Fallingwater renovations continue with guided tours resuming

Fallingwater, the famous home designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is undergoing its most extensive restoration in 20 years. This work aims to protect the iconic structure, which is famous for its unique design over a waterfall in Fayette County. The renovation project, called "World Heritage Preserved: Forging the Future of Fallingwater," will cost $7 million and is supported by a state grant and private donations. Work started in February 2023 at the guest house, and already some renovations have been completed. The main house renovations began in December 2024, and scaffolding will be removed in time for the tour season. Contractors are focusing on preventing water damage by sealing areas of the main and guest houses. They are using techniques like repointing and regrouting, and upgrading waterproof materials. Schedule-wise, the project is expected to finish in March 2026. Pamela Jerome, an expert in architectural preservation, is overseeing the project. She previously worked on renovations two decades ago and is familiar with fallingwater’s complexities. Tours are being offered during the restoration to give visitors insight into the work being done. Fallingwater was constructed in 1936 as a weekend home for the Kaufmann family, who donated it to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in 1963. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1976 and joined the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2019. Normal tours are expected to resume on April 7.