Longtime Fallingwater Director Lynda Waggoner to Retire in Early 2018

Lynda S. Waggoner started at Fallingwater in 1965 when she was just 17 years old. “I arrived here to be a guide – an anxious teenager fearful of speaking in public,” she said.

Now after more than 40 years of working at Fallingwater in various positions and capacities – from curator to site administrator – Lynda will retire from her current position as director of Fallingwater and vice president of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in February 2018. She’s held that position since 1996.

Calling her decades-long work as Fallingwater’s director as an unbelievable joy and honor that has permeated all parts of her life, Lynda said that it is now time to let someone else have the privilege and pleasure of looking after Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece.

“Thanks to our terrific staff, Fallingwater is in good shape both physically and fiscally,” she said. “We have wonderful educational programs, and now, with the completion of High Meadow, the impact of Fallingwater can only grow locally and beyond.”
Thomas Saunders, president and CEO of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, said Lynda has provided the very highest example of superb and sustaining leadership at Fallingwater.

“Lynda brings immense expertise in architectural history, historic preservation, and understanding of the works of Wright, as well as detailed knowledge of Fallingwater, its origins, and its profound significance,” Tom said. “She has an appreciation for the house as design, as innovation, as design with nature, as advancement in architecture worthy of a World Heritage nomination, and as a rare and beautiful setting for millions of visitors over the years whether from the Pittsburgh area or from remote parts of the world.”

During and after the transition to find a replacement, Lynda will continue to work to advance Fallingwater’s nomination in the United States’ submission to the United Nations’ World Heritage List of significant cultural landmarks. Fallingwater is among a group of key Wright-designed buildings that is part of the nomination.

In a letter to staff and supporters, Tom thanked Lynda for her extraordinary leadership and accomplishments at the Conservancy and Fallingwater.

“She has established an international reputation as a scholar of Fallingwater, and Wright and his architecture, and she represents the Conservancy and Fallingwater across the world,” he said. “I have tremendous appreciation and admiration for all that she has done as Vice President of the Conservancy and Director of Fallingwater – and sadness that she will be leaving this position.”

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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 132 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 Contacts:

Clinton Piper
Museum Programs Assistant
724-329-7821 (office)
cpiper@paconserve.org

Carmen Bray
Director of Communications
412-586-2358 (office)
cbray@paconserve.org