Relocating a Frank Lloyd Wright house

Polymath Park, in southwest Pennsylvania, offers visitors not only a unique opportunity to tour houses designed or inspired by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, but also a chance to spend a night in one. Correspondent Lee Cowan talks with the park's proprietors, and with a Minnesota couple whose Wright-designed home was rescued by relocating it, piece by piece, to Pennsylvania.
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[@jtstacey83]

to think some of these homes have been torn down for a strip mall or a walmart just hurts my soul.

[@rsprockets7846]

Our neighbors 1925. Brick home was eazed for an Indian therapy office that now site 3 quarter emoty

[@patrickmccarron5059]

Capitalism saved these houses from being destroyed. By making money on their park and visitors who pay to stay and tour the homes and park, this couple is able to afford to purchase these homes, pay for the craftsmanship to dismantle and then erect at their park for future generations to enjoy.

[@RicardoMartinez-jy5lo]

It would have hurt Llyod Wright's soul even more than ours. He would be so grateful at what this video shows.

[@JLNeis]

This couple should be rewarded for all their efforts. All we can say is one short word, BEAUTIFUL!

[@mikeycbaby]

We have one in Oregon that was almost torn down by the new owners of the property it was on. My friend and I worked on a mural in the owner's McMansion and they spoke about the Lloyd house with disdain because they couldn't demolish it when the state and preservation groups stepped in to save it. Thankfully it was moved and restored several miles away to the Oregon Gardens in Silverton.

[@PacoOtis]

The world needs more people like these!

[@judibarth7999]

Wow, saving those homes is something fantastic to have done! Frank Lloyd Wright was an amazing architect!

[@quadb723]

Have a little know Wright designed house in Rockford Il, The Laurent House, his only handicap accessible home he designed, for a disabled veteran.

[@3742enigma]

I got to go inside it once.

[@bonniewalker9421]

A friend of my mothers Lou Penfield owned a Frank Lolyd Wright home in northern Ohio exclusively designed and built for Mr.Penfield. Lou was personal friends with Mr.Wright. Together they collaborated on designing another Wright home for Lou. At the time Lou Penfield was teaching Art 🖼 at Mayfield High School. Lou told me that the day he received the second set of architectural plans from his friend Frank was the same day that Frank Loyd Wright passed away. Lou never built the second Wright home. He happily lived in the first one deep in the woods until he passed away. Lou Penfield’s son inherited the second set of the Wright/Penfield architectural plans. I was a teenager when invited to a bonfire party on the grounds. I had just completed the term paper on Frank Loyd Wright. In my 30’s Lou invited me to spend a day at his Wright Home. We spent most of the time foraging through the woods and discovering branches and interesting stones. The Penfield’s were early settlers to our area and I believe they originally arrived on the Mayflower if I remember Lou’s story correctly. He was a gem. I greatly admire the preservation of these historically important Wright Homes. I live in a Sears & Roebuck Catalogue Home called The Windsor. Built by my grandparents in 1925. The home was named after The Duke of Windsor who eventually became King Edward who abdicated the throne of England for the woman he loved.

[@KevinHandydfw]

Gorgeous house: www.penfieldhouse.com/

[@glory5918]

@@KevinHandydfw - Wrights Penfield House presentation talk ~ kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3Spe6mKmduSo7s

[@the_resourceful]

To live in a FLW house would be a dream come true.

[@deedreamccarthy6666]

PolyMath is on my " I have to go there right now! "list. This makes my heart happy.

[@jamesfarrell8339]

The look on their faces was priceless when they saw their old house put back together Very heart warming Beautiful story I really enjoyed it Have a wonderful day

[@RicardoMartinez-jy5lo]

I was very moved, above all because this is away from Ukraine's war and all those sad events of today's world.

[@carolz5090]

Countless beautiful, historical buildings have been demolished in the name of progress and monstrosities constructed in their place. It’s important to protect and preserve great architecture, and Wright primarily built residences. They are needed for us to enjoy, and as a reference for other architects and interior designers. They were absolutely revolutionary in their time, and in many ways still are today. If this gentleman can finance that through having guests stay there, great. Wright designed for a specific placement on a property, but if a property no longer exists as Wright saw it this is a fantastic solution.

