Frank Lloyd Wright Ain't Got Nothin' on Chinatown

By Olivia Leigh in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 11, 2007 8:03PM

Although we're not usually huge supporters of ye olde credit card companies, American Express is doing well by us in its effort to help restore historical sites in a partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. From 2006 to 2011, the Partners in Preservation program will be dishing out $5 million dollars to specially selected historical sites across the country.

This year, preservation efforts are focused on Chicago and four surrounding counties, where 25 landmark sites have been selected as potential recipients of valuable funding dollars. Although several locations are expected to be chosen as winners based on a number of criteria, the site that receives the most votes from the public via the organization's Website is guaranteed to receive funding.

So, folks, what'll it be in this architectural battle royale? Right now, the On Leong Merchant Association Building/ Pui-Tak Center (a.k.a. that building in Chinatown), followed by the Viking Ship of Geneva, Ill., and Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple in Oak Park. Other popular favorites including Robie House, the Cultural Center Tiffany Domes, and the Russian Orthodox Cathedral also make appearances on the list of contenders, along with some hidden gems that we'd never been aware of.

If you'd like to register your support for your favorite architectural gem, hop on over to the program's Website, where you can find more detailed information about all of the contenders and cast a vote until Oct. 10.

Photo of the Cultural Center by the author.