Frank Lloyd Wright addressed the challenge of creating a moderately priced American house with the Usonian house, a modestly scaled dwelling designed to be affordable, suited to modern family life, and responsive to its environment. Commissioned in 1939 by Loren Pope, the Pope-Leighey House exemplifies Usonian and mid-20th century design and expressed Wright's belief in American design for the people, unburdened by past architectural traditions. His use of wood, brick, glass, and concrete created a spacious feeling within 1,200 square feet. In 1964, Marjorie Leighey, the second owner, donated the house and its furnishings to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Because it stood in the path of Route 66 at its original site in Falls Church, Virginia, the house was relocated to Woodlawn. Today it reflects Wright's innovative designs for a modestly sized, affordable house and how two families adapted the dwelling to fit their lifestyles, while also standing as an example of preservation in action.