[@49littlethoughts]

So true... Not blind opposition to progress, but opposition to blind progress...John Muir

[@gerryfedde3040]

Of course, Pennsylvania is where you'd want Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural orphans to find a permanent home. That's where arguably his greatest architectural triumph, Falling Water, resides. So glad these gems found a happy ending with people who so lovingly care.

[@yvonneplant9434]

There's also one on a nondescript street in Ardmore, Pa(suburban Phila).

[@henrylivingstone2800]

Sad thing is despite its visual splendor, ‘Falling Water’ is structurally sound neither was it engineered to last on such a dynamic setting. There are reports that the floor on the main living space is bowing due to the suspension of the floor. But thank goodness there are efforts to save it.

[@lgblgb7489]

@@henrylivingstone2800 - Actually, there was a report that during construction Wright’s instructions were ignored; he specified that the floors should not be crowned (the practice of placing the floor joists with their natural curve face up, so that the weight of the flooring and other loads would flatten that curve, compressing the planks together to reduce creaking). Since the floor was flagstone, and the parapets along their edges concrete, if they had not crowned the floors the weight would have flattened out the joists instead of pronouncing their curve and causing sagging.

[@NipkowDisk]

Fallingwater = Rising Mildew...

[@jarst50]

Kentuck knob is just on the other side of Ohiopyle park from Fallingwater.

[@micheledimond]

So awesome these people are preserving Wright's beautiful work and it would be truly incredible to stay there! Kudos to them!

[@2425eryy]

CBS needs to do more stories like this.

[@jillmahoney1009]

Wow…. Very teary-eyed here. Loved, … no, LOVE his designs. ❤️❤️❤️

[@pseminario4279]

Lovely story! glad to see that this unconventional method of conservation is keeping these FLW homes standing and lovingly preserved!

[@robrobbey]

A time when homes did not look like every other house on the block.

[@s0nnyburnett]

You can have the home of your choosing if you have the money or the skills.

[@QueenZenaTheFirst]

That is a long tie. Beautiful augment. Even buildings have energy

[@hillaryroberts3623]

Incredible commitment

[@brentfisher6484]

Brought me to tears. What a great story about an amazing couple and a marvelous effort (to save these homes and their legacy) they are steering. Wonderful.

[@KevinHandydfw]

Polymath Park is an example of what should be for Wright orphans. Many more will come on the market today as I believe 60,000 Wright Usonians were built and we will see so many more that people will want nice prices for but that will not sell. This couple is amazing. I hope they can make enough money on the project to provide ongoing support for Polymath Park.

[@marvinmartion1178]

Thankyou so very much for this. As a carpenter for 50 years this brings tears to my eyes. Wright truly is one of the world's greatest ! And to see the couple reunited with there home was just awesome! Thankyou again!

[@bonniewalker9421]

I live in a Sears & Roebuck Catalogue Home called The Windsor. My grandparents built it in 1925. I understand your passion and appreciation of a structurally sound and esthetic ally appealing structure.

[@sherrygiambalvo2288]

This also brought tears to my eyes. To see the reaction on their faces, when they saw it whole again in Pennsylvania, was priceless! 💕

[@johnnyjames7139]

@@bonniewalker9421 I repaired appliances for Sears for 23 years, and I designed and built my own home, no masterpiece, just home.

[@RicardoMartinez-jy5lo]

I doubt it Le Corbusier is as great as Lloyd Wright, my bias because I am a lover of nature.

[@kirk4086]

I've been to Fallingwaters... His homes are incredible! This should certainly be on your bucket list! Make it so! 12-22...update, just visited Polymath Park...unbelievable, got my picture taken with Mr Tom...my daughter made this happen... Please Go! Find a way!

[@davidwilliams7935]

Then you should know it's Fallingwater.

