A major preservation initiative is underway for the Nakashima Family House, a National Historic Landmark in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
The home was built by hand by master woodworker, architect, and designer George Nakashima in 1946, just one year after World War II ended. During the war, Nakashima and his family were among the thousands of Japanese Americans incarcerated at the Minidoka Relocation Center in Idaho.
His release was made possible by Antonin Raymond, a Czech-born modernist architect and his partner and designer Noemi Raymond, with whom Nakashima had previously worked in Japan. The Raymonds sponsored Nakashima’s release and invited him and his family to live and work on his farm in New Hope, Bucks County.
In 1945, Nakashima bought a parcel of farmland nearby and began constructing what would become the Nakashima compound. The Family House became the heart of a remarkable place. It was where George lived with wife, Marion, and raised their two children, Mira and Kevin; where his ideas were crafted into wood; and where the Nakashima legacy was born.
This preservation effort marks an important milestone in safeguarding the legacy of one of America’s most celebrated designers and his philosophy of peace through craft.
The house stands as a masterwork of mid-20th-century design and a living expression of his philosophy of harmony between nature, craft, and humanity. Nearly 80 years later, the original materials and environmental systems are increasingly vulnerable to age, climate stress, and humidity fluctuations, placing both the structure and the irreplaceable collections inside at risk. This project addresses those urgent needs, ensuring that the House, designated a National Historic Landmark in 2014) remains an enduring site of inspiration, education, and peace for generations to come.
The project follows the successful completion of an intensive planning phase, funded by grants from National Trust for Historic Preservation and Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which earned the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia’s 2025 Preservation Achievement Award. This phase included the development of a comprehensive Historic Structure Report in collaboration with experts from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate Program in Historic Preservation, documenting the house’s architecture, condition, and cultural significance to guide its long-term care.
The Nakashima Foundation for Peace hosts a two-day symposium at the Nakashima compound in New Hope on Saturday and Sunday, November 15 and 16, focusing on the challenges and strategies of preserving the Nakashima Family House and other mid-20th-century landmarks.
The symposium will feature presentations and panel discussions with the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate Program in Historic Preservation experts, including the team who led the creation of the Historic Structure Report. Topics will include:
• Architectural Documentation and Analysis — Capturing changes in the House over time
• Environmental Systems and Material Conservation — Addressing climate risks and aging systems
• Mid-Century Modern Preservation Challenges — Lessons learned from the Nakashima site and beyond
• Integrating Cultural Values into Preservation Planning — Honoring Nakashima’s philosophy of peace and craftsmanship
Participants will have the opportunity to tour the Nakashima property, including spaces rarely open to the public, and view archival materials that informed the preservation plan. The event will include a roundtable discussion on innovative preservation practices and sustainability for heritage sites.
Register for the symposium at nakashimafoundation.org/legacy-in-wood. Tickets for day one are $125 and tickets for day two are $150.
To make the next phase of preservation possible, the Nakashima Foundation has launched a fundraising campaign to support critical environmental upgrades and repairs to the House recommended in the Historic Structure Report. Contributions will help ensure the integrity of the building and preserve the craftsmanship and history embodied in every detail. Donations can be made at nakashimafoundation.org/honor-a-legacy.
To learn of additional special events and educational activities presented in support of the preservation initiative, visit nakashimafoundation.org.
