While, off the bat, one would most likely not be interested in touring a business facility for fun, I actually made the conscious decision. It's free -- you just need to book in advance online! If you're interested in Frank Lloyd Wright and the history of SC Johnson, or even if you're not, it's still an interesting tour. I couldn't book the 2 hour tour that added other Wright sites, but it was still a good tour nonetheless. Bathroom breaks are limited; be sure to use the ones in the Golden Rondelle building, which is where you check in and meet for the tour (arrive 15 minutes prior). Each person must have a physical photo ID on them, only water is permitted on the tour (no food or other beverages), and no photography is allowed inside the buildings. It was a large group tour with adults and kids. The kids were well behaved, but as a younger child, depending on their interests, it may not appeal to them. They do offer a Jr. Architect badge for children -- I overheard the guide offer one to a teenager. I later asked if I could have one. She humored me. Our tour guide Dawn was great -- an enthusiastic speaker who kept the group engaged. She also did a fantastic job taking pictures of me and my family in front of the FLW desk in the Rondelle Center. It's imperative to have your physical photo ID, not just a picture of it. Two people arrived with only photos of their IDs and were initially turned away. The manager later contacted the guide and they were allowed to join. They have free postcards you can write and they'll mail them for you in the check-in area, along with magnets and some stickers. Bathroom breaks are limited to the Rondelle Center and, at the end, Fortaleza Hall, where the Lily Pad gift shop is located. During the tour you must wear a lanyard tracker and stick with the group. A security guard follows the last person to ensure this. The tour isn't fully handicap accessible and they don't supply wheelchairs. The part most likely to be inaccessible is the research tower, which contains a narrow concrete spiral staircase and steep steps. My father-in-law rested on a bench outside; the security guard stayed with him and took him into a building that showed a video of the research tower interior, which was nice for him. We entered the research tower first, then headed into the administration building (there's a low-grade ramp to the entrance). You learn about the infrastructure and desks, which were quite interesting: you can see the lily pad columns and sit in one of Wright's ergonomic chairs at the desks. I think they mentioned there are only three original walnut Wright desk tops -- one in the Guggenheim, one at the Institute of Science in Chicago, and one in Racine. Wright was definitely brilliant and talented, but from the stories about his interactions with SC Johnson, he could also be extremely resistant to legitimate complaints-- narcissistic, stubborn, and dismissive -- from his three-legged office chairs to the Pyrex tubes he designed for the windows to shield what he called the "abhorrent" views of Racine. Haha. You can see his influence on the Art Deco movement and modernism, as well as his imprint on organic architecture. The last building was Fortaleza Hall, named after the city in Brazil that one of the Johnson family visited; that trip changed his perspective and opened his eyes to philanthropy. The plane on display is a replica of the plane Johnson flew to Brazil. Fortaleza Hall has an elevator and was also designed by renowned architect Norman Foster. Inside Fortaleza Hall it's not extensive; 15 minutes felt a bit too short in my opinion because my husband and I went to the Lily Pad gift shop first, as recommended by our guide. I did breeze through it and found some interesting tidbits. Overall, I highly recommend it -- but book in advance online! read more

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Holy security. We took a tour on a Sunday and showed up at the proper time. ***NOTE: If you are going on a tour - park in the small lot by the gold flying saucer looking building. It's to the left of the front gate. Walk into that building. I really liked the tour - we had to cut ours short to get to Wingspread in time. The security guards were accommodating and walked us back to the main entrance so we could leave. I would recommend this tour - not my favorite but still very cool, and another off the master list of places to visit. read more

