Fallingwater - "Celebrating 75 Years of Art in Nature, 1936-2011"

"Fallingwater," one of Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpieces, is "Celebrating 75 Years of Art in Nature, 1936-2011," making this the perfect time to spend the afternoon at one of the Smithsonian's Life List of '28 Places to Visit Before You Die.'

It was the mid-1930s when Wright, America’s most celebrated architect, designed this ‘weekend’ retreat for the Kaufmann (Department Store) family of Pittsburgh, PA.

Wright, in his mid-60s at the time, was already world-renowned and the house became instantly famous when it appeared almost immediately on a Time magazine cover.

The design "exemplifies Wright’s concept of organic architecture: the harmonious union of art and nature," according to Fallingwater.org.

During a visit to the house last autumn, the cantilevered concrete terraces that hover above the waterfalls of Bear Run blew me away. There is even a descending staircase from inside the living room that leads to boulders forming the waterfalls-- it beckons visitors to dangle their feet in the cool stream.

Throughout 2011, Fallingwater is offering a wide variety of special events to commemorate its 75th anniversary. Click here for details.

The house is located in southwest Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands about 90 minutes from Pittsburgh.

If you go:

Fallingwater
1491 Mill Run Road
Mill Run, PA 15464
Visitor Services: 724.329-8501
URL: www.fallingwater.org

2011 Season: Mar. 5, 6 and 12, 13; then daily (except Wed.) during the Regular Season: Mar. 14-Nov. 27. In Dec. open weekends: Fri., Sat. and Sun.; and Dec. 26-Jan. 1, 2012.
Hours: Regular season tours 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Advance ticket purchase or reservations are essential)
Cost: Regular house tour: $20/adult; $14/ages 6-12.
In-depth tour: $65. Detailed information these and other special tours click on Tours and Tickets
Driving directions: click here. The house is off PA Route 381, approximately 19 miles south of Donegal (Exit #91) of the PA Turnpike (I-76); or 10 miles north of US Route 40.
GPS: 39.900851, -79.465472
Good on-site parking for RVs, coaches.

Nearby: Ohiopyle State Park offers good RV and tent camping at Kentuck Campground. The Youghiogheny River Trail, a 27-mile hiking and biking stretch (part of the Great Allegheny Passage), is wide, mostly smooth and beautiful the entire way.

Photos: Top: Fallingwater. (Wikipedia.) Bottom: Kentuck Campground, Ohiopyle State Park. (Julianne Crane)