When Orcas islander John Altberg walked by the Sutton House as a boy in his hometown of McCook, Nebraska, he never knew he’d someday produce a book about the remarkable structure. Co-authored with Donald Morgan, The Sutton House chronicles in words and images the history of the first Frank Lloyd Wright House built in Nebraska.

“When I connected the dots between Frank Lloyd Wright and McCook, Nebraska, I remember thinking it was remarkable how famous Frank Lloyd Wright was and the fact that in this small town [McCook] in the middle of the United States was this masterpiece,” Altberg said.

Dedicated to all Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiasts, The Sutton House includes the original architectural visioning process as well as the first design drawings. Altberg’s photographs provide the book with a rich aesthetic. The story follows a series of Sutton House owners and their persistent preservation efforts.

“Photography has been something that I have been involved in since I was a very small boy. There has been kind of a life-long fascination with [Frank Lloyd Wright’s] genius and his eccentricities,” said Altberg.

Altberg and his wife, Rosemarie, have lived in Eastsound for seven years.

Altberg will be signing copies of The Sutton House at Darvill’s Book Store on Friday, Aug. 14 from 6:00 p.m to 7:30 p.m. Weather permitting, the reception will follow a performance by Carolyn Cruso at 5:00 p.m. in front of the store.