Neils-McGee Residence collection

The residence documented by the materials in this collection was designed in 1949 by Frank Lloyd Wright, famed architect whose works are well-known. This is one of the few buildings in Minnesota designed by Wright and is generally considered to be designed with Wright's "Usonian" principles in mind. It is located on the shores of one of the Minneapolis Metro area lakes and takes advantage of its site overlooking the lake. As well, the house incorporates the use of materials unusual for Wright, including marble procured by the owner, and aluminum window frames.

Henry J. Neils, the owner who commissioned Wright for the design of the residence, was head of the Flour City Ornamental Iron Company. At the end of World War II his firm, which had provided aluminum bridge and pontoon materials to the United States Government, found itself with a surplus of aluminum. Neils turned the firm toward the creation of prviate consumer goods using this surplus aluminum, products which included AlumaCraft boats and construction products such as curtain walls of aluminum. It was his knowledge of and affinity for the latter that inspired him to specify the aluminum frames for the windows in his residence.

This house has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and has City of Minneapolis Landmark status. The McGee family members were only the second owners of the residence.