Avery Drawings & Archives Collections
 

    Columbia University Finding Aids > Avery Drawings & Archives Collections > Edgar J. Kaufmann papers on Fallingwater, 1909-1976, bulk 1932-1955

Edgar J. Kaufmann papers on Fallingwater, 1909-1976, bulk 1932-1955

Table of Contents

Container List

View All

Series II: Fallingwater (Bear Run, Pa.)

This series comprises photographs, project records, architectural drawings, articles and other printed materials on Frank Lloyd Wright's master work of residential architecture, Edgar J. Kaufmann's residence, Fallingwater. These materials were amassed by Kaufmann during the course of Fallingwater's conception, construction, and subsequent promotion.

All external visitors, including alumni, must meet the University's primary COVID-19 vaccination series mandate and are required to adhere to the University's COVID-19 policies . After clicking 'Submit Request', users will login with their UNI and password (Columbia affiliates) or their special collections account (external users). Appointments are required and will be arranged according to each individual repository's policy.

Subseries 1: Photographs

Subseries 1: Photographs: consists of 174 photographs, documenting four stages of the Bear Run property: its previous incarnation as the Kaufmann Summer Camp, the construction of Fallingwater, formal exterior photographs of the completed house, and photographs of the damage caused to the house by a flood in 1956. The photographs are predominantly black and white images of the house alone, though the collection also includes several color photographs and transparencies of Mr. and Mrs. Kaufmann on the terrace in the early 1950s, which aroused delighted surprise in Frank Lloyd Wright (as evidenced in the correspondence), as they were sent to him amid rumors of their possible divorce.


Box 02 Folder 13 Kaufmann Summer Camp, undated

Photographs : 3 items ; re : photos glued to black construction paper


Box 02 Folder 14 Construction [1 of 3], c.1936

Photographs : 40 items ; 1 binder


Box 02 Folder 15 Construction [2 of 3], c.1936

Photographs : 39 items ; 1 binder


Box 02 Folder 16 Construction [3 of 3], 1936

Photographs : 5 items ; 1 binder


Box 06 Folder 03 Construction and Exterior, c. 1936

Photographs : 12 items ; re : Hedrich Blessing Studio black and white photographs of Fallingwater completed and during construction (all but on are mounted on board)


Box 07 Exterior, undated

Photographs : 20 items ; re : 20 loose black and white photographs of Fallingwater, mounted on board (in 4 folders)


Box 02 Folder 17 Mr. and Mrs. Kaufmann, c.1950

Color photographs : 2 items ; Color transparencies : 4 items


Box 02 Folder 18 Flood damage, 1956

Photographs : 56 items ; Inventory : 1 item ; Letter : 1 item ; re : letter to Edgar J. Kaufmann Jr. from Mellon National Bank and Trust Company with photos enclosed

Subseries 2: Project Records

Subseries 2: Project Records: consists of engineering, forestry, wildlife/fish & game reports, property assessments, engineering drawings, site specifications, elevations, survey maps, project cost estimates, product pamphlets, work schedules and inventories.Early property assessments included in the collection were generally favorable, concluding that the site was well-suited to its contemporary function as a summer camp. Documents pertaining to the period during which Fallingwater was actually constructed include estimates and pamphlets related to upholstery and bathrooms, as well as the gatelodge built on the property, though other related documents regarding the construction of the home can be found in the correspondence. Site specifications also include those for the Visitors Center, built after the house was reconceived as a museum.


Box 03 Folder 01 Tract of land in Stewart Township - Fayette County (Pa.), undated

Bound report : 1 item


Box 03 Folder 02 Kaufmann Summer Camp survey map, undated

Map : 1 item ; re : copy of survey map on glossy photo paper: "Kaufmann Dep't. Store Co. / Bear Run Camp"


Box 03 Folder 03 Engineering files of Morris Knowles, Inc., 1920-1940

Engineering drawings : 4 items ; Letters : 4 items ; re : files of Morris Knowles, Inc., related to development of Bear Run and to the feasibility of building Fallingwater ; includes report from 1920 assessing the property


Box 06 Folder 01 Bear Run Property Reports, 1932

Binder : 1 item ; re : Engineering, Forestry, Wildlife/Fish & Game reports and survey maps


Box 03 Folder 04 Engineering drawings and reports, 1936-1955

Elevation reports : 3 ; Elevation graphic representations : 4 ; 6 blueprint copies of each ; Letter : 1 ; with elevation readings ; Drawings : 7 items ; blueprints of perspectives with engineers' notes ; re : Metzger-Richardson Co., 1936-1942 ; Hunting, Davis & Dunnells/Hunting, Larsen & Dunnells, 1945-1955


Box 03 Folder 05 Gatelodge specifications, undated

Binder : 1 item ; re : specifications for Gatelodge for Edgar J. Kaufmann Jr., Bear Run, Pennsylvania; Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect


Box 03 Folder 06 Upholstery, 1937

Project cost estimates : 3 items ; Note : 1 item ; Pamphlets : 2 items ; re : Dunlop Cushioning pamphlet , Dunlopillo Cushioned Hospital and Sick Room Equipment pamphlet


Box 03 Folder 07 Bathrooms, 1937

Quotes : 3 items ; Brochures : 2 items ; re : price quotes from Standard Sanitary Mfg. Co., Kohler Plumbing, Bailey-Farrell Mfg. Co. ; plumbing fixtures recommendations from Kohler and Bailey-Farrell


Box 04 Folder 01 Kitchen cabinets and counter, 1937

Drawings : 3 items ; re : 2 blue print copies of Fallingwater kitchen ; copy of sink/countertop drawing from L.A. Rust Co


Box 03 Folder 08 Indexes of Fallingwater drawings, 1951-1961

Indexes : 5 items ; Notes : 4 items ; re : transport of blueprints/drawings


Box 03 Folder 09 Work Schedules and inventory, 1957

Binder : 1 item


Box 03 Folder 10 Visitors Center Specifications, 1977

Book : 1 item ; re : Gift of Alfred Willis, Feb. 1987)


Box 06 Folder 04 Visitors Center Plan, c. 1987

Plan : 1 item with attached text ; re : by Paul Mayen ; donated 1987 ; plan of visitors center taped to text of exhibition pamphlet

Subseries 3: Architectural Drawings

Subseries 3: Architectural Drawings consists of 147 photomechanical reproductions for the House for Mr. & Mrs. E.J. Kaufmann, Bear Run, Pa.


