The answer is... why Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Tom Hanks and others come to Fayette County.

July 10, 4:25 PMPittsburgh Day Trips ExaminerMark Yarris

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       "Fallingwater"   Print by Mark Yarris. R.L.A.

The other day a friend asked, why don't we, as Southwestern Pennsylvanians, do more to promote our wonderful history, beautiful natural elements and unique architecture? He went on to say that we have a lot here to offer the rest of the country and even the world. Frankly, I could not give him an answer. But, as mentioned in previous articles and to back my friend up, we really do have a lot to offer everyone and anyone no matter where they are from or what their interest or taste may be. The Pittsburgh region is steep in history and traditions. Just open any regional weekend magazine supplement to the newspaper and you can find many types of activities, events, or celebrations centered on our historical past, rich culture and ever present traditions. On top of that, natural wonders abound everywhere in our region and the parks and trails are reoccurring destinations for the outdoor person in all of us. But a lot of people may not realize that some of the real gems in the Pittsburgh region are the architectural masterpieces. Which brings me to ask… what is the question to the answer given in the headline? It’s none other than Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater! The gem of all gems!

Since 2006, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Tom Hanks, Ron Howard and Dennis Miller (he’s a native Pittsburgher) have made their way to Southwestern Pennsylvania to visit this world renowned piece of architectural genius. And that is just the famous or near famous that I personally know of. Surely there have been other “well knowns” that have made the pilgrimage to this Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece in the recent past! Besides the Hollywood crowd, I always hear tale that a good many Japanese travel halfway around the world just to come to Fayette County, Pennsylvania to admire the master architect’s work. The world actually does make its way to our beautiful neck of the woods just to see and touch a real architecture wonder.

Personally, I have been to Fallingwater so many times that I have lost count. (I guess it’s a sickness for those of us in the architectural realm.) But when a personal visit is made to Fallingwater, no matter how many times I has have been there before, this former family mountain retreat still impresses. Just to walk the wooded grounds and photograph the house in all its natural glory, as it hangs over the waterfall on Bear Run, is a treat in of itself! But one really needs to tour the house and get the play by play on every room and the thoughts behind why Mr. Wright did things the way he did. The staff at Fallingwater is well informed and can answer just about any question there is about the structure.

Just to give you a brief overview of this magnificent house, Fallingwater was built from 1934 to 1937 as a weekend home for the Edgar Kaufmann, Sr. Family. The family owned the once Pittsburgh based Kaufmann’s Department Store. They used the weekend house until 1963 then donated it to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy who turned around and opened it to the public in 1964. The cost to build Fallingwater was $155,000 (about 2.5 million dollars in today’s money). Approximately 120,000 people from all over visit Fallingwater each year.

On my numerous visits to Fallingwater a few tidbits always stayed with me. For instance, I love the trademark FLLW Cherokee red color of the railings and metal work, the fact that Mr. Wright designed houses for people under six feet tall (he considered anyone over six feet a weed) and that you dare not move the furniture once he put it in place!

Although the house has always been problematic, the architecture is ageless and seems like it will always be ahead of it’s time. Time magazine called it “Wright’s most beautiful job” upon its completion. I could give you more details about this unique place, but I would rather leave that to the tour guides when you visit Fallingwater, and I strongly recommend you do. You won’t be disappointed.

So get out and about, visit Fallingwater this summer or during the autumn mountain slender. Tour the house, walk the trails, photograph a memory and let others known about this world renowned and treasured gem in Fayette County, Pennsylvania!