SC Johnson Headquarters - Tours Near Me - Racine, Wisconsin

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SC Johnson Headquarters tour was the last stop on my Frank Lloyd Wright Wisconsin trip and it ended up being a great finale. The tour is free, you just have to register online. The headquarters has free parking and then you check in at the Golden Rondells, which was originally part of the World's Fair and then moved to Racine. The staff was nice and friendly and our guide was wonderful; over the course of the tour we found out that she was previously a research scientist at SC Johnson. The tour takes you through the outside of the buildings where you can see the glass tubes which are a primary exterior design feature. We got to learn much of the history of SC Johnson and how Wright became involved. I had seen pictures of the interior of the Administration Building yet actually walking in was incredibly impressive. The actual room feels revolutionary; the Wright designed desks clearly influenced office furniture design. The columns that are the defining element of the room are unique and combined with the open space, the translucent ceiling and curved elements the main room is awesome. What a revolutionary design. Next up was the Research Tower which the company has renovated and opened for the tour. It is amazing to see how Wright designed a building that had such technical requirements. Working in this environment must have been inspirational. We did get to go down to the basement and through the system of tunnels to the Fortaleza Hall which shows some of the SC Johnson history. The hall is impressive and really well designed. A cannot miss tour, the architecture is awesome, the tour is well done and SC Johnson managed to over deliver. The fact that SC Johnson has maintained and renovated these Frank Lloyd Wright buildings and offered a free tour is such a wonderful community service. If you are anywhere near to Racine schedule a tour you will not regret it. read more

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SC Johnson is another historic company that my family has purchased products from for years. My daughter and I have continued to buy their products. I'm going to post photos of some of my favorites. Recently I decided I will only use slider bags. I can't deal with the other closure in my old age. I'm so happy that the quart size meets my needs. I also love their gallon slider freezer bags. I can't recommend enough! When I love a product price doesn't matter. I've got a huge box that will last long time! read more

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Highly recommended to take the all inclusive tour that includes the new wax commons (Airplane suspension & beautiful forest green waterfall). It provides a stark contrast to architecture then & now. The tour runs for about 2 hours with easy walking. Frank Lolyd Wright's signature style is apparent throughout. SC Johnson is a CPG company but the tour is about Frank Lolyd Wright's design of the 2 buildings. Admin & Research. read more

SC Johnson Headquarters - Tours Near Me - Racine, Wisconsin

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MUST SEE! It's free! Make a reservation weeks in advance! If you are interested in Frank Lloyd Wright, you are in for an incredible treat. I am going to be right up front about this, we almost did not go because you are not allowed to take photos inside. We love to take architectural pictures and hear about design and history. But we were so happy we went. Note: You will need to walk quite a bit, but we found it a very pleasant walk. The staff there is so very very friendly and informative. You can tell that the family that owns the company truly cares about preserving the architecture. It is very heartening. The Tower, the Administrative Office, the former President's office, the Frank Lloyd Wright furniture, and the visitor center at the end are all fascinating. The design of the "windows" in the Tower are an amazing surprise. AND there is a wonderful treat at the end. When you get to the visitor center at the end of the tour (the place where the plane it), immediately head back to see the Frank Lloyd Wright models. I have never seen as many models of his works in one place ever. Let me also take a moment to thank the Johnson (?) family for their efforts to preserve and share their facility. So is this tour worth going all the way to Racine for? Couple the tour with a visit to the Racine Art Museum and a bite at Kewpee Lunch or Dragon Pit BBQ, maybe coffee at Wilson's Coffee & Tee and you have a day well-spent. Sorry, my photos are only of the exterior. read more

SC Johnson Headquarters - Visitor Center - Tours Near Me - Racine, Wisconsin

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I found the whole place of interest. The guide was excellent. Great history of a great company. Well worth the visit.

So worth going, such a great and FREE tour with knowledgeable guides. Easy afternoon with kiddos, might be a little tough to navigate with anyone who has trouble with stairs. read more

Absolutely a must do for any fan of architecture and design. The administration main room has to be one of the top rooms in all of the US, easily comparable to grand central station (if you like that sort of thing), 30th st station in Philadelphia, and the Guggenheim. What a space. Unfortunate that it is no longer used, but it is lovingly cared for by this absolutely amazing company which remains in little Racine after well after a century. I will also say that the research tower is an equally incredible experience. Thank you to SC Johnson for making this free. Again do not miss it under any circumstances, even if you are just staying in Chicago. read more

