A unique 2,600-square-foot house, once described by architect Frank Lloyd Wright as his “little gem,” stands in the city of Rockford, Illinois. Known as the Laurent House, it remains one of Wright’s greatest building designs and the only accessible home he designed before the Americans with Disabilities Act. Recently, the house was at risk of being sold and moved out of Rockford, but thanks to the efforts of one man, Jerry Heinzeroth, and the community’s support, the Laurent House has been preserved as a Rockford museum.
Sadly, on January 19, Jerry Heinzeroth, the founder and former president of the Laurent House Foundation, passed away at his home at the age of 81. His passion, dedication, and drive to fulfill the Laurents’ dream of preserving their home as a public museum were instrumental in making it a reality. John Groh, president and CEO of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, acknowledges that without Heinzeroth, the Laurent House may not have been open to the public today.
Heinzeroth, along with his late wife, Barbara, were close friends of Ken and Phyllis Laurent. Ken, a World War II veteran, became a paraplegic after a tumor was removed from his spine, confining him to a wheelchair. In 1948, he commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design a home suited to his needs. Wright embraced the challenge and created a ranch house in his signature “Usonian” style, featuring grand horizontal sight lines and floor-to-ceiling living room windows that beautifully connected the house to the surrounding landscape.
Additionally, the Laurent House showcases Wright’s thoughtful and inclusive approach to design. The furniture, designed by Wright himself, is intentionally lower than usual, allowing visitors to be at the same or lower height as their wheelchair-bound host. Ken and Phyllis lived in the house for an incredible 60 years, with Ken attributing his longevity to the specially-designed home that allowed him to focus on his abilities rather than his disability.
Heinzeroth acknowledged the global significance of the Laurent House, beyond just Rockford. He emphasized that it was the only house Wright ever designed for a person with a disability, making it truly unique. Mary Beth Peterson, the Executive Director of the Laurent Foundation, describes Heinzeroth as a visionary and credits him with getting everyone excited about the possibilities of the Laurent House.
While Jerry Heinzeroth’s passing leaves a void in the preservation of this architectural masterpiece, his impact will always be remembered. His sons, Brock and Blake, continue his legacy. The Rockford community owes a debt of gratitude to Jerry Heinzeroth for ensuring that the Laurent House remains a symbol of inclusivity and inspiration.