This trip was hosted. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was how the morning light poured through the row of windows, filling every corner of the room. Here I was, actually sleeping inside a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright himself. It was a bucket list experience for this travel writer.
Two other writers and I had an extraordinary stay at one of two Wright homes available for overnight visits. The Duncan House at Polymath Park in Pennsylvania’s picturesque Laurel Highlands exceeded my expectations.
It is perfect for couples, a family with older children or a small group of adults.
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The Usonian Vision
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian homes, developed in the 1930s, embodied his vision of affordable, yet beautiful, housing for middle-class Americans. These single-story homes featured open floor plans, natural materials and extensive use of glass to connect indoor and outdoor spaces, creating structures that harmonized with their natural surroundings and changed American architecture.
The Duncan House exemplifies Wright’s Usonian principles of flowing seamlessly with its natural surroundings. Initially designed in 1957 for Donald and Elizabeth Duncan in Lisle, Illinois, it showcased Wright’s ability to create sophisticated architecture on a more modest scale than his grand estate homes, such as Fallingwater.
The house was moved, piece by piece, from Illinois and reconstructed in Polymath Park in 2007.
SheBuysTravel Fun Fact: The Duncan House was one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s attempts at a pre-fab house. He created the design and had all the parts, from the wood to furniture, shipped to the location and then it was built by local construction workers.
Polymath Park: A Frank Lloyd Wright Sanctuary
Located just 25 minutes from the world-famous Fallingwater, Polymath Park has become a pilgrimage site for architecture enthusiasts. This 130-acre wooded retreat houses four remarkable homes: two authentic Frank Lloyd Wright structures, the Duncan House and Mantyla House, alongside two homes designed by Wright’s apprentice, Peter Berndtson.
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The Wright Houses Available for Overnight Stays:
- Duncan House: Three bedrooms (king, queen, twin beds), accommodates up to four guests
- Mantyla House: Three bedrooms with original furnishings, limited to four guests
Apprentice Houses:
- Balter House: Four bedrooms with a unique cantilevered screened porch
- Blum House: Three bedrooms with extra privacy
SheBuysTravel Tip: Stay at one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s homes, if possible. It is worth the extra dollars to say you have stayed in one of his homes.
Not A Traditional Museum
What makes Polymath Park special is how it brings Wright’s vision to life. You won’t find these homes roped off like typical museum pieces. Instead, you can actually stay overnight in them, which gives you a real sense of how Wright believed buildings should work with the way people live.
My Overnight Stay At Frank Lloyd Wright’s Duncan House
When I stepped inside the Duncan House, it was like entering an architectural time capsule. The home’s strong horizontal lines, beautiful sandstone core and Cherokee Red floors create Wright’s signature aesthetic. But it was the personal moments that made this stay truly unforgettable.
I stayed in the queen bedroom, where a row of windows stretched across the entire top of one wall. At night, the windows provided my own private view of the star-filled sky. I listened to the gentle sounds of nature floating through the screens, and before I knew it, I was drifting off to a peaceful sleep.
Waking up to sunlight shining through Wright’s carefully positioned windows made me feel especially connected to nature and his architectural vision.
The Space:
- Open floor plan
- Windows throughout
- Built-in furniture and storage solutions
- Furnishings that complement Wright’s design
- Wood and stone everywhere
- Two baths
- Three bedrooms
- Radiant floor heating
A common characteristic of Wright’s Usonian homes is the concrete slab floors, which have hot water pipes running through them, providing radiant floor heating. Feel free to leave your shoes at the door; the floors are toasty in cold weather.
Our group of three travel writers spent hours in the living room, chatting until late at night. The thoughtful layout and stunning moonlight views of the surrounding woods were perfect.
Walking through the house the next morning, inspecting every detail from the custom-built furniture to the carefully chosen building materials, I understood how Wright’s vision created a seamless blend of form and function. Everything worked together, the design, materials and furniture combined to create a harmonious living experience.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Arrive before dark, as the area is forested and receives limited light after dark. Be sure to go outside after dark and look at the stars!
Dining Among the Trees at TreeTops Restaurant
The TreeTops Restaurant experience added a magical element to our Frank Lloyd Wright experience. This unique dining destination offers gourmet cuisine in private treehouse-style dining pods that seem inspired by Wright’s organic architecture philosophy.
