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On Sunday
morning, 5 October, those so inclined may join us
on an optional trip to visit Frank Lloyd Wright's
architectural feat, Fallingwater, one hour south of
Greensburg in Mill Run, Pennsylvania. One of the masterpieces of
twentieth-century architecture, the house was
designed in 1935 for the Kaufman family of
Pittsburgh to use as a summer retreat in the
Laurel Highlands. Wright chose to build directly
over a waterfall, making dramatic use of
horizontal space. The house is famous for its
"harmonious union of art and nature,"
to quote the brochure. "Completed with a
guest and service wing in 1939, Fallingwater was
constructed of sandstone quarried on the property
and was built by local craftsmen. The stone
serves to separate reinforced concrete 'trays,'
dramatically cantievered over the stream."
Most remarkably, the house still retains its
original furniture and artwork. Since 1963, the
property has been in the care of the Western
Pennsylvania Conservancy.
Directions to
Fallingwater from Greensburg:
Take Route 30 East to Ligonier. Turn right on to
Route 711 South, and follow the signs to
Normalville (there are 3 marked turns). At
Normalville, turn left onto Route 381 South and
follow for approximately 8 miles to Fallingwater.
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provided for those who request it: we'll leave
from the hotels no later than 8:30 am. Those
preferring to drive should arrive in time to join
our one-hour, "interdisciplinary,"
guided tour, scheduled to start at 10 am. The
lovely drive from Greenburg takes about an hour
and will put you within shooting distance of the
Pennsylvania Turnpike and Route 40 (the old
National Road). Fallingwater makes a nice
stopover for those driving back to Washington,
Baltimore, or Philadelphia. If you wish to see Kentuck Knob, Wright's other
property in the area (Chalk Hill, PA), you might
want to phone for reservations (724-329-1901) and
get both houses in one trip.
If you flew
to the conference, we will probably be able to
drive you straight to Pittsburgh International
Airport from Fallingwater (if there aren't too
many of you--let us know early); otherwise, it's
a two-hour drive if you are returning a rental
car. Aim for a flight that leaves after 2:30 pm.
If you want to tour the grounds, allow additional
time for that.
Warning:
There are a lot of slate walkways to traverse and
steps to climb, so wear walking or running shoes.
You should also know that "there will be no
place to sit down during the tour" and
that "Fallingwater is a smoke-free
zone." Photography is not permitted in the
house. Nor are "cumbersome items" such
as large bags, oversized purses, or video-camera
cases. Leave them in the car.
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