Yoo hoo! Calling all Frank Lloyd Wright devotees!! Over here, in Racine, WI..... Frank Lloyd Wright struggled off and on in his career, but when he found a client who shared his vision (and had the budget to indulge Mr. Wright), magical things happened. Herbert Johnson, then President of the S.C. Johnson Wax company, was one such visionary and in 1936 construction of this modern masterpiece began. The building was meant to be the world headquarters of Johnson Wax, a working building and, is in fact, still operating in that capacity today. Wright wanted it to be a "living" building, a free and open space that would be a stimulating place to work. Later, he said of this building "There in the Johnson Building you catch no sense of enclosure whatever at any angle, top or sides....Interior space comes free, you are not aware of any boxing in at all. Restricted space simply is not there. Right there where you've always experienced this interior constriction you take a look at the sky!" The Johnson Wax company has carefully maintained the integrity of the building and the interior, so it is on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. It is utterly breathtaking to see the interior of the Great Workroom just as Frank Lloyd Wright envisioned it, still operating as an office today, right down to the desks he selected! It is a wide open space, filled with Wright's dendriform columns, a miracle of engineering in themselves. The tour guides do a great job of walking visitors through the struggles and complexities of the building. I could go on forever about this place, but any number of websites out there will do a better job as I'm neither an architect or an historian, merely a fan of FLW. An amazing building that has been wonderfully preserved, it is absolutely worth a visit. Sure, you have to get schooled on the Johnson Wax company at the end of the tour, but I didn't mind as this company has done such a wonderful job preserving this gem. Love Frank Lloyd Wright? Get thee to Racine! Be sure to call ahead of visiting as the tours sell out and reservations are strongly encouraged. read more

SC Johnson Headquarters - Tours Near Me - Racine, Wisconsin

Phenomenal! The tour of the SC Johnson Wax Headquarters is a must-do activity for anyone interested in architecture, design, corporate history, or Frank Lloyd Wright. Our tour guide, Trisha, was wonderful. She was warm and engaging and full of information. They allow a lot of access to all the buildings on campus, and plenty of time to see everything. The 2 hours flew by. This is one of the best cultural tours I've ever participated in. Racine is not far from either Chicago or Milwaukee, and is well worth the detour. read more

Absolutely loved this tour! Our tour guide was wonderful. He explained things well and interacted with our group. I wished that they showed us more of the administrative building, especially the downstairs since the spiral staircases are so intriguing! I really enjoyed looking at the Research Tower and I am so glad that they have kept it open to the public for tour and historical purposes. Frank Lloyd Wright may have had some crazy ideas but without his thought process, we wouldn't have these beautiful buildings that still stand here today! read more

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I've had this tour on my bucket list, because the SC Johnson office complex is THE iconic (to me) Frank Lloyd Wright commercial building. The architecture was great but what really made the tour was how informative our tour guide was. He had great details on the nuts and bolts of the why of some of the FLW touches, such as how he managed the open floor space with the stemlike columns. The tour gave great insight as to both the genius and foibles of this great architecture giant. I'd go as far as to say it was probably one of the best tours I've ever the pleasure of taking. An extra treat was going on Sunday, as we were able to go up to the second story of the main office building as well as climb up the research and development tower. read more

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Amazing Frank Lloyd Wright building, worth the trip. I went during COVID so no tour available but the grounds were remarkable

We visited here on our Memorial day weekend. This was before our visit to Wingspread. So, it was helpful to find out that the tour started here in the golden dome visitor center. Then, our tour guide split us into two groups. We got the tour of the administration building which had pretty amazing ideas for the workplace. My wife and I work in Twin Cities and our new building at work has the same open concept. So, it is pretty interesting to find that Frank Lloyd Wright wanted something so unique like open concept workspace. Also, we got to see the "lilypads" which made the workspace seem like a soothing and relaxing setting under a shaded canopy. Afterwards, we walked to the research wing where we went up 2 flights of stairs to see the lab space for the scientists. In the end, we walked through the hallway to the Foster + Partners-designed Fortaleza Hall with an actual plane replica inside. We had an opportunity to visit the "Lilypad" gift shop and then quickly were escorted back to the visitor center. Overall, this is an experience not to be missed:) read more

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Great tour, but the architecture is in the "eye of the beholder." I personally don't care for Frank Lloyd Wright's brand of architecture. It's not practical, and it's more show than go. He also designed the now infamous "three legged" chairs and actually ended up scrapping this idea when he, himself, fell out of one of his own designs. It's worth a peek...only because it's free. read more