TreeTops Highlights:
- Private dining pods suspended among the trees
- Gourmet cuisine featuring local ingredients
- Intimate ambiance with candles, flowers, fabric napkins and wine
- Indoor and outdoor dining options
- Exceptional service and a memorable culinary experience
The restaurant, housed in the original home of Polymath Park’s owners, serves as both the check-in point for tours and overnight stays, as well as a destination restaurant worthy of a special trip.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Plan several hours for this over-the-top dining experience. It is an excellent choice for a special occasion, date night or celebration.
Exploring the Frank Lloyd Wright Architectural Corridor
A stay in Polymath Park can serve as a base for exploring additional Frank Lloyd Wright houses in the Laurel Highlands region.
Nearby Sites:
- Fallingwater (32 minutes): Wright’s most famous residential masterpiece.
- Kentuck Knob (42 minutes): A Wright home highlighting his hexagonal design principles.
Additional Polymath Park Features:
- Guided tours of Duncan House, Mantyla and the two apprentice homes.
- Beautiful hiking trails through the 130-acre property.
The concentration of Wright-designed homes in this region is a rare opportunity to view and understand his architectural evolution and lasting influence on American design.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Plan a full day of touring to see all four of the Frank Lloyd Wright homes.
What to Pack for Your Frank Lloyd Wright Stay
- Food (microwave cooking available)
- Beverages (Water station and coffee machine provided.)
- Camera for photography
- Comfortable walking shoes for exploring
- Layers for changing weather conditions
SheBuysTravel Tip: Pack a book or game to play. (Wifi/cell service is spotty, and there is no TV.)
Getting There/When to Go
Polymath Park is approximately 55 minutes (46.1 miles) from Pittsburgh, PA. You will need to drive to get to the location and to your rental. Note: The route includes a toll road. (PA Turnpike)
Address: 87 Evergreen Lane, Acme, PA 15610
Spring through fall are the best times to visit. Rentals are not available January through early March due to probable inclement weather. Check their website for availability.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Visit in the early fall when the foliage is changing colors for the most beautiful views.
Booking Your Wright Experience
Reserve your stay through the Polymath Park website.
- Rates: $675 per night for Duncan House. $825 per night for Mantyla House.
- Check-in: 5:00 PM at TreeTops Restaurant
- Check-out: 10:00 AM
- Bath Towels and sheets provided
- Reservations required
SheBuysTravel Tip: Due to the unique nature of the experience, book at least several months in advance.
Know Before You Go
- No children under 13
- No pets allowed
- No smoking within 50 feet of buildings
- Respectful treatment of historical furnishings
- You will travel on gravel driveways to arrive at your destination. (Your car will get dirty!)
- These houses are ideal for small families with older children, couples and small adult groups. The cost of each house remains the same regardless of whether one person or multiple people are staying there.
SheBuysTravel Tip: I do NOT recommend staying in the houses for an average solo female traveler. While it is guaranteed to provide a peaceful and immersive experience, I don’t think it is ideal for most people traveling alone. Each house is situated in a secluded, wooded area. It is very dark. While you need a code to enter by car, someone already on the grounds or on foot could still access the house. There is very spotty cell service in the area and limited wifi. I felt very safe while staying there with two other people, but I’m not sure I would want to stay there alone. It could be a true “off-the-grid” experience.
Accessibility Notes
The Duncan House, like many historic homes, is not fully ADA accessible. Visitors should expect uneven paths and steps once inside the home. The house itself has a single-story layout, but narrow doorways and a few steps could create problems for people with limited mobility.
Tour Schedule
- Daily guided tours occur from Thursday through Tuesday.
- Tours operate at various times, depending on the specific tour.
- Wright Collection Tour Cost – $34/adult and $16/youth (9-12).
- Complete Collections Tour Cost – $47 per person.
- Other tours that include meals are also available.
- Children under 9 years old (including infants) & toddlers are not permitted on most tours.
For dining reservations at TreeTops, visit TreeTops Restaurant.
A Bucket List Item Realized
My night in the Duncan House checked off a bucket list item of experiencing Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture as a living space. The way morning light danced through strategically placed windows, how rooms flowed and the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces revealed layers of Wright’s genius that photographs simply cannot capture.
This experience transcends typical accommodations. Spending a night in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Duncan House provides a rare opportunity to step inside history and understand why Wright’s influence on American architecture remains unmatched.
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