Western Pennsylvania Conservancy | The Fallingwater Story. Another chapter of the WPC’s history, and a story in itself, is Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater. Voted the most important building of the 20th century in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects, this masterpiece was entrusted to the Conservancy by Edgar Kaufmann jr. in October, 1963. Included with this generous gift were 1,543 acres surrounding the wild and beautiful Bear Run. Fallingwater was designed in 1935 for Pittsburgh department store owner Edgar Kaufmann Sr. and was used as a mountain retreat by his family. The Kaufmanns became acquainted with the Conservancy when they were involved with the early acquisition of Ferncliff Peninsula, later to become the cornerstone of Ohiopyle State Park. Their son, Edgar Kaufmann jr., commented on the importance of Fallingwater when he said, “Such a place cannot be possessed.
Fallingwater came to the Conservancy with its buildings, collections and site intact. Visit the Fallingwater Website. FLW Foundation. Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust. Taliesin since 1932. Fallingwater.