The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy has successfully acquired 11 original pieces designed by the legendary American architect for the Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The organization, which dedicates itself to preserving existing buildings by Wright, announced the rare acquisition on August 7, stating that the purchase was made possible through generous donor funding to prevent the further sale and dispersal of these historically significant items.

This acquisition represents an extraordinary step for the Conservancy, which does not typically purchase architectural artifacts. The decision came after persistent advocacy efforts and lengthy negotiations, as the organization worked to protect items that were originally covered under its preservation easement but were sold without permission in spring 2024. The primary goal is to ensure these pieces eventually return to their rightful place in the Price Tower for future visitors to experience.

The 11 acquired items include the skyscraper's original lobby direction board, an armchair, three copper tables, two stools, and four unique embossed copper panels. These artifacts are currently being stored in the Dallas area while arrangements are made for their eventual return. Each piece represents an integral part of Wright's architectural vision for the Price Tower, which holds special significance as the only skyscraper ever built by one of America's greatest architects.

Barbara Gordon, the Conservancy's executive director, emphasized that the organization's priority was keeping the artifacts together and off the private market. "The purchase allowed us to secure our easement-protected items without the uncertainty and high cost of pursuing further legal action," Gordon explained in a statement. "We're deeply grateful to the generous donors who made it possible for us to save these unique Wright-designed items."

The acquisition comes after a complex ownership dispute that was finally resolved earlier this year. In January, Price Tower changed hands for $1.4 million following a ruling by Washington County Judge Russell Vaclaw on January 21. The resolution enforced a May 2023 contract between the previous owners, known collectively as Copper Entities (Copper Tree and Green Copper Holdings), and the Tulsa-based McFarlin Building Company.

The sale concluded a six-month legal battle that was complicated by the unauthorized sale of the building's original fixtures by Copper Entities. Facing financial pressures from debts estimated at $2 million, Copper Entities had begun auctioning off Wright-designed items last summer, some of which were sold in direct breach of existing preservation agreements. However, McFarlin's purchase contract specifically required that the sale of Price Tower include all its original fixtures, including the custom items designed by Wright.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy expressed confidence that this acquisition will help preserve Wright's complete architectural vision for future generations. The organization intends for these items to once again become part of the Price Tower experience, allowing visitors to appreciate the full scope of Wright's design genius in what remains his only completed skyscraper project.