Our People Matter

Volunteer

Barbara Johnstone

Yinz need to go dahn Fallingwater ‘n get to know Barbara Johnstone n’at! A retired professor of Linguistics and Rhetoric at Carnegie Mellon University, Barbara says, “I am the world’s premier (and only, really!) scholarly expert on “Pittsburghese.”

Barbara, who began volunteering at Fallingwater in 2023, loves answering visitors’ questions and sometimes helping to transcribe and translate Edgar jr.’s correspondences with artists.

Where do you live? Summers in Hidden Valley, Winters in Oakmont.

How did you become involved with Fallingwater and what motivates you to stay involved?

I started volunteering at Fallingwater because my summer home in Hidden Valley is nearby, I enjoying getting to know people by working alongside them, and I love Fallingwater and the surrounding area.

I keep doing it because Fallingwater has an excellent volunteer program. There are lots of ways we can help, and we feel like real team members. Staff members greet us by name and thank us for our work, and we are invited to participate in their workshops, book discussions, even parties.

Tell us about your favorite volunteer experience at Fallingwater.

I especially enjoy being an Ask-Me Guide. AMGs are posted (or post ourselves) at various places around the grounds to answer questions, help visitors navigate the site and take people’s pictures.

I also enjoy working in the Collections department, where I am currently transcribing (and sometimes translating) some of Edgar Kaufmann jr.’s correspondence with people such as the painter Victor Hammer.

What has been most challenging or rewarding about volunteering?

Most challenging: being on my feet for hours.

Most rewarding: seeing that visitors really appreciate the tips and information I can give them.

What advice do you have for someone who is considering volunteering?

Fallingwater is a wonderful place to volunteer. It is a privilege to be able to come to this beautiful place and help people have a good experience here.

What do you do when you’re not volunteering with Fallingwater?

Volunteering at the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank and at Second Harvest in Sharpsburg, walking and hiking, traveling, working out at the YMCA, knitting, reading, drawing, serving as Financial Officer for the Fox Chapel Area branch of the American Association of University Women.

What is your career?

I am retired from Carnegie Mellon, where I was professor of Linguistics and Rhetoric.

What might we be surprised to know about you?

I am the world’s premier (and only, really!) scholarly expert on “Pittsburghese.”