Kentuck Knob Nestled High Atop The Laurel Highlands
Frank Lloyd Wright home designs are famous worldwide. Kentuck Knob was built in 1955. You'll find it located high atop the Laurel Highlands of Western Pennsylvania, just 7 miles from the famous Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater.Kentuck Knob is also known as one of the last houses Wright built.
Even though Fallingwater is one of the most famous Frank Lloyd Wright home plans, Kentuck Knob has a charm all its own. Now owned by Lord Peter Palumbo of Great Britain, it was originally built for I.N. and Bernadine Hagan, of Hagan Ice Cream. In 1953 the Hagan's purchased 80 acres in the mountains above Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where their families had lived for many generations. They asked Mr. Wright to design a home plan for them after seeing the beautiful home he designed for their friend the Kaufmann's, called Fallingwater.
At that time Mr. Wright was 86 years old and working on the Guggenheim Museum and 14 other buildings, including a few others in Pennsylvania. Frank Lloyd Wright home design for the Hagan's home sat just below the peak of the 2,050-foot summit of Kentuck Knob. The red tile displayed at the double door entrance is Wright's signature of a Frank Lloyd Wright home design.
The architecture design of Kentuck Knob was designed on a hexagonal grid. Throughout the house there are no right angles in the house, except for the bathroom (the plumber refused to follow Wright's floor plans for open angles). The home design gives the unique illusion of growing out of the hillside. The house is constructed out of fieldstone found throughout the property and tidewater red cypress; the roof is copper.
The Hagan's lived in the house 30 years before selling it to Lord Peter Palumbo of London, England in 1986, Lord Palumbo opened the house to public tours in 1996. Even though Frank Lloyd Wrights "Fallingwater" is much more popular, Kentuck Knob is becoming famous as the most desirable place to live.
When visiting Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallningwater, Kentuck Knob is included in the tour package, along with the Sculptured Meadow.
Fest Your Eyes on The Sculpture Meadow At Frank Lloyd Wright's Kentuck Knob
Below the house you'll find a unique sculptured meadow. Here you'll find 35 sculptures created by artists like, Andy Goldsworthy, Ray Smith, and Sir Anthony Caro. You'll find other sculptures located around the house.
Besides enjoying the many contemporary sculpture displays there is also a beautiful collection of historic artifacts. The pictures above is a piece of the Berlin Wall, The Red Army and Apple Remainder.
To the east of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home Designs, just beyond the back terrace, stretches an unimaginable view of the Youghiogheny River Gorge and the mountains that surround it.
Tour Information for Frank Lloyd Wright's Kentuck Knob and The Beautiful Fallingwater
Tour Information
Allow approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to visit the estate. Reservations recommended.
Hours of Operation:
March 13 - December 31
Open Tuesday through Sunday
Closed Monday Regular Tours:
Regular tours are available Tuesdays through Sundays at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Reservations required. Allow approximately 1 hour to complete this tour, plus an additional half hour to visit the sculpture meadow (optional).
In-Depth Tours:
In-depth tours are available Tuesdays through Sundays at 12:15 pm. Reservations and deposit required. Allow approximately 1.5 hours to complete this tour, plus an additional half hour to visit the sculpture meadow (optional). Rates:
Regular tours are $16 for adults, $10 for children ages 6 to 12.