New Ways to Experience a Masterwork (and earn continuing education credit)

Fallingwater is a “must see” destination for many world travelers, but this season, there are new ways to enjoy the building named by the American Institute of Architects as “the best all-time work of American architecture.” New tours have been developed that will give visitors time to linger and reflect,and on one tour, they can earn continuing education credit.

Tour Fallingwater for Continuing Education Credit - Fallingwater has been accepted into the award-winning American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education Systems and is now a Registered Provider.  Architects will now be able to earn continuing education credit at Fallingwater, which an AIA members poll recognized as the “best all time work of American architecture.” By participating in an Insider's Look at Fallingwater on Friday, June 22, or Friday, August 17, architects will earn 3.5 learning units. The program begins at 2:30 p.m. and includes an hour-long lecture that explores the successful structural strengthening that saved this National Historic Landmark from collapse.  Visitors are then treated to a 2-hour tour of the grounds and house, including areas not visited during a Regular Tour. Still photography is permitted. The afternoon finishes with an informal discussion with complimentary wine and cheese on one of Fallingwater’s terraces. Since an Insider’s Look is limited to 10 people, reservations are essential. All participants receive an AIA Certificate of Completion.

The Fallingwater Landscape Tour is a 90-minute guided walk around the house and its immediate setting. Available every Saturday in May and September (May 5, May 12, May 19, May 26, September 1, September 8, September 15, September 22 and September 29, 2007), guests are treated to a birds-eye view from above, the iconic southwest view, and see the building form its own cascade down the hillside when viewing the masterwork from the east.

The Sunday Brunch Tour allows one to imagine inhabiting Fallingwater, after spending nearly two hours in the house on a guided tour, limited to 10 people. Photography is permitted and the tour includes time in rooms not included on a regular tour, such as the Kitchen and Servants Quarters. The tour concludes on the covered terrace as guests join their guide for brunch. Bear Run stream flows beneath the house, its sound creating a memorable accompaniment. The Brunch Tour is offered once a month, May through September,  on Sunday morning.

With the Picnic and Poetry Trail Tour, guests are armed with the necessary resources (a gourmet picnic from the Fallingwater Café and a copy of the book, “Poetry of Nature”), to take a fresh look at Bear Run Nature Reserve’s Poetry Trail and how we observe nature in general. Like the trail, this small book was created in the spirit of Fallingwater as a guide to contemplating our physical and spiritual connections to the natural world. Award-winning poet, essayist and amateur naturalist Jeff O’Brien provides the text that offers  suggestions on how to pause and appreciate the subtleties of nature. Blank pages encourage writing, drawing and sketching and the picnic gives yet another reason to hang back, explore and discover the western Pennsylvania woods. A one-week advance notice is essential.

Fallingwater’s daily regular guided tours are offered Tuesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. now through Thanksgiving weekend The In-Depth tour offers a detailed view of the house with photography and access to areas not available on the regular tour. This tour is offered everday we are open at 8:30 a.m. and on selected days at 4:30 p.m. Our Sunset tour is offered on Saturdays during the summer at 4:30 p.m. and offers an extended tour of the house followed by light refreshments on the terrace.

For more information on these tours and other new programs, call Visitor Services at 724-329-8501.

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