Wilson, Ralph, Sr., and Sunny, House
historic place
The Ralph, Sr., and Sunny Wilson House in Temple, Bell County, Texas, is a historic place. Built in 1959, it served Ralph Wilson, Sr., founder of Wilsonart, in three ways. It was his private residence with his wife, Sunny; a model home for his laminate company; and a testing lab for his products. The house combines ranch and modern architectural styles, featuring open interiors. Its design showcased extensive and innovative uses of plastic laminate throughout, including in cabinets and walls. In 1998, the Wilson House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Wilsonart now owns the house, restored to its 1959 appearance, and operates it as an archive and interpretive museum. This site highlights laminate technology's influence on mid-century design.