RACINE, Wis., May 19, 2017 – SC Johnson, the maker of trusted brands like Glade®, Raid®, Scrubbing Bubbles® and Ziploc®, is prepared to host visitors celebrating the 150th birthday of famed-architect Frank Lloyd Wright. While June 8 marks Wright’s birthday, free public tours of the company’s Wright-designed buildings are available now.
A short drive south of Milwaukee, the SC Johnson world headquarters is home to two Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings—the Administration Building (opened in 1939), including the office of third-generation leader, H.F. Johnson Jr., and the Research Tower (opened in 1950). Both buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.
“The Johnson family’s commitment to excellence and Frank Lloyd Wright’s visionary design have gone hand-in-hand for 80 years,” said Kelly M. Semrau, Senior Vice President – Global Corporate Affairs, Communication and Sustainability at SC Johnson. “Working in a Wright-designed building is inspiring; the great design sparks creative thinking. These buildings have been home to so many remarkable points in SC Johnson’s history.”
In 2015, the company expanded its free tour to include the newly-restored office of H.F. Johnson Jr. located in the third floor of the Administration Building. The office has been restored back to its earliest state, including the original Wright-designed desk.
The display also includes personal photos and products that were the foundation upon which the company was built. Products like Glo-Coat®, Dance Wax® and Johnson’s Auto Wax® were tremendously popular in the early days of the “Johnson’s Wax” company.
Opening the office for tours provides visitors with yet another look into SC Johnson’s rich history and family legacy. The relationship between Wright and Johnson seemed to define Wright’s career as much as it defined the SC Johnson global headquarters in Racine.
H.F. Johnson Jr. commissioned Wright to build two company buildings and his own home. He sums up this decision by saying, “In my own mind, I say that if one is in mind to build, the building should be a good one or none at all.”
In 2016, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail was established, connecting many of Wright’s architectural sites across Wisconsin to make it easier for tourists from around the globe to experience and enjoy Wright’s legacy in his home state. The Trail includes nine stops in southern Wisconsin.
SC Johnson welcomes visitors to experience its Wright-designed buildings Thursday through Sunday. H.F. Johnson Jr.’s office is included only during the Saturday and Sunday tours. Tours are now available. While the tours are free, reservations are required. To learn more about SC Johnson’s free tours and to make a reservation, visit www.scjohnson.com/visit
About SC Johnson
SC Johnson is a family company dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, pest control and shoe care, as well as professional products. It markets such well-known brands as GLADE®, KIWI®, OFF!®, PLEDGE®, RAID®, SCRUBBING BUBBLES®, SHOUT®, WINDEX® and ZIPLOC® in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN®, TANA®, BAMA®, BAYGON®, BRISE®, KABIKILLER®, KLEAR®, MR MUSCLE® and RIDSECT®. The 131-year-old company, which generates $10 billion in sales, employs approximately 13,000 people globally and sells products in virtually every country around the world. www.scjohnson.com
