Fallingwater:
Ultimate Vacation Home
Frank Lloyd Wright’s
genius has seen a renewed interest over the past few years, and
Fallingwater is one of his most widely acclaimed architectural works. The
retreat, in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, was designed in 1936 for
the family of Pittsburgh department store owner Edgar J. Kaufmann. Built
as a vacation home in the mountains, Fallingwater’s setting is unique
because of the waterfall which it rests upon.
The falls along Bear Run
had been a focal point of the family’s activities for many years, and
they suggested the area around the falls as a possible location for the
home. They were unprepared for Wright’s idea that the house rise over
the waterfall rather than face it. But the architect’s scheme was
adopted almost without change.
Completed with a guest and
service wing in 1939, Fallingwater was constructed of sandstone quarried
on the property and was laid by local craftsmen. The stone serves to
separate reinforced concrete "trays," forming living and bedroom
levels, dramatically cantilevered over the stream. Throughout the house,
Wright’s remarkable use of space, materials, and nature combine to give
the home its own character and grace. Fallingwater is the only remaining
great Wright house with its setting, original furnishings, and art work
intact.
Fallingwater served as the
Kaufmann’s weekend home from 1937 to 1963, when the house, its contents,
and grounds were presented to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy by
Edgar Kaufmann, Jr.
Over two million people
have visited Fallingwater since it opened to the public in 1964. The house
is located about three miles north of Ohiopyle, PA. on Rt. 381 and is open
for tours from April 1 through November, everyday except Monday, from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. From December 1 through March 31, Fallingwater is open for
weekend tours only (weather permitting).
Cost of admission is $8 per
person Tuesday through Friday and $12 on weekends and holidays. Tours last
approximately 45 minutes and reservations are required to guarantee
admission. Comfortable shoes are a must as there is considerable walking
and many steps involved in the tour.
When tours are full,
visitors may view the grounds and exterior of the house for $5 per person.
Tours are designed for adults and children under nine will not be
permitted on the tour. However, a supervised child care center is
available where children can enjoy indoor and outdoor games and toys
relating to nature and architecture. There is a $2 fee per child, per
hour. Also, picnicking and pets are not permitted on the grounds
For more information, or to
make reservations, call Fallingwater at: (724) 329-8501
