ACROSS COUNTY LINES
Polymath Park
Polymath Park, a 125-acre resort in Acme, Pennsylvania, is a cool concept. Located about 20 miles from Fallingwater, it is home to two houses designed by Wright and two houses— the Balter House and the Blum House—that were built by one of his apprentices, Peter Berndtson. The original concept was to be a Usonian-style community development plan with shared common areas, but only two houses were ever built on the property. In 2000, the Papinchaks purchased the two homes and Polymath Park to preserve it. In 2002, the Duncan House, built in 1957 in the Usonian style, was moved to Polymath Park from Lisle, Illinois, to save it from destruction, and in 2019, Mäntylä, also known as the Lindholm House, was rebuilt on the site after being moved from Cloquet, Minnesota. And the best part is that they are among the few Wright homes available for overnight rentals. In addition to tours, Polymath Park also has a Wright-inspired restaurant called Treetops. Take a tour Remember to make reservations and buy your tickets ahead of time. Wright at Polymath Park tours run from March through November 21, except Wednesdays. You can book a three-house tour, overnight stay, or dining experience— or bundle them all together. Prices vary. franklloydwrightovernight.net Why we love it This is a unique and memorable opportunity to learn firsthand what it was like to live in a Wright-designed home. Little known tidbit Polymath means a person with encyclopedic learning. Eat Make reservations for dinner at Treetops Restaurant at Polymath Park for a Wright- inspired dining experience, or choose one of the lunch and tour packages. Stay Here, of course! Distance from Morgantown 55 miles
Fallingwater Completed in 1937, Fallingwater was commissioned by the Kaufmann family of Pittsburgh—the department store moguls— as their summer home, and it is considered to be his masterpiece, one of the finest examples of Wright’s concept of “organic architecture.” It is nestled into the landscape and overhangs a plummeting 30-foot waterfall as if it is suspended mid-air. This engineering feat is one of 24 UNESCO World Heritage sites in the United States, joining other iconic structures like the Egyptian pyramids and the Taj Mahal. If you haven’t visited, this needs to be on your must-do list. Take a tour Self-guided exterior tours are available, $18 per person, but you should really opt for the Guided Architectural Tour, $30, or Brunch or Sunset Tour, $150 per person, for a more memorable experience. Book online. fallingwater.org Why we love it It’s an architectural and engineering marvel. Fallingwater is the only
remaining home designed by Wright that still has its original furnishings and artwork. Only two colors were used throughout—a light ochre for the concrete and his signature Cherokee red for the steel. Little known tidbit Rumor has it that Wright designed Fallingwater in two hours. He visited the construction site with patron Edgar J. Kaufmann, requested a site plan, and then did nothing for one year—until Kaufmann called Wright informing him that he was on his way to Wisconsin to see the drawings. Eat & Drink Order a boxed lunch from The Fallingwater Cafe and reserve a table in the Meadow alongside Bear Run. Stay Looking to spend the night in a Wright-inspired location? Visit Nemacolin Woodlands Resort's Falling Rock. Distance from Morgantown 46 miles.
MORGANTOWNMAG.COM 25
Made with FlippingBook Converter PDF to HTML5