Range: NYDA.1972.001.00001-.00308 House for Mr. & Mrs. E.J. Kaufmann (Bear Run, Pa.). Fallingwater, 1936-1955

146 photomechanical reproductions : 87 drawings, blueprints on paper; 45 drawings, blueprints on paper mounted on canvas; 7 drawings, blueprints on linen; 4 drawings, diazo prints on paper; 2 drawings, blackline prints on paper mounted on canvas; and 1 drawing, positive photostat on paper. Some of the prints have markings in graphite and colored pencil. Scale varies.

Project-level record [Part 1]

Project-level record [Part 2]

Project-level record [Part 3]


Range: NYDA.1972.001.00129-.00191 Fallingwater (Bear Run, Pa.). Guest house, 1938-1954

73 photomechanical reproductions : various media ; 107.1 x 155.1 cm. (42 1/4 x 61 1/8 in.) or smaller.

Project-level record


Range: NYDA.1972.001.00197-.00205 Fallingwater (Bear Run, Pa.). Servants' rooms, 1946-1954

7 photomechanical reproductions : blueprint on paper ; 85.9 x 124.2 cm. (33 7/8 x 48 7/8 in.) or smaller.

Project-level record


Range: NYDA.1972.001.00206-.00234 Fallingwater (Bear Run, Pa.). Swimming pool and boiler room, 1936-1940

21 photomechanical reproductions : various media ; 46 x 81 cm. (18 1/8 x 31 7/8 in.) or smaller.

Project-level record


Range: NYDA.1972.001.00202-.00203 Fallingwater (Pa.). Crypt, 1953

2 sheets : blueprint on drafting linen; 70.7 x 95.6 cm. (27 7/8 x 37 5/8 in.)

Project-level record


Range: NYDA.1972.001.00216-.00254 [Miscellaneous maps and plans of the property], 1920-1953

11 photomechanical reproductions : various media ; 11.7 x 203.5 cm. (44 x 80 1/4 in.) or smaller.

Project-level record


Range: NYDA.1972.001.00256-.00260 Fallingwater (Bear Run, Pa.). Chapel, 1952

5 photomechanical reproductions : blackline prints with colored crayon on paper ; 45.5 x 85.9 cm. (17 7/8 x 33 7/8 in.)

Project-level record


Range: NYDA.1972.001.00261-.00304 Fallingwater (Bear Run, Pa.). Gate house, 1957

42 sheets : diazo prints on paper ; 89.7 x 129.3 cm. (35 3/8 x 51 in.) or smaller.

Project-level record

Subseries 4: Articles & Printed Materials

Subseries 4: Articles & Printed Materials: consists of magazines, newspaper clippings, exhibition catalogs and commercial pamphlets that relate to Fallingwater. Included is a copy of the August 1962 issue of Italian architectural magazine L'archittura, an issue entirely devoted to Fallingwater.


Box 04 Folder 02 Kaufmann's Summer Club Brochure, c.1926

Pamphlet : 1 item


Box 04 Folder 03 Articles & Printed Materials , Clippings and Exhibition materials, 1937-1974

Clippings : 11 items ; Exhibition Materials : 3 items


Box 04 Folder 04 Exhibition catalog and clipping, 1938

Catalog : 1 item ; Clipping : 1 item ; re : includes MoMA catalog: "A New House on Bear Run, Penn. By Frank Lloyd Wright," 1938 ; clipping of ad inLIFEmagazine about Architectural Forum issue dedicated to Frank Lloyd Wright and featuring Fallingwater with handwritten note from Wright to Edgar J. Kaufmann


Box 04 Folder 05 The Bulletin Index , 1938 January 27

Magazine : 2 items ; "Wright: Western Pennsylvania Landmark Complete." (9-11) ; article includes black and white Luke Swank photograph of Fallingwater


Box 04 Folder 06 Town & Country , 1938 February

Magazine : 1 item ; re : Patterson, Augusta Owen. "3 Modern Houses: No. 3 Owner, Edgar J. Kaufman." (64-65)


Box 04 Folder 07 The Charette , 1938 March

Magazine : 1 item ; re : magazine of the Pittsburgh Architectural Club ; leads with article : Anonymous. "Tell Us One About the Bear." (1-3); includes image of Fallingwater –critical of construction, etc.


Box 04 Folder 08 Thrush Forced Circulating Flow Control Hot Water Heat! , undated

Commercial brochures : 2 items ; re : features photograph of Fallingwater on the cover


Box 04 Folder 09 L'architettura , 1962 August

Magazine : 1 item ; re : issue on Fallingwater ; p. 218: Zevi, Bruno. "Riegl's prophecy and Fallingwater." ; p. 222: Kaufmann Jr., Edgar. "Twenty five Years of the House on the Waterfall, Frank Lloyd Wright architect." ; includes images of Fallingwater