Fallingwater
Also known as: Edgar Kaufman House
Why it's listed
Fallingwater is a country house at Bear Run in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Edgar Kaufmann, a Pittsburgh department store owner. The main house was begun in 1936 and completed in 1937, and a guest house with servants' quarters, a garage and a swimming pool was added to the rear in 1938. Its concrete trays are cantilevered over a waterfall, and its sandstone, glass and flagstone walls and floors draw on the surrounding rock. Wright designed most of the built-in furniture, which uses walnut veneer. The house is valued for its design and for Wright's late work, built during the depression. In 1963 Edgar Kaufmann Jr. gave the property and an endowment to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, which maintains it and conducts tours.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its design and for its architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. It describes the building as a creative work of architecture that is an extension of its natural surroundings rather than an intrusion on them. It also calls it probably Wright's greatest residential structure and one of the best of his career, built during the depression.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 74001781, listed July 23, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W of PA 381, Mill Run |
|---|---|
| County | Fayette County |
| Listed | July 23, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001781 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1936-1938 |
| Architect / builder | Frank Lloyd Wright (architect) |
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Conservation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 11, 1976 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Unaltered, original site; the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy maintains the property and conducts tours. |
| Coordinates | 39.90623, -79.46795 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 74001781.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q463179
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.