Fallingwater Tours Still Occurring Despite High Water and Flooding on Bear Run

Heavy rain overnight caused Bear Run, the stream that flows below Fallingwater, to flood and overflow. There is no damage to the interior of Fallingwater. Public tours of Fallingwater are still proceeding today, but under a 30-45 minute delay.

The storm did not damage the Visitors Center or The Barn at Fallingwater. However, the statue “Mother and Child I” by sculptor Jacques Lipchitz, is currently in the stream and trees by the guest house have been damaged. Mother and Child I, positioned by Fallingwater’s plunge pool, was cast by Lithuanian-born American sculptor Jacques Lipchitz (circa 1941-1942). It is the only known example from Lipchitz’ original mold, which was destroyed by a fire in 1952. We will assess the condition of this sculpture once we can safely lift it out of the stream.

Visitors should call Fallingwater Visitor Services at 724-329-8501 if they have a question about a scheduled tour. Updates will be available on Facebook, Twitter and on our website, Fallingwater.org, as we continue to assess any further damages. The Western Pennsylvania owns and operates Fallingwater, which is located in Mill Run, Pa. in Fayette County.

UPDATE: The “Mother and Child” statue by sculptor Jacques Lipchitz was safely removed from Bear Run on July 15 and the trees by the guest house have been cleared. Follow us on social media for more updates.

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About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) enhances the region by protecting and restoring exceptional places. A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped to establish 10 state parks, conserved more than a quarter million acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams. The Conservancy owns and operates Fallingwater, which symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through 130 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of about 12,000 volunteers. The work of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is accomplished through the support of more than 10,000 members. For more information, visit WaterLandLife.org or Fallingwater.org.

Media contact for questions on July 15 and July 16, 2017:

Carmen Bray
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
412-586-2358 (office)
412-608-3617 (cell)
cbray@paconserve.org