Journey to Kentuck Knob

July 29th, 2009

Last week, I visited Frank Lloyd Wright’s House on Kentuck Knob in Chalk Hill. WOW–what a wonderful experience! Here’s some history behind the house:

Kentuck Knob was built from 1953-1956 for Bernardine and I.N. Hagan, producers of Hagan Ice Cream. The Hagans were friends with the Kaufmann family and had the opportunity to spend time at the Kaufmann’s vacation home, Fallingwater. After falling in love with Fallingwater, they called Frank Lloyd Wright and asked if he would design a house for them. Wright was 86 when he designed Kentuck Knob and it was one of his last homes to be completed.

The Hagans lived in the House on Kentuck Knob for 30 years, enjoying the serenity and beauty of the Laurel Highlands. After I.N. Hagan became ill, the couple could no longer remain on the mountain so they sold the home in 1986 to Lord Palumbo of London, England who has continued to maintain the tradition of the I.N. Hagan House. The Palumbos have added some incredible pieces of artwork to the house and the surrounding property, particularly the amazing sculpture gardens.

Kentuck Knob is a fairly small Usonian house (Usonian meaning that it was affordable enough for the common people). Wright designed the home to hug the land and give the appearance that it is integrated into the hilltop. Not only is the house integrated with the landscape, but the furniture is integrated (literally built-in) with the house! The combination of these features gives Kentuck Knob such permanence, like it has always been there. The house truly feels like a home and I could vividly imagine families gathering in the living room and Mrs. Hagan cooking in the kitchen. The sandstone and tidewater red cypress blend so well with the scenic setting that there seem to be no boundary between the interior and exterior of the house.

The sculpture garden on the property of Kentuck Knob was quite impressive. Works from Andy Goldsworthy, Claes Oldenburg, Sir Anthony Caro, Ray Smith as well as many others are displayed in an open meadow with acres of surrounding trees. There is even a piece of the Berlin wall on display!

On the way back from Kentuck Knob, I stopped at the Firefly Grill in Ohiopyle for lunch. They had a terrific menu with tons of wraps, sandwiches and salads. I had the Chicken Pesto wrap and let’s just say there was not a crumb left on my plate! There is even outdoor seating to enjoy the charm of Ohiopyle.

For dessert, I got some coffee from Reilly’s Best Coffee House & Gallery, also in Ohiopyle. Reilly’s is a great place for Organic brews, espresso drinks, and smoothies. Of course there are other delicious goodies, like homemade fudge, to go along with your coffee.

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