Justin Gunther: Director, Fallingwater & VP of Western PA Conservancy
Mill Run, PA – Architectural historian and historic preservation expert Justin W. Gunther has been selected as the new Director of Fallingwater and Vice President of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. After previously serving as Fallingwater’s Curator of Buildings and Collections from 2007 to 2011, Gunther is returning to Pennsylvania with nearly 20 years of experience deeply rooted in historic preservation.
Most recently, Gunther served as Architectural Historian at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, VA., where he acted as curator of the architectural, historical, archeological and landscape features of Virginia’s Capitol Square, and revamped the visitor experience. Gunther has also served as Professor and Program Administrator at Savannah College of Art and Design, and as Manager of Restoration at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
In his new role, Gunther will provide sustaining leadership to Fallingwater, both in its preservation and varying programs, including supporting the visitor experience, educational programming and community partnerships. He will also lead Fallingwater’s presence on the international stage, which includes the house’s nomination in the U.S. submission to the UN World Heritage List of significant cultural landmarks.
Gunther will assume his responsibilities on April 16, 2018.
Fallingwater is a house designed in 1935 by renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The house was a private residence and weekend home for the family of Pittsburgh department store owner Edgar J. Kaufmann, Sr. Fallingwater is one of Wright’s most widely acclaimed works and best exemplifies his philosophy of organic architecture: the harmonious union of art and nature. Open to the public since 1964, more than five million visitors have toured and experienced Fallingwater.
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 1/4 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 the 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.
