ACME, Pa., (June 26, 2019) – Sixty years after the death of America’s most prominent architect, Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy lives on not only at his landmarks like Fallingwater and Taliesen West, but also in architecture schools across the world.
Wright’s legacy also lives on with Tom and Heather Papinchak, owners of Frank Lloyd Wright at Polymath Park, an architectural park tucked away in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, where Wright fans can tour and stay overnight in two of his designs, including the newly-rebuilt Mäntylä house, and two homes designed by one of his apprentices, Peter Berndtson.
Built for the Lindholm family in Cloquet, Minn., Mäntylä had been on the market for many years and was in danger of demolition due to encroaching development. The property owners donated the home and all of its original furnishings to the Usonian Preservation Inc., a nonprofit associated with Frank Lloyd Wright at Polymath Park, in hopes that Mäntylä would find a new life. Thanks to the Papinchaks, it did. The L-shaped home with a distinct prow is now tucked away under the towering trees of Frank Lloyd Wright at Polymath Park and officially opened to visitors for tours and overnight lodging in early May 2019.
Finnish for “under the pines,” the three-bedroom, two-bath Mäntylä features its original Wright-designed furniture, abundant natural light streaming in from walls of glass and strategically-placed windows, and a palette of earth tones to complement the natural surroundings. An expansive terrace overlooks a stream, native flowers, and towering trees.
Frank Lloyd Wright at Polymath Park offers various tour and event options, along with overnight lodging, at Mäntylä, Wright’s Duncan House, which was relocated from Lisle, Ill., and rebuilt onsite in 2007, as well as the apprentice designed Balter and Blum homes. Tour options include daily guided tours, lunch or dinner tours, and specialty tours including Mimosa at Mäntylä and Dine at Wright’s Table Tour. Tours are available March through December. Polymath Park is closed Wednesday and select holidays.
Just a short scenic drive from Polymath Park are Wright’s masterpiece, Fallingwater, and his grand Usonian, Kentuck Knob, making the Laurel Highlands a must-visit for architecture fans.
About Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands
A magnificent mountainous region, the Laurel Highlands spans 3,000 square miles in southwestern Pennsylvania. Located an hour’s drive east of Pittsburgh, the beautiful four-season destination offers spectacular natural scenery, outstanding outdoor recreation, historic sites and attractions, family activities, and world-class resorts. Notable destinations within the region include four architectural masterpieces by Frank Lloyd Wright – Fallingwater®, Kentuck Knob, Mäntylä and Duncan House – Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Flight 93 National Memorial, Idlewild and Soak Zone, whitewater rafting at Ohiopyle State Park, and more.
Located within 200 miles of the major metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Washington D.C., the Laurel Highlands can be easily accessed from exits 67, 75, 91, and 110 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Visitors to the Laurel Highlands can find information online at www.LaurelHighlands.org, calling 724.238.5661, www.facebook.com/laurelhighlandsPA and www.twitter.com/laurelhighlands. Established in 1958, the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties in southwestern Pennsylvania.
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