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Twilight tour set at world-famous Fallingwater

By Jean Lohr For The 4 min read

Jack Rowley has found his own little piece of heaven. But he is willing to share. A communication specialist at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Rowley usually commutes from the North Hills where he lives to the Conservancy office on Fourth Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh.

“But I love it when I have to spend the day at Fallingwater,” Rowley said. “It is absolutely the most perfect place.”

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy will hold the 12th annual Twilight Tour and Evening of Jazz Aug. 26 on the grounds of the world-famous summer home. Rowley hopes for a full house that evening.

“This is a fund-raiser for the Conservancy, so part of the ticket price is tax deductible.

“Space is limited, so call,” he said emphasizing, “call sooner rather than later.”

Fallingwater is listed in the current National Geographic magazine, Traveler, as one of “50 places of a lifetime” – right up there with the Grand Canyon National Park and Mount Rushmore.

“People don’t usually get to see Fallingwater after dark,” he said, “so just for that, this is a very special event.”

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and entrusted into conservancy by the Kauffman family, Fallingwater is an architectural masterpiece that focuses on organic architecture – architecture that promotes harmony between man and nature through an integrated design.

The American Institute of Architects voted Mill Run’s famous tourist attraction “the most important building of the 20th century.”

Constructed over a waterfall along Bear Run, Fallingwater is the only Wright-designed house that remains complete with its setting, original furnishings and pieces of art intact. It is the centerpiece of the Laurel Highlands.

The Twilight Tour and Evening of Jazz will begin with hors d’oeuvres and wine on the bridge leading to the structure.

“People can wander the grounds and tour the house at their own pace,” Rowley said. “Visitors can watch dusk fall on the countryside. … It is a magnificent setting.”

Rowley, a former journalist, is glad he’s found a job where he feels he is making a difference. Fallingwater’s large collection of art holds the key to part of its beauty, he noted.

“There are 950 works of art in and around Fallingwater,” he said. “There is really a lot of decorative art and two-dimensional pieces. … just so much to see.”

To his eye, though, nothing comes close to a concrete cast that is visible “on the walkway from Fallingwater to the guesthouse.

“My favorite is that of an African-American actress named Rose McClendon (1884-1936),” he said. “It was done by Richmond Barthe.”

Barthe was a black Harlem Renaissance sculptor who died in 1989.

“There are so many elements that came together to make this happen,” he said of the event.

At sunset, a path lined with lanterns will guide the guests to a nearby meadow where they will share a gourmet picnic dinner made complete with the renderings of renowned jazz vocalist Lisa Ferraro who will be accompanied by her own musicians.

Also on the grounds and open for that evening is The Barn at Fallingwater, a conference and event center, also surrounded by the 5,000-acre Bear Run Nature Reserve.

A multi-functional, comfortable gathering place, The Barn will host an exhibit of landscape paintings by Lynn Boggess until Sept. 10. Focusing on nature free of human influence,

Boggess uses oils, cement trowels and palette knife to create textured landscapes in low relief.

“There is not a more romantic spot to share with someone special,” Rowley concluded.

For more information about the 12th annual Twilight Tour and Jazz Festival, to make reservations or to join the Conservancy, contact the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy at 724-329-8501.

For general or group tour information, hours of operation, or to learn more about Fallingwater, the Kaufmanns or the Bear Rock estate designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, visit the Web site at www.paconserve.org.

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