Our tour lasted 2 hours. We toured three buildings. Several buildings were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. There was so much to see. We had a great tour guide - that really provided us with so much history about the S.C. Johnson family and town of Racine, WI.I would recommend this tour to everyone. The tour is only given on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Be sure to make your reservations ahead of time as the tours fill up fast.There even is a small gift shop you can purchase various books by Frank Lloyd Wright and purchase several of the products made and sold by S.C. Johnson. The products sell for half the price as sold in the stores and sales tax is included in the price of the items.
Interesting tour, but lots of steps. Had reservation for 1 hour movie at 3:30pm but was told last showing was at 2 PM. They said there is some computer issue. Best to call to confirm.
If you try to visit Frank Lloyd Wright designs whenever possible, this is a MUST. The story behind the building is fascinating, and classic Wright. And there are several Wright designs in Racine as a result of the relationship with the Johnson family.
Describe the place and the activitySay what you liked best & leastTell us what to bring (camera, walking shoes...)Say if it's a short visit or an all-day eventWe've been on a tour of the Johnson Wax Headquarters several times in the past, but when we heard the Research Tower would be open to the public for a short time this year, we rushed to get tickets. Opened in 1950, it housed all the research and development labs of the company until it was closed permanently in 1982. It just wasn't up to code any more. It is 15 stories tall but has only one skinny stairwell that is only 29" wide and one tiny elevator. To see the tower, you must go on the entire 2-hour tour that starts in the Golden Rondelle theater (you must reserve in advance. The tours are almost always sold out weeks, if not months, in advance.) Right now they are selling tickets only through December. Our tour guide said they don't know if they will continue to have the tower on the tour after that. The tour involves walking a couple of blocks outside, so if it is raining bring an umbrella. It also involves stairs. If you want to see the inside of the research tower, there is no elevator available. You must be able to climb three flights of stairs. There are very good handrails. The guide takes the group first to the Administration Building, an iconic masterpiece by Frank Lloyd Wright. Seeing this building alone is worth the entire tour, and they give you enough time to absorb the beauty of the space. The guide does not talk non-stop, which is nice, but if you have questions you can go up and ask him and he is well-informed. There is an area with six of FLW's desks and infamous three-legged chairs set up so that you can sit in one and experience what it might have been like to work in this incredible place. The next stop was a round room I don't remember from other tours. It was the PR center (I think). It has a gorgeous circular ceiling made of the glass tubes seen throughout the FLW buildings on the campus. After that, a tunnel leads to the research tower. We were rushed through the tunnel, which was unfortunate because there were interesting photos of the construction of the buildings and watercolor elevations done by FLW that I could have spent more time looking at. I wish there was more of this kind of display on the tour. All the exterior glass of the research tower consists of horizontal tubes of glass. All the floors of the research tower are cantilevered off the central core. Alternately, the floors are either square -- reaching all the way to the exterior glass -- or circular -- like mezzanines, open to the floor below. The tour takes visitors to one square floor and its adjoining mezzanine. Beakers and bottles and microscopes and notebooks were strewn around to make it look like the labs were functioning. They also had video screens showing old commercials for Raid, Glade, Pledge, etc., all of which were developed in these labs. The guides really didn't say much in here, instead allowing 20 minutes to look around. There are memos and letters to and from FLW and "Hib" Johnson and contractors working on the projects. I read a few of them but there really wasn't time to see it all. I thought the upper of the two floors was more interesting than the lower, so I would recommend starting up there, especially if you are interested in FLW. I definitely would have liked more time in the research tower. So far, this part of the tour took about an hour. The second hour is spent being indoctrinated into the cult of the Johnson family and Johnson products. There is a long tunnel with exhibits explaining the different products made by the company. Seeing bottles that are familiar from one's past can be a bit nostalgic, but really this part of the tour is not that interesting. From there, the guide gives a talk about the five Johnson men who have run the company over the years. Make sure to see the LEGO research tower displayed in this area. There's a short (4-min) film showing the construction of Fortaleza Hall (designed by Norman Foster) and then the group is given 20 minutes to roam this new building. Off the main hall, there is some gallery space. There is not that much to see in the main hall, so the gallery is the place to go. I got the impression the exhibits might change from time to time, but when we were there it was on the two Taliesens, Arizona and Spring Green, and featured photos and blueprints as well as furniture designed by FLW. Like other reviewers, I was disappointed that no pictures were allowed. There is a gift shop where I would have been eager to buy a book with pictures of the inside of the research tower, but nothing like that was available. Overall, this is an amazing chance to see two of FLW's most famous buildings. I can't rate this tour highly enough, and I certainly hope they are able to leave the research tower on the tour for years to come.
I took a great tour of the Wright-designed administration building and research tower, as well as the relatively new Fortaleza building. It's great fun. The administration building is gorgeous, and it's fun to get into the research tower.I wish we could have lingered in the administration building just a bit longer. They keep a tight schedule and you are definitely monitored so you don't stray far. But there's a lot of ground to cover and people to wrangle, and they do a good job. I recommend this tour. It's a lot of fun!
A special place that reflects the ingenuity and dedication to man's best efforts and forward looking imaginations. This architectural wonder and thoughtful design is and was an inspiration to the people who worked there, the city in which it resides and the entire world.
One of the best tours and visits of Frank Lloyd Wright structures. Also a great introduction to the SC Johnson family and business. Thanks to the Johnson families for continuing this gift. Very informative and considerate staff. What a treasure!
SC Johnson provides free tours of its historic headquarters building along with its historic research lab, both designed by FL Wright. The company tour provides insights into mid century office workspace and prairie style architecture. The research lab, is a very unique mid century building but with an astonishing small staircase limiting access which you learn doesn't meet todays minimum codes for occupancy. This is a tour for anyone interested in American Prairie Style Architecture and provides a unique view of workspace created by the master architect wright.
If you wish to go on the SC Johnson tour, be sure to book online to reserve your slot. Definitely worth a visit to see the iconic HQ of the Johnson Family Co.Great to learn of the 5 generations of the Johnson family, their vision as well as their partnership with Frank Lloyd Wright who designed their HQ.Very interesting indeed! Only setback is that no photography is allowed within the buildings.Tours are free.
The tour of the newly restored Research Tower, as well as other buildings was well worth the two hours of time. Several buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Very well done tours with informative guides for small group tours. Unfortunately the tours get booked very far in advance so last minute tours are usually not available but worth trying for. Great history of the successes of a great company!