News
Guests Marvel at Fallingwater and other Wright Homes
Frank Lloyd Wright is widely considered one of the greatest American
architects of all time. In recognition of Wright’s architectural
contributions in the Laurel Highlands, Laurelville annually teams
up with the staff of Fallingwater to host a six day, five night Frank
Lloyd Wright Elderhostel program. Each year people travel from all
over the country to be a part of the week which features informative
lectures and visits to notable Wright homes in the area.
This year Laurelville welcomed 47 participants from fourteen states
to the April 19-24 program. Laurelville Association members H. Linn
and Nancy Mast from Medina, OH served as hosts for the week and skillfully
assisted the LMCC staff in relating to and caring for participants
during their stay.
Daily morning lectures provided an overview of Wright’s life work,
insight on his design concepts, and glimpses of the relationship
between Wright and his patrons. One particularly energetic session
featured a cantilever-constructing competition in which pairs worked
to construct cantilevers using only paper and tape in hopes that
their engineering would support the most wooden blocks. Morning sessions
such as this one served as a helpful foundation for further understanding
the houses visited in the afternoons.
Monday afternoon whet the group’s appetite for their Wright visits
with a trip to Polymath Park. The park boasts one of only a few Wright
homes in the world which is available for overnight stays. Know as
the Duncan House, this building was relocated from Illinois to join
two neighboring homes built by apprentices of Wright. The second
visit during the week was to Kentuck Knob and provided the opportunity
to experience many unique and inspiring spaces such as the hexagonal
kitchen which one participant likened “to standing in certain religious
buildings.”
The week culminated in a private, behind-the-scenes experience at
Fallingwater which was an awe-inspiring, “dream come true” for many
participants, several of whom had visited countless other Wright
homes over the years. As a way of reflecting on their visit to Fallingwater
and the other homes, Cara Armstrong, Curator of Education at Fallingwater,
led the group in a creative writing exercise that had individuals
identify the feelings elicited from the qualities of a chosen space.
The poems shed light on the many different angles from which individuals
enter a room and how they might or might not imagine themselves as
a part of the space.
The program was well-received by all and both participants and staff
noted the congenial spirit of the group as they built relationships
and enhanced their knowledge of a renowned artist. Coordinator Angela
Dietzel reflected on the week by saying, “experiencing the curiosity,
energy and passion this group had for learning was truly an inspiration.
It was a privilege to host such a diverse and accomplished group
of individuals.” Laurelville plans to host this program again in
2010.
Laurelville is a provider for Elderhostel, an international organization
that provides opportunities in lifelong learning. In addition to
the Frank Lloyd Wright program Laurelville offers two outdoor adventure
programs: “Bicycling on the Great Allegheny Passage” which covers
100 miles of the converted railroad bed that runs from Pittsburgh
to Cumberland, MD and Hiking Adventure in the Laurel Highlands” which
explores a variety of regional hikes. For more information visit
www.laurelville.org.
|
