-- Frank Lloyd Wright in an interview with Hugh Downs, 1954
Fallingwater, the residential masterpiece of great American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, was designed in 1936 for the family of Pittsburgh department store owner Edgar J. Kaufmann. Considered by some as the most famous private house ever built, Fallingwater epitomizes man living in harmony with nature. The house, set amid 5000 acres of natural wilderness, is constructed of local sandstone, reinforced concrete, steel and glass. It juts out over a waterfall on Bear Run, appearing as naturally formed as the rocks, trees and rhododendrons which embrace it.
The interior of Fallingwater remains true to Frank Lloyd Wright's vision as well, including cantilevered desks, earth-toned built-in sofas, polished stone floors, and large casement windows which allow the outdoors to pour in. The hearth of the soaring stone fireplace is actually a boulder on the hill, supposedly Mr. Kaufmann's favorite sunning spot before Fallingwater was built - the house was literally built around it. From the Great Room a set of stairs enables you to walk down and stand on a tiny platform in the middle of the stream.
Fallingwater was the weekend home of the Kaufmann family from 1937 until 1963, when the property was donated to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy by Edgar Kaufmann Jr. It still looks as it did when the family lived there - the only remaining great Wright house with its setting, original furnishings and art work intact. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, Fallingwater was also named by the American Institute of Architects in 2000 as the "Building of the Century."
Over 2 million people have visited Fallingwater, located 90 miles southeast of Pittsburgh in Fayette County, since it opened to the public in 1964. A variety of tours are available:
Standard Tour
45 minutes - 1 hour (allow 2 hours total to visit)
No photography permitted
Reservations are strongly suggested
Adults: $12 weekdays/$15 weekends & holidays
Youth (6-18): $8 weekdays/$10 weekends & holidays
Grounds-only pass (no tour) $6
In-Depth Tour
2 hours (8:30am only), children must be 9 or older
Still photography allowed
Reservations required
$40 weekdays; $50 weekends and holidays
Children's Tour
40 minutes - 1 hour
Reservations required
$6
Land of Fallingwater Tour
3 hours
Reservations required
$50 - Saturdays, 9:00am, April - October
The above rates and times are subject to change. Please call (724) 329-8501 or visit the Fallingwater Web site for the most current rates and information.
Explore Fallingwater in the meantime by visiting the Fallingwater Photo Gallery.
URL: http://pittsburgh.about.com/library/blfallingwater.htm
© 2002-2003 Kimberly & Albrecht Powell. Licensed to About.com. All Rights Reserved.
Fallingwater photos copyright © 2001 Robert P. Ruschak and
the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Used with Permission.