This is such an exceptional tour that one wonders where to begin. The corporation has sponsored a free bus service (reservations are required) to the Frank Lloyd Wright facilities in Racine, WI from downtown Chicago. The docents are first-class, and the bus driver skilled and friendly. Lunch is for purchase at a local bakery (orders are taken on the bus); indeed the project has been extremely well-planned by S.C. Johnson and Company and intended to benefit the City of Racine, WI. Before the tour date I was concerned about the accessibility issues related to the research tower; there are about 30 steps in a narrow hallway ascending to the site and descending from it. (The Tower is not currently in use due to the lack of accessibility and emergency evacuation issues.) No further accessibility challenges exist on campus except for Wingspread, which is a conference center and once a private home. Pictures are allowed of exteriors, not interiors as the campus is actively in use by the corporation. Pictures may be taken at Wingspread. The bus tour is intended to continue to early January 2018. Check the webpage for details about the tour being re-funded for fall 2018. Not to be missed. read more

One of Frank Lloyd Wright's most impressive corporate works, the S.C. Johnson Wax headquarters in Racine is a must stop for architecture buffs. I found it only mildly annoying to sit through a film highlighting the S.C. Johnson family of products and its history. This is a small price to pay to see the remarkable open interior of the Johnson Wax building, one of the most admired spaces in all of American commercial architecture. It's almost inconceivable that it was built 75 years ago, given how modern it seems. But that is true of much of his body of work. The mushroom columns which taper toward the floor are iconic and the furniture was especially designed for the space. Wright used a special color he called as "Cherokee Red" to accent the interior and its furnishings. The remarkable research tower was unavailable to tour when I visited due to safety concerns, but I understand that it has recently been refurbished and open to the public. read more

Tours can be taken that include the original administration building, research tower, and museum containing a working replica of the Carnuba plane flown by one of the founders to South America to seek out carnuba wax. The administration and reseach tower buildings were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. read more

SC Johnson Headquarters - Research Tower is open for tours - Tours Near Me - Racine, Wisconsin

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From my earliest days as a young architecture student in California, I loved the SC Johnson Administration Building from afar. Now, I've been able to finally touch one of the dendriform columns, sit in one of Wright's office chairs, and look up at the glass-tube ceiling lit up by a bright Wisconsin sky. This is architectural heaven. The 90-minute docent-led tour includes a trip up into the lower floors of the less well-known 14-story Research Tower, a mad scientist's dream preserved in beautiful detail. The tour ends in Fortaleza Hall (designed in collaboration with A Epstein and Sons Inc. (Architects Chicago), Ralph Appelbaum Associates (Experience Design New York), Buro Happold (Structural Engineering New York) and Cosentini Associates (MEP Engineering Chicago). This isn't a Wright building, and it's utter lack of human scale is a dead giveaway. Nor does Fortaleza Hall add anything aesthetically to the primarily Wright-designed corporate campus. But the lower level does house a small gallery where you can see twenty-six models of some of Wright's exemplar designs rendered beautifully by retired Janesville architect, Ron Olsen. There ere are also nice photos and several pieces of FLLW-designed furniture here. Although I suspect given it's jumbo-scale 'wow' factor, many visitors are probably more taken by Fortaleza Hall than by Wright's designs that, even when large, live on the human scale. A big thank you to the nice folks at SC Johnson who have lovingly preserved these 20th-century masterpieces, and who make them available to the public free of charge. As we saw recently in Whitefish, Montana where the philistines in the dead of night bulldozed the Lockridge Medical Clinic which Wright designed in 1958 near the end of his life, you can never take these things for granted; go see them while you can! read more

