FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT'S FALLINGWATER MASTERPIECE

While staying near Somerset Pennsylvania this fall we took a side trip in the Laurel Highlands to Frank Lloyd Wrights architectural masterpiece.


Here it is in each season.

Construction began in 1936, and ended with the completion of the guest house in 1939.


The Kaufmann family used Fallingwater in all seasons as a weekend or vacation home until the 1950's, when their son inherited it.

The Kauffmans owned a department store in Pittsburg. When we went to Pittsburg we saw a Kauffmans department store still operating in a local shopping center. The Kauffmans took the train to the nearby town of Oligopyle where they were picked up in a car by their Fallingwater caretaker and driven up the mountain to the weekend retreat.

The servant quarters is a complex of buildings up the side of the creek canyon behind the main house.

An interesting thing about the house is that everything inside and out, including all furniture, floors wall decor, lighting, etc. except for the kitchen - was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

The house gives you a feeling of cozyness while at the same time making you experience the outdoors surrounding you. It is fantastic.

Wright responded to the family's love for a waterfall on Bear Run, a rushing mountain stream in Western Pennsylvania. Mimicking a natural pattern established by its rock ledges, Wright placed the house over the falls in a series of cantilevered concrete "trays," anchored to masonry walls made of the same Pottsville sandstone as the rock ledges. Although the house rises over 30' above the falls, strong horizontal lines and low ceilings help maintain a sheltering effect. Almost as much floor space is taken up by outdoor terraces as indoor rooms.

I think this is a design masterpiece, but we have to be clear - it is no engineering masterpiece.

An engineer must achieve excellence in three dimensions: design, economics, and operational survivability or quality.

Frank Lloyd Wright had only to achieve excellence in the first of these. He was building for people for whom cost was no object, and he exceeded materials design parameters so that within the first 25 years, the building was collapsing and had to be restored at a cost of 11 million dollars.

WHISKEY REBELLION CELEBRATION - Berlin, PA

Doctor's Implements - The Whiskey Rebellion occurred during the late 1700s when the cash poor US government decided to impose a tax on whiskey to raise revenue. Now the thing is, the folks that sold whiskey were way out there in Pennsylvania. These folks had fought for our country's independence and were rewarded with land that was hilly, rocky,
poor soil in Pennsylvania. When these farmers found a way of making money from the whiskey they made from one of only a few crops that was successful, Congress thought taxing them would be a good idea because the farmer's vote didn't matter to them and the farmers were so spread out that how could they possibly raise any resistance forces. Well, ultimately the whiskey tax was repealed.

Now, if you were shot during this time, your doctor was able to use one of these great implements to get that bullet out. Since there was no anesthesia, whiskey was a great help during these operations. Surgery anyone?

Making Maple Syrup - Berlin is a town of 2,000 people, and the gentleman on the right was demonstrating the process of gathering and making maple syrup. He said that he had lived in Berlin all his life and in fact, knew all the other craftspeople since they were all small boys and girls. Folks from this area have a very resourceful mentality. He said that he has land outside of town and for most of his winter heating needs, gets the wood himself from his land. This way he is not depending on energy companies for his needs nor does he have to pay their high prices. It was very refreshing talking to this very talented individual.

Historical Society's Parade Float - This was a great country parade, and we were fortunate to sit next to a woman whose children and grandchildren were with her at the parade, and who told us some much about the town and its community minded folks.