world of Frank Lloyd Wright. Rather than a clipped, vertical Victorian design, this house was meant to sit nestled in the site.
The magic really happens when you step inside. The interior features showcase Wright’s revolutionary design approach:
- Over 80 art glass windows flood the interior with dancing light patterns that change throughout the day
- Elegant woodwork and three brick fireplaces add warmth to the open floor plan
- The library, living room, and dining room flow into one continuous space
I suspect the Henderson family must have felt that they lived in a kaleidoscope. This wasn’t just unique for 1901, it was groundbreaking.
Upstairs, the bedrooms had corner windows that Wright placed to catch cross-breezes and morning light. There was also a large veranda that expanded the house into the outdoor living space, both further than before, while merging inside living and outside living. Every aspect embodies Wright’s organic architecture philosophy, which organically assimilates the residence into its setting.
The house was recognized and officially put on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2002, and while it is currently a private residence, it has periodically hit the real estate market and sent architecture enthusiasts into a frenzy over the possibility of ownership.
From Architecture to Academia
Shifting from suburban Illinois to the bustling Hyde Park neighborhood, we find a very different Henderson House. This one honored Charles Richmond Henderson, a sociologist who served as the University of Chicago’s first chaplain. From 1960 to 2016, Henderson House wasn’t a single building but a vibrant residential unit within the University House System.
For over five decades, Henderson House was more than just a place to sleep and study—it was a microcosm of university life. The house played a pivotal role in several key areas:
- Evolution of student housing at UChicago
- Pioneering house autonomy and co-educational residences
- Developing unique traditions and culture
- Contributing to broader changes in residence hall policies that shaped modern university living
Picture generations of students debating philosophy in common rooms, organizing intramural teams, and forging lifelong friendships over late-night pizza.
When Henderson House closed its doors as a residential unit in 2016, it marked the end of an era. Thankfully, the University archives preserved records and memorabilia, ensuring that the memories and impact of this community wouldn’t be forgotten.
Other Notable Henderson Houses
The Henderson House story extends beyond the Illinois border and is also in Virginia and Arkansas, with equally fascinating stories.
Falls Church, Virginia, is home to a Henderson House with an interesting history. Dr. E.B. Henderson and Mary Ellen Meriwether built their house in 1913 out of a Sears Kit, which you could do in those days, order an entire house from a catalog! However, this was not just a mail-order house; this house became the headquarters for civil rights activism underway in Virginia, and the Hendersons were instrumental is early efforts of the NAACP. Think about the meetings that must have happened in the house, the planning that went into strategizing, the courage that had to be mustered to advocate for equality.
And down in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, is Captain Charles C. Henderson House holds yet another American story. This house is a combination of different architectural styles, Queen Anne style with Craftsman and Neoclassical additions, all representative of the owner’s taste and the owner’s success. Captain Henderson was a business leader in his community, and so important that the university in his hometown is named Henderson State University. Clearly, the house is an indicator of potential impact by one member of the community.
The Legacy
What strikes me most about these various Henderson Houses is how they each capture a different facet of American history and culture. Consider their diverse contributions:
- Wright’s Henderson House revolutionized residential architecture, showing us how homes could work in harmony with nature
- The University of Chicago’s Henderson House shaped thousands of young minds and pioneered progressive housing policies
- The Virginia Henderson House served as a beacon of hope during the civil rights movement
- The Arkansas home represents the American entrepreneurial spirit and community building
These houses remind us that buildings are never just structures—they’re repositories of human stories, dreams, and achievements. Whether through innovative design, educational excellence, social justice, or business acumen, each Henderson House has left its unique mark on American society. They stand as monuments not just to their namesakes, but to the ideals and aspirations that built this nation, one house at a time.
