Wright and Emerson: Reclaiming the Promise of the American Project

Frank Lloyd Wright and Ralph Waldo Emerson: Reclaiming the Promise of the American Project with Professor Ayad Rahmani, Washington State University. 

By the middle of the 19th Century America was losing ground, socially and politically, many questioning its continued claim on freedom. How to get the country back on track was the concern of many leading cultural figures, including F.L. Wright. This presentation will examine the manner with which Wright looked to R.W. Emerson to restore to Americans the capacity for insight and innovation 

About the Speaker

Ayad Rahmani is Professor of Architecture at Washington State University where he teaches courses on Design and Theory. He is the author of three books, including Frank Lloyd Wright and Ralph Waldo Emerson: Transforming the American Mind (2023). His research focuses on the intersection of architecture and critical theory, looking at literature to examine themes in modern culture. He has written widely on urban planning, architecture, and the link between modern space and psychology, including an essay on Wright and Democracy, which appeared in the Frank Lloyd Wright Quarterly in the summer of 2020. He is the architectural critic of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News. He lives in Pullman, Washington.

Accessibility Information 

Taliesin Hillside Theater has limited ADA seating availability. If you have any specific needs, please contact us in advance at programs@taliesinpreservation.org. Taliesin events take place on the historic estate and include walking outside on uneven terrain and gravel walkways and often include stairs with no handrails. 
 
New in 2026, Hillside Theater is equipped with an Auracast BluetoothLE assistive listening system. 
 
If you or someone in your party would like information about accessibility, mobility access, or assistive listening features at Hillside Theater, please review our accessibility document. 

About Taliesin Preservation

VISION
Taliesin is acknowledged as the embodiment of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright's commitment to the creation of exceptional environments that harmonize architecture, art, culture, and the land.

MISSION
As stewards, Taliesin Preservation's mission is to preserve the cultural, built, and natural environments that comprise the Taliesin property and to conduct public educational and cultural programming that provides a greater understanding of Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture and ideas.

Photo Waiver 

Photography, videography, and audio recording are not allowed during the program. Photography and short-form videos up to 30 seconds, without archival footage and for personal use only, are allowed before and after the program. Equipment, such as tripods and selfie sticks, is not permitted. No other reproductions may be created for commercial use in any way without the express, written consent of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. 
 
While on the property, you may be photographed or videotaped for use by Taliesin Preservation or the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. By purchasing a ticket to this event, you agree that Taliesin Preservation has full permission to use your photograph, or likeness, for any promotional purposes that they deem appropriate. These purposes may be for internal or external use and may include collateral materials, newsletters, advertising, marketing, publicity, or other uses