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History |
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The Fabyan Villa Museum was
the home of George and Nelle Fabyan from 1905 - 1939. It was
initially their summer home, while they lived in Chicago.
In 1907 they hired Frank Lloyd Wright to enlarge and re-model
their house on the Fox River. Soon after, they decided to make it their permanent residence, and developed their estate into a lavish showplace, complete with
fountains, gardens, swimming pools, a windmill, private zoo, tennis courts,
and more. When you visit the Villa Museum, you experience Frank
Lloyd Wright architecture as well as the unique and fascinating
Fabyan story. The Museum contains the Fabyans' private collection
of Asian artifacts, natural history specimens, Nelle's original
Mission-Style bedroom furniture and some surprises!
You will learn about the Fabyans' many contributions to society,
such as being part of the Russo-Japanese Peace Negotiations,
involvement in the Bacon/Shakespeare controversy, code-breaking
which influenced both World Wars and produced America's most
famous Cryptographer, and the generosity they bestowed on residents
of the Fox Valley Area.
The Japanese Garden, first installed c. 1909, is a tranquil
oasis where history melds with nature and theory. This special
site affords you the opportunity to simply enjoy a bit of harmony
with nature, or to learn how you might add some beauty to your
own backyard. |
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Programs
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East&West: Music in the Garden
Enjoy a unique and innovative concert on Sunday
May 11, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. postponed til
June 1st, 4 p.m. due to bad weather
in the Japanese Garden. Vocalist Summer Kwai and guitarist Steve Koerber will interweave traditional Japanese music with contemporary American jazz surrounded by the unique beauty of the Fabyan Japanese Garden.
Admission is $3.00 per person.
Lawn chairs or blankets are suggested.
Rain date is June 1st.
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Wright Exhibit at the Villa
The centennial of Frank Lloyd Wright's redesign of the Fabyan Villa was marked by an exhibit highlighting Wright's Prairie period designs, and the hallmarks of his style in the Villa. The exhibit will remain on display in 2008.
The exterior of the Villa was restored to Wright's original elements, materials, and colors in 1998. The interior remains largely as redesigned by Wright, though in need of restoration. Funds are being actively sought through grant-writing by the Kane County Forest Preserve District and Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley.
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General Information |
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Tour the 1907 Fabyan Villa:
During the public season, take
general history
tours about the Fabyans and their fabulous estate "Riverbank" on Saturdays and Sundays. Tours on Wednesdays focus on the Frank Lloyd Wright redesign of the Villa as well as the Fabyan story.
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The Japanese Garden
Restored in 1976 and replanted in 1992, the Fabyan's Japanese style garden is open,
during the public season, on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Stroll along the winding path and enjoy the views. Self-guided tour brochures available.
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Organized
Group Tours
A tour can be tailored to your individual or group's interests.
Tours can be scheduled from March through November. Outreach programs to schools, park districts, and other facilities can be scheduled throughout the year.
Please call 630.377.6424
or email fabyanvilla@ppfv.org for more information.
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The Fabyan Villa Museum
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The Fabyan Japanese Garden
One of the replica lanterns along the Japanese Garden path.
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Students explore the monkey cage
on a recent field trip.
The Rolls-Royce Club toured the Fabyan Villa during one of their summer outings. The Fabyan Forest Preserve is a great place for group events, and a Fabyan tour adds to the fun! Let us help you plan a memorable event for your group! Call 630-3777-6424.
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Volunteer
Opportunities - Villa and Garden |
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Volunteer docents relate the Fabyan history and relevance of this historic site to our visitors from May to October. This is an opportunity to contribute your time at the level you're comfortable with while enjoying interacting with people from all walks of life in an interesting, natural setting. For more information, contact Lynn Dransoff at 630-377-6424.
Find out what makes it so rewarding and fun to volunteer at the Villa Museum and Japanese Garden by clicking here: Volunteer Job Descriptions
Download a volunteer application here.
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Location and Directions |
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The Fabyan Villa
and Japanese Garden are located approximately 42 miles west of Chicago in Geneva. The Villa and Garden are in the Fabyan Forest Preserve on the west side of the Fox River, 1.25 miles south of downtown Geneva. The entrance to the parking lot of the Forest Preserve is on the east side of Rte. 31 just north of Fabyan Parkway. The Japanese Garden is just west of the parking lot, and the Fabyan Villa is west of the Garden up the hill.
For directions, click here>>Directions to the Fabyan Villa Museum and Japanese Garden
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Public Hours
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open May
17-Oct 15
as follows
1907 Fabyan Villa:
Wednesday 1-4 p.m.,
Guided history and architecture tours every ½ hour.
Saturday & Sunday, 1-4:30
p.m. Guided history tours every ½ hour.
June - August
Kid's Days!
The Villa is also open Thursdays
from 1-4 p.m.
Self-guided mystery tour and Artifact Bingo activity
Admission:
- Suggested donation: $2.00 adults, $1.00 children
- $2.00 per participant for hands-on activities.
Japanese Garden:
Wednesday and Sunday 1-4 p.m.
beginning May 18th, 2008.
Docents and Master Gardeners available for history and plant information.
Admission:
- Suggested donation: $1.00 per person
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reservations for Weddings and Photographs in the Japanese Garden: Please contact the Kane County Forest Preserve at 630-232-1242.
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Group Tours
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Private Tours
For groups of any size--2 to 200.
Available March through November.
- Fee: $4.00 per person, per site, $3.00 seniors
and children,per person, per site.
- Minimum charge of $25.00 per tour.
School Tours -April through November. Outreach programs (at the school) can be scheduled throughout the year.
3rd Grade - The Fabyans' contribution to Geneva History.
4th Grade and above - The Fabyans' and their Fabulous Estate or Frank Lloyd Wright and his Architecture at the Fabyan Villa.
Scout Programs - for Cub Scouts, Brownies, and Girl Scouts, available after school and on Saturdays, March through November.
Contact: (630) 377-6424 or
fabyanvilla@ppfv.org
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Parking |
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Free parking is available in the Forest Preserve, 1/4 mile from the Villa,and 1/2 block from the Garden. |
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Handicap access |
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Currently the Villa and Garden are not handicap accessible. Access into the Villa is by stairs. The Garden path is packed mulch or crushed gravel, and involves grade changes. Advance arrangements for site entrance drop-off can be made. |
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Photography |
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Exterior photography only is allowed of the Villa. Commercial photography of the Villa and Garden is by appointment only. The Garden is available for reservation on Saturdays, for weddings or photography. Call 630.232.1242 for more information or to make a reservation. |
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Food-Beverages |
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No food or beverages are allowed in the Villa or Garden. No food service is available in the Forest Preserve, however there are two picnic pavilions in the West Forest Preserve available for reservation (call 630-232-1242), and picnic tables throughout the preserve. |
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Tips for an enjoyable visit |
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During open hours, please allow approximately 1 hour for your guided tour of the Fabyan Villa. A walk through the Japanese Garden can take 10 to 30 minutes. Private tours of the Villa are 1 1/4 hours, and of the Garden are 30 to 45 minutes. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended. |
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