Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian Home
Just below the crest of a hill above Ohiopyle, Ohiopyle State Park, and the Great Allegheny Passage is architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Kentuck Knob, a one-story, 2,300-square foot hexagonal house built from native sandstone and tidewater red cypress. It is representative of Wright’s “usonian,” or affordable, style. Like many of his homes, cantilevered floors and great expanses of glass are used to blend indoor spaces with the surrounding landscape. Over 30 sculptures by Wright’s contemporaries and current artists are placed in the 79-acre landscape around the house and along a footpath to the adjacent visitor center. It’s not rideable from the GAP, but if you’re in Ohiopyle for a day trip, Kentuck Knob is a short drive from the GAP.
Kentuck Knob History
Kentuck Knob was commissioned by the Hagen family in 1953 and upon its completion in 1956, served as their home for 30 years. It was one of Wright’s final projects before his death. The house remains privately owned and occasionally occupied, but tours are available and the beautiful mountainside grounds are walkable. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2000.
Visitor Information
Kentuck Knob is open for daily tours, March through December, with reservations highly recommended. Fall is a beautiful time to enjoy the views.