If you are Frank Lloyd Wright fan, then you already know about the famous dendriform columns inside the main administrative building on the Johnson Wax property...so this facility becomes a "must see" if you are venturing anywhere in the area for the die-hard FLW fans! Johnson Wax is a privately held family company which has maintained their unique FLW structures while continuing to use parts of the buildings which are allowed by today's fire codes. The shining tower is currently off limits because it cannot pass fire egress codes for safety, so they vacated it a number of years ago. The tour guide said they mostly use if for storage now but they do make sure that it is well maintained as it sits sort of in the center of the main campus. The administrative building however remains in daily use. When we were visiting this summer, they had scaffolding all over the place and were carefully restoring the glass ceiling of the building and removing plexi-glass which was installed many years ago due to the leakages caused by the weather extremes in the area. The glass tubing FLW used to diffuse the light and caulks of the time really did not tolerate the extremes well. This design also provided a wrapping form for the buildings. There is a lot to say about this site but as another reviewer pointed out, there are many websites to study before taking this tour. While the tour is free, you must sign up well in advance as the slots fill up quickly and they only give tours on certain days. Call an speak with someone and make sure you have your reservation. You will also get to see the newest structure on the properly which guides you through the history of the Johnson Wax company and its family of leaders. BTW, the glass used in this new building is amazing - be sure to ask about it if they fail to mention it. Touring the new facility will be the first leg of the tour, while visits to the FLW structures will be in the second leg. All of these FLW structures have and are being carefully preserved by the Johnson Way company, so be sure to thank your tour guides. The guides also do a splendid job of taking you through the properties and they were quite adept and answering some of the more esoteric questions. Now get over to Racine, WI to see these! read more

The tour of the FLW buildings was enjoyable and highly recommended. It only comprised the first hour of the 2 hour tour - and we wish we could have lingered longer exploring the buildings. However, the second part, a visit to the 2010 Norman Foster building was interesting enough, although we came to see Wright not Foster. Fifteen minutes was long enough. But then the guests are forced to take a tour of the Johnson Wax museum exhibit, as it were, very commercial, of the history of the company. Then to make matters worse, we had to sit though a film on the family's values. The tour guide even pointed out quotes from Johnson, inlaid into the Foster interior. Very hubristic indeed. Who cares what he has to say? We didn't come to here about the Johnsons, their philosophy or their product line. Then you are guided into a gift shop of Johnson products. Another couple and ourselves asked to leave after half an hour of being a captive audience, and, basically, WERE TOLD THAT UNLESS IT WAS AN EMERGENCY, WE COULD NOT LEAVE THE TOUR. There were only 20 guests but 3 tour guides who acted like monitors PLUS a security guard. One person on the tour said, "Do they manufacture wax or anthrax here?", referring to the security. Very bizarre feeling to be held prisoner in order to have to witness the great Johnson Family. Try to cut out without being seen, unless you have abundant time on your hands. read more

When I asked friends in the area about the Johnson tour, no one had taken the tour, they do not know what they are missing. We toured the Johnson Wax headquarters on a Sunday. The free tour was very informative about the company, Johnson family, and the buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The architecture was impressive and how it was interesting to see how he put details into the building and early energy saving techniques used and openness of the offices still have a modern look today. He even designed the furniture in the office. We were able to visit the second story of the main office building and go into the research and development tower. The tower did not seem to be a practical design for a laboratory. Only one small door and stairs for the entire building. We also toured the Johnson family home also designed by FLW, called Wingspread is a HUGE home with FLW details and designs make it a must see too. read more

We went on a great tour of this impressive Frank Lloyd Wright site...and it was free! The tour started off on the grounds and then went into the main administration building, which is an impressive work of art very much in the FLW style. After wandering through the building and heading up to the upper floors where we got the chance to go through an elevated walkway covered in glass tubes, we headed into some tunnels connecting the various buildings and into the old research lab building which had some fascinating old lab equipment accompanied by some interesting architecture. The tour concluded in the newest building where we learned more of rhe history of SC Johnson and includes an historic plane. It was a great little day trip for us up from Chicago, we had a knowledgeable tour guide, and I highly recommend! read more

My wife and another couple drove all the way from Minneapolis to take this tour. Work every minute of PTO. If you love architecture, it is a MUST. Be sure to combine it with WINGSPREAD. You can't help leaving Racine without thinking what a great corporate citizen SC Johnson has been for the past century. I hope the people of Racine recognize it. Also, SC Johnson has been way out front on the green revolution. Not a rah rah tour, very understated. It was free; but I would have been more than glad to have paid for it. It really adds a dimension to F LL W's residential portfolio. Make it a destination event. read more

This is by far one of the best architectural tours I have been on regarding Frank LLoyd Wright. They have recently opened the research tower, which is one of sites you will see along with the infamous administration building. The labs that you will visit in the tower do an excellent job of capturing the time-period of when this building was in use. The Cherokee Red theme is prevalent throughout the buildings. If you are a fan of Frank and like madmen this is where you need to be. read more