Kentuck Knob - Chalk Hill, Pennsylvania - Frank Llyod Wright house southeast of Pittsburgh

Also called the Hagan House, Kentuck Knob is a home that was built by Frank Llyod Wright, the famous architect who designed Fallingwater. This home is located southeast of Pittsburgh in the mountains and was originally owned by I.N. Hagen and his wife, and was later sold to Lord Palumbo of London. Today, the home is open for public tours, and continues to be a vacation home for the Palumbo family.

Kentuck Knob was constructed between 1953 and 1956. The Hagens were friends of the Kaufmann family, who owned Fallingwater, and they contacted the then-86 year old Wright to contract him to design a home as well. Wright had a number of other projects also in the works at the time, but insisted on taking the project, which he felt he could design easily and quickly. It became one of the last private homes he built before his death in 1959.

Kentuck Knob is located on Chestnut Ridge in the Allegheny Mountains. It overlooks the Youghiogheny River Gorge and surrounding farmland, and it is about four miles from the famous Fallingwater. At the time, Kentuck Knob cost $96,000 to build, and is constructed mainly of red cypress, glass, and sandstone. Like many Usonian homes, this house blends well with the natural environment. It's half-moon shape curves around a courtyard , with stone planters that make up a retaining wall on the west and thick stone ramparts on the south.

The Hagan family gave Wright full creative control for this project, and he chose a more challenging design and location than the obvious structural point on top of the knob. Visitors will notice that this one-story house has a lot of natural light, which was by design, though Wright only visited the site once during construction.

The Palumbo family opened this house to the public in 1996. Along with the original structure, guests can tour the sculpture meadow, which was added by the family. This is located near the bottom of the mountainous property and features 35 different pieces, including works by Ray Smith, Sit Anthony Caro, Claes Oldenburg, and Andy Goldsworthy. Also included in this whimsical garden are a traditional red English telephone box and a large piece of the Berlin Wall.

To tour the Kentuck Knob home, visitors must have reservations. These reservations are taken by the Fallingwater's Visitor Center and can be made for any day of the year, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The last tour leaves daily at 4:00 PM, and the grounds close at 5:00 PM, so anyone wishing to see the sculpture garden as well should make plans to be at the house by at least 3:00 PM. They also close early during many of the winter months and are shut down for repairs and renovations during the month of February, so it is important to call ahead for information. Regular tours of the facility last about 45 minutes, while in-depth tours last 75 minutes. They also have sunset tours given by senior staff members who show private parts of the home, Sunday brunch tours, which includes a meal in the private art room, and private tours for those who want a more personal experience. Tour rates for regular tours are $16 for adults and $10 for children, with special tours costing between $55 and $150. Children under the age of 6 are not permitted on tours, for the convenience of all guests. For more information, call visitor services at 724-329-8501.