RACINE, Wisconsin — SC Johnson is opening the doors of its Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Research Tower, the birthplace to some of the world’s most famous brands, to the public for the first time.
The first season’s tours began on May 2 and run on Fridays and Saturdays through September 27.
The iconic 15-story Research Tower, located at the company’s global headquarters, opened in 1950 as home to the company’s research and development scientists. Over the years such household products as Raid, Glade and Pledge were developed there.
SC Johnson closed the facility in 1982 but continued to light it every night. The lights were turned off during an extensive 12-month restoration in 2013, which involved both exterior and interior updates. The company relit the tower in late December after the final restoration of the original lighting scheme.
There are four main exhibit areas on two floors in the Research Tower, including a full mock-up of a 1950s laboratory.
Tours are also available of the company’s 1939 Administration Building, also designed by Wright. Both it and the Research Tower are on the National Register of Historic Places.