[@kirk4086]

@@davidwilliams7935 at 64, I'm lucky enough to figure out this dam computer...lol... Thanks!

[@timmmahhhh]

@@kirk4086 perfect response well played

[@kirk4086]

@@timmmahhhh what is your favorite color...lol...lol...

[@kirk4086]

@@timmmahhhh sorry, you're not the Bridge keeper... That's right...big teeth...killer rabbit...thou shalt count to three... Thanks again!

[@rajsingharora26]

& i was here last month....seeing all three homes after seeing Fallingwater :)

[@sirwilliams3885]

The people involved in this project most have had manny sleepless nights having that massive responsibility. I’m sure that , that will be on top of their list of achievements as it would be for me..👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@kathleenh3975]

I'm going there this Thursday! Now I know how it fits in the FLW universe. :)

[@gwendolynsinclair]

How cool!

[@iashakezula]

This is awesome! Thank you for saving his work for generations to come . I’m in my 50’s now but when I was just a little child my father would work on his desk to design homes and he has a big architectural book of Frank LLoyd Wright design with pictures of the building and I would skim through it a lot.I would be at the job site with my father too .My father designed our house in Cebu Philippines , it was built with elements from FLW plus some Japanese flair lol . That house was different.Unfortunately we don’t own that house anymore. Now in my older years , I still yearn to build a house with similar design. Ps I didn’t become an architect I became a nurse.Seeing FLW work brings back fond memories of my father.

[@apollion888]

Frank Lloyd Wright houses always make me cry, this was no exception.

[@etekweb]

I'm from Cloquet (where the house was before). Came across this house once by accident while exploring the edges of Pine Valley during high school cross country. Twas a beautiful house, but yeah, the frontage road development on that side of 33 did make it quite a bit less secluded than I'm sure it once was. I heard it was getting moved, interesting to see what this entails!

[@faj1968]

This made me cry tears of thank-you-and-I-want-to-stay-there. We've pilgrimaged to Fallingwater. Will make sure to book here for the next-decade visit. (From Manila, PH)

[@charlesgallagher1376]

Tour the Martin and Greycliff Wright homes in Buffalo.

[@jamesfarrell8339]

Generations from now will still be thinking of that wonderful couple who worked so hard making sure they were preserved Some where up in heaven Frank must be smiling down on that couple and appreciating all the fuss Have a wonderful day 😊

[@Dontleavemedimi]

I actually teared up…

[@BaumannJA]

Mr. Wright's Genius is indeed timeless.

[@RodgerDodger196]

LEARNING ABOUT FRANK LOYD WRIGHT IN SIXTH GRADE-SEEING THIS VIDEO AND KNOWING THE IMPORTANCE OF SAVING HISTORICAL HOMES-REALLY CHOKES ME UP!!

[@leeboriack8054]

Frank Lloyd Wright homes are an experience not to be missed.

[@sammyjo8109]

I have been to "The Dana Thomas House" built by Frank Lloyd so many times ( over 100 ) I could give the tours. When I do go I'm telling the roup things about the home even the guides didn't know. His homes are amazing.

[@jacobcarolan1172]

Back when I was a teenager and I mowed grass I used to mow a yard across the street from a Frank Loyd Wright house. It was absolutely beautiful.

[@bransonwillis1672]

Unbelievable devotion.

[@adelaferreira4575]

Wooow what a story ! Frank Lloyd WRIGHT’s design jewels for the loving people who can appreciate them

[@JamesAllmond]

We have one of his houses in Macon, Ga. Current owners put an edition on it...so much for historical legacy...

[@susiefisch]

I think you meant “addition”, not edition. Unless you were telling us that the current owners made the house smaller!

[@KevinHandydfw]

What a shame. Mr. Wright would often provide for additions in his original plan. He realized that families would grow and change and that they would need more room for their families. Rather than go through the experience again many Wright clients of course left for something less expensive and more conventional.

[@SirManDudeGuy1]

It's kind of a living Frank Lloyd Wright museum that you can also experience for the day/night. Awesome idea from awesome people!

