Fallingwater Frank Llloyd Wright’s Architectural Masterpiece

I Finally Visited Fallingwater

On a recent trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I decided to take a major detour to visit one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the United States. Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece, Fallingwater, sits in Mill Run, Pennsylvania, about two hours south of Pittsburgh. Although this has been open to the public since 1964, I had never visited before.

The drive was reminiscent of a drive through Kentucky or Tennessee – small Appalachian towns littered with road side churches, old diners, and fields for days. For two-thirds of the drive, you are on a toll road with almost nowhere to stop. Once you exit to the country roads, there are options for gas and food, albeit limited. For the last 30 minutes or so, I kept wondering, “Am I going the right way?” Thankfully, a few directional signs appeared along the route until I reached the Fallingwater property.

The Tour

After paying for my tour, I made my way to the iconic viewpoint downstream from the famous house. I stood there in awe, alone, for about 15 minutes. The water was roaring downstream in front of the house. It was absolutely stunning, powerful, and calming all at one. I then made my way to the house’s exterior, photographing with no one around. My timing was impeccable. Just n hour later, the parking lots were full as hundreds of people wandered about.

Lastly, I opted for the higher quality tour, something I always to for the best access to sites. I figure that if I am taking the time to be somewhere, I should get as much access as possible. I took a 90-minute guided tour of Fallingwater with three generations of ladies visiting from Argentina. We walked around the property and got an intimate tour of every inch of the house. An added bonus was a tour of the guest house, just up the hill.

Intentional – One Word For This Place

Everything about this place was intentional – from the location to curvature in the furniture. The more I learned from the tour guide, the most I realized the every item, every corner, even stone, had a purpose.

Getting Photos That Are Different From The Other Tourists

Being the photographer that I am, I try to do what others are not doing. Shooting down low, shooting down low, and arriving earlier than everyone else. These are the techniques I use to get shots that others don’t get. Fallingwater was no exception. I arrived 15 minutes before the gates open and had to sit in the driveway until the opening time. I was rewarded with nearly sole access to the 5000 acre property.

It had rained a lot the night before, so the foliage and grounds were wet and lush. The grounds were filled with saturated greens and browns with the occasional pop of color from flowers.

I would highly recommend the Fallingwater tour to anyone. You’ll never see a property or house like this.

See more of my travel photography here.

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