Since I last traveled to write this blog, it’s been over a year. I was thrilled to be returning to work when I received the invitation to visit Pennsylvania to see what travel trends will be in 2021.
When I saw the itinerary, which included tours of Frank Lloyd Wright homes in PA, Fallingwater and Wright’s San Francisco Office, I was delighted!
Frank Lloyd Wright’s homes have always fascinated me. I was initially intrigued by Wright’s organic approach to home design.
After visiting the Laurent House in Rockford Illinois, like many others, I wanted to know more.
The Muirhead Farmhouse was my next Frank Lloyd Wright home in Illinois. It is located near Chicago. On the tour of his house, I began to understand his ideas — his emphasis on creating private living spaces, both indoors, and outdoors.
His design has some features that I find very appealing, like the lower ceilings which encourage people to stay and sit. I also found some of the concepts to be a bit impractical. The narrow hallways, and the refusal to use right angles lead to homes that I can’t imagine being practical for daily living.
How can a laundry hamper fit through a doorway that is 19″ wide without anyone slamming their fingers against the frame of the door? How can you use a 30-degree angle in your bedroom?
My curiosity has grown. I’m not sure if I like Usonian style or find it arrogant.
This trip to Pennsylvania allowed me to visit two more Frank Lloyd Wright houses, as well as his office, which was reconstructed board by board and preserved in Erie, PA.
Frank Lloyd Wright Homes in Pennsylvania and New York
Recently, a group of Frank Lloyd Wright locations in Pennsylvania and New York launched a cohesive tour to illustrate Wright’s career.
Participating FLW sites include:
- Fallingwater, Mill Run (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), PA
- Kentuck Knob Chalk Hill
- Acme, PA, Polymath Park
- Hagen History Center Erie, PA, (home to Wright’s San Francisco office).
- Blue Sky Mausoleum Buffalo, NY
- The Filling Station of the Pierce Arrow Museum in Buffalo, NY
- Fontana Rowing boathouse Buffalo, NY
- Graycliff, Derby, NY
- Martin House Buffalo, NY
This tour is called ” Great Wright Road Trip” (clever, right? This tour celebrates Frank Lloyd Wright’s career over 50 years, from the early Prairie style through Fallingwater to Usonian. This road trip offers a unique opportunity for Wright enthusiasts and budding architects to experience art, architecture, and history in some of the most stunning landscapes across the United States.
Justin Gunther is the director of Fallingwater. He says that this road trip will inspire you to change your perspective on the world and how you interact with nature and art. You’ll gain an appreciation of the landscapes that inspired Frank Lloyd Wright as you travel between these architectural monuments.
The nine sites of the Great Wright Road Trip can be visited in sections or one at a time.
The Great Wright Road Trip Itinerary
Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses can be explored in any order you choose. My journey was the exact opposite of what you recommend, and it was a great experience.
If you are taking your trip in one go, it makes sense to start at Buffalo. Continue reading…
Frank Lloyd Wright at Buffalo
Wright, frustrated with fussy house designs early in his career started the Prairie Style movement. His Prairie style homes were inspired by the vast open spaces in the Midwest. They had large windows, and spacious living areas. He included Arts and Crafts elements but preferred to use more organic elements like local stone.
The Prairie style is evident in both the Martin House, Buffalo and Graycliff. Wright designed the Blue Sky Mausoleum and Filling Station in Fontana, but they were not constructed until later by his apprentices. Each one reflects his passion for designing inspired by the environment.
You’ll discover the importance of Frank Lloyd Wright’s friendship with the Martin Family, the early beneficiaries of his career.
Hagen History Center in Erie
Visit the Hagen History Center in Erie, Pennsylvania, which is where Wright’s San Francisco offices are now located.
This exhibit is his San Francisco office. The exhibit was disassembled and labelled in San Francisco, before being transported to Erie.
Wright’s office is shaped like a typical home with 90-degree angles. Spend the night at Erie, before continuing on to Laurel Highlands.
Fallingwater, Laurel Highlands and more
Fallingwater is located in the Laurel Highlands just south of Pittsburgh. It’s probably Wright’s most famous design and what cemented his place in architecture history.
Explore the home and the guesthouse, walk the trails, and enjoy a delicious lunch in this stunning setting. It’s no wonder that the Kauffman family chose this as their escape from the city noise.
Kentuck Knob is another classic example of Wright’s Usonian style. Be sure to look at the wall that runs along the north-side of the master bedroom when you visit. Imagine how cold it gets in the winter when there is snow.
Kentuck Knob’s grounds are also amazing and include many of the sculptures created by its current owner. The collection included a piece from the Berlin Wall, which I found surprising.
The tour of each house takes between 1-3 hours, depending on the amount you explore.
Spend a second full day at Polymath Park. Treetops Restaurant in Polymath Park is a great place to start your day with a leisurely meal (or finish it with dinner).
Enjoy tours of two other Wright homes, as well as Peter Bernsten, a Wright apprentice’s Balter House. You can choose from a range of tour options .
The Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Pennsylvania offer an excellent overview of Wright’s life and his influence on future architects. You’ll learn about Wright’s eccentricities while touring. He was a man of many facets!
The Great Wright Road Trip is as informative and interesting to me as it was for you!
Money-saving Tips for Your Frank Lloyd Wright Homes tour
Saving money on travel means we can spend more on food and shopping. Save money on your Great Wright Road Trip by using these tips.
- Purchase a Museum Contributor Membership. This membership costs $100 and includes two admissions to 37 Wright sites in the United States, including Graycliff House, Fontana Boathouse, Fallingwater, Martin House. Please note that you can purchase a Contributor membership at any participating FLW location.
- Visit Erie to find vacation packages.
- These special offers will help you save on your Laurel Highlands holiday .
- Save money on Pennsylvania vacations by taking advantage of the offers offered by Pennsylvania’s tourism board.
- Kayak offers hotel discounts in the United States.
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