[@craigtalbot607]

Literal tears!! This is beyond amazing!! Sooo happy for the couple who saw their house in its future glory!!

[@c7eye]

Bless these people

[@Davett53]

In Ohio there a many F.L.Wright homes, that have been restored and they offer tours of them. We have gone to many of them and I just love exploring them. In Columbus, Ohio there is a whole neighborhood, of homes designed and built by a disciple / student of FL Wright's. The area is called Rush Creek, built near the small river of the same name. There may be a dozen homes, hidden in the heavily wooded, area. In the 1980s, I worked in art gallery in Columbus, Ohio and my coworker, an older lady, owned one of those houses. Each one had a name,...named by the architect. Like "The Keyhole" house,....( I wish I could remember the others). Just last year or so in 2019 or 2020,...one was restored, and there was a wonderful photo documentary of the grounds and building. Another one, not in the same area,.....across town, had been abandoned and was rotting into dust,..and a local architect saved it and restored it completely. Also amazing looking, with all the details of those classic FL Wright homes. Those low-slung ones, a single story,......they are in harmony with the nature around them. They aren't everyone's cup a tea,.....so to speak. They use raw concrete block for the interior walls and lots of dark wall panels of wood. But they are filled with unique "Wright-ian" details. Everything is /was designed by the architect. The lighting, the furnishings, the interior and exterior. To enjoy them, look on-line for: "Usonian" styled homes,...(a FL Wright, invented word). Rush Creek, Columbus,Ohio and "The Gunning House", Columbus, Ohio. The disciple of Wright, the architect, & his name was Theodore van Fossen.

[@oogrooq]

Hey that's pretty neat. Nice job, y'all.

[@mariapilarme]

I am so happy they are wonderful people that think about architectural preservation .

[@sburris65]

It would be a privilege to own a FLW home. It is an honor to even visit one. An honor I've been very blessed to have including Taliesin in AZ. Just sitting in that home knowing that that's where his brilliant mind worked is something I'll never forget.

[@ediebaxter6194]

Awesome story. Glad they preserved the homes.

[@vivekgovekar6342]

So happy that these amazing homes are getting the care that they need.

[@amym.483]

We have a FLW house in Buffalo. Very popular. You can't stay in it but you can tour it. He was a genius.

[@ScottHughes-n4u]

The Darwin Martin house. Very beautiful!

[@steinway1901]

Very moving video. Tears with repeated viewings. Very lovely couple who are restoring these houses. A question: are these houses being restored with the help of the Frank Lloyd Wright foundation? They look beautiful. Just curious?

[@wisediscernment2403]

What a beautiful story, so inspiring!

[@shubus]

What a wonderful story and very well told. So great to see another FLW house saved.

[@ariestommy]

What a lovely story!!!!!!!!! Wow!

[@gedigi9010]

Beautiful .

[@bigskygemsmontana9464]

Finally a great news story from you all.

[@mikewangg]

I’m 20 years old and have always heard of Frank Lloyd Wright, but I never realized how big of an architect he was. I’m from a small town just outside of New York City, and there is a small historic development called “Usonia” with houses designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and homes that he approved of. It’s 95 acres with lots of trees and meant to be part of his Broadacre City Concept I believe. I used to drive by there while in high school and was fascinated by them, but never knew that he was the one who designed and inspired those homes.

[@TangledNana]

Wow, this is such an encouraging story! I Love the vision God has given this couple. We need more people like this with a preservation/restoration mentality.

[@Sonnymonster]

I love what this man is doing💙

[@tolin6438]

A labor of love.

[@naturalandproud6363]

We stumbled upon this house 2 years ago and when I saw the gate and the roof line, I knew it was a FLW home. My husband didn't believe me, so he took out his phone and looked it up. Not only did he learn that I was right, but that a movie was filmed here. Big fan of FLW

[@davidcopperfield-notthemag397]

Wow! What a massive undertaking! Wonderful idea to gather these one of a kind incredible houses!

[@peacenow4456]

Home IS where the Heart lives!

