Fallingwater staff
Max Adzema
Fallingwater Public Programs Manager
Through his office windows in the Gardener’s Cottage at Fallingwater, Max Adzema enjoys a view of a meadow where flowers wave in the breeze, birds sing from a hidden perch in a cherry tree and deer occasionally wander through to drink from nearby Bear Run. “It changes every hour and is quite calming,” he says.
Many would agree that Max deserves a bit of tranquility each day — as the public programs manager for Fallingwater’s education department, he manages a team of 43 people! Besides preparing a complex weekly schedule, he provides support for team members so they can focus on leading quality tours and programs.
“I’m making decisions and setting goals for what quality means,” Max explains, noting that Edgar Kaufmann jr. had many ideas on what a quality tour would look like, and Fallingwater’s educators continue to follow Kaufmann’s lead. “He felt that Fallingwater spoke for itself and we as caretakers can help guide visitors to find their own inspiration. Finding the right balance of information, conversation and quiet is something our team is trying to do now.”
During the pandemic, the team revisited its approach to tours to focus on helping visitors actively interpret and relate to the house, rather than listening passively to a tour guide lecture about the site’s history. “A continuously changing set of procedures needs to be refined, learned from and communicated,” says Max.
Even during Fallingwater’s short closure during each winter, Max is working hard, interviewing and hiring educators to lead tours and other educational programming, and scheduling and leading pre-season training classes. It’s rewarding work. “I love the people I work with, who are all so like-minded and dedicated to our site and organization.”
With his easy smile and kind demeanor, Max is a natural educator. “I love the visitors I meet who are drawn to this special place!” If he’s lucky, he gets to lead a tour here and there!
Max’s curiosity, combined with a love for architecture (he has a Bachelor’s in History of Art and Architecture from the University of Pittsburgh with a Museum Studies minor) and his love for nature (he enjoys camping, hiking and boating) make him right at home at Fallingwater, where he’s worked since 2016.
“I love being among nature that changes every day, and art that reflects that,” he says. Max invites everyone to share that unique experience. “If you have not taken a tour of Fallingwater recently, come visit!”
The following lists some of the ways you can volunteer at the Conservancy. We welcome volunteers to help in our community flower gardens, plant trees or maintain our preserves and trails, among other tasks. View a list of our current or upcoming volunteer opportunities and register for one today.