[@charlenemorris5516]

So glad they r saving FLW houses…..

[@TheGazaMethodChannel]

I can hardly believe you were able to not just take one of these 60 year old homes apart--but to put it back together again? Holy cow! I live in a house that was built in 1947 and just fixing this thing took a lot of effort I cant imagine what you have done was even possible. Koodos. You are sui generis.

[@johnmoon3848]

Thank you! Thank you! ☀🌞

[@americandream74]

Beautiful! Thank you for saving them!

[@marjanp4784]

Give that man a Nobel prize...

[@honeybloomgarden2886]

Love this 🥰 thanks for sharing 💗

[@fouraces1949]

We have a FLW house in our town and it’s our claim to fame!

[@JayYoung-ro3vu]

We have a Frank Lloyd Wright located in our city. The Foundation denied for decades that it was such because (I believe) it was designed by an understudy? It changed 20 years ago when the property went up for sale and a team was assembled to purchase and restore the home. The home was designed and built for a local industrialist who produced automobiles in the 1920s. The Wescott House 'screams' Frank Lloyd Wright. Fun fact: I worked with the then owner's son in mid-late 1980s. He stated that it had been subdivided into four apartments, had retained some of its charm but needed someone to bring it all/as much back as possible.

[@childrenslivesmatter3073]

Beautiful architecture.

[@beckyscheller9358]

Lovely story

[@Allinmyworld]

Omg this is so cool would love to see this

[@Corielle6115]

I used to work as a Tour Guide at Taliesen West in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was a very heart warming to see what these two couples did. I haven't had any contact with Taliesin West since I left in 2016 but I'm sure they are aware of this project. Frank wanted to build houses for the average USA citizen but they ended up, when finished, to be more expensive than most average people could afford. Sadly, even in Arizona, my experience has been that the average USA citizen has largely forgotten his legacy. He didn't like being called "Frank" so I suppose, for the purists, I should recognize him as Mr. Wright.

[@moshebigelow5308]

Beautiful, Amazing. My Aunt Evelyn a long with my brother and others that mean so much to me would love this. Wow!

[@russbear31]

There are a couple a FLW Prairie Schooner houses near me. Gorgeous houses. One sold recently for a small mint.

[@suzisaintjames]

WOW! Very cool!👍. 💖🌞🌵😷

[@krazmokramer]

FABULOUS!

[@waterbourne9282]

That is one nicely styled home.

[@binnins1982]

Very cool! Glad to see it saved. Also glad it wasnt the last one left here in Minnesota. Still a few of his homes hidden around the state.

[@BitSmythe]

0:06 “Only about half were built…” because they were still fixing leaks in the other ones. We still love ‘em! I was familiar with two of his homes where I grew up.

[@anthonymonteverde1210]

They can also visit his winter home Talisen West in Scottdale, Arizona

[@raysville7256]

Soul nourishing segment. Imagine if just a few billionaires in this country could bask in this light.

[@pamelafolger8449]

Fantastic!!😊😊💖💖👍

[@CH67guy1]

And wow does that living room remind me of Kentuck Knob. I love Kentuck Knob, just about an hour from where I live.

[@starcrib]

Just Marvelous...and anyone who gets it...gets it. 🎬👁👍🏼

[@lourdescisneros6768]

Wonderful!

[@lisasnyder6291]

Brilliant idea!

[@guillerminastover7099]

Love this!!!

[@priscillawagner8520]

A very nice story. 🌼♥️

[@thebedlamboy2248]

Very nice for you to find missing history and rebuild it.

[@stevemorris270]

That's a nice story!

[@karenlacy8950]

Great tribute for such a genius

[@ericlightfoot8802]

Just WOW!!!!

[@steveparker2938]

FLW designed specific homes and building for specific sites. I think he would approve of this move.

[@c7eye]

I want to stay in one

[@holleyjomartinez4009]

Wonderful! ♥️

[@lafabricadebodas]

wonderous!

[@PerspectiveEngineer]

Nice work... Nice work.