Kentuck Knob- Chalk Hill, PA
In the far southwest corner of Pennsylvania, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater gets most of the architectural attention. And that is absolutely deserved, because it is a masterpiece. However, just down the road is a much more subdued example of his architecture, which is every bit as grand in its own way. It is a humble Usonian, with no waterfall, but nevertheless is a house which perfectly displays Wright’s architectural ideals. No pilgrimage to this area is complete without as stop at Kentuck Knob.
Completed in 1956 by a then 86 year old Frank Lloyd Wright, it was one of his last projects. The house was built for Bernadine and Issac Newton Hagan, proprietors of a successful local dairy company, and friends of the Kaufmann’s, owners of Fallingwater. While Fallingwater was meant to be a weekend retreat, the Hagan’s sought a more utilitarian home in the woods. After purchasing 80 acres of mountain land in 1953, the Hagan’s contacted Wright to build them a deluxe Usonian. Despite his busy schedule at the time, including the Guggenheim and 12 other residential homes, he agreed.
Although the Hagan’s had wanted the home to be built atop a bluff with commanding views, Wright refused; he felt that built structures should blend into the natural world, not dominate it. Rather, he chose a hillside location, where the house would blend into its surroundings, and the Hagan’s acquiesced.
The crescent shaped home, designed with a hexagonal stone core, was built of native sandstone, red cypress and glass, capped with a low hipped copper roof. The home cost the Hagan’s $96,000, which was fairly expensive for a Usonian. They even paid an additional $1000 for a Cherokee Red vanity tile, with Wright’s signature, which is set in stone by the front door. That seems like something that could be included gratis, but apparently not. Of course, if you going to commission Frank Lloyd Write to build a house, you are going to want that tile.
Inside, the hexagonal kitchen with its soaring ceiling is absolutely magnificent. In the living room, a pass through planter in the wall brings the outside in. In typical Wright fashion, wood cutouts along the ceiling allow patterned light to pass into the space. In dining room, original furniture remains; of course it does, it was designed for the house. All I can recall of the bedroom, however, is that the current owner, Lord Palumbo, has friends in high places, both here in Britain. Dozens of framed photos of the owner have him in the company of some very powerful people. Of course, he is a Lord, so that is to be expected.
While the Hagan’s enjoyed their house for over 30 years, they are long gone; the property was purchased for $600,000 in 1986 by the current owner, Lord Palumbo, for use as a vacation home. As it is a private home, no pictures are allowed inside, but at times when the Lord is not in residence, the home is open for tours. A good income generator no doubt, and allows the public to appreciate a treasure that might otherwise be locked away, hidden from the hoi-polloi.
The rear of the house is no less stunning than the front, and really showcases Wright’s knack for blending built structures into the surrounding environment. Walking around the house, there is absolutely no angle that is off, or any vantage from which the house dominates the landscape. Absolute Perfection.
While around back, make sure to walk to out to the Hagan’s preferred building site. You can absolutely see the appeal, as the view is magnificent, but it absolutely would have dominated the landscape. Good call Mr. Wright. The bluff is better appreciated on a bench, than behind a window.
Skip the tour bus, and walk back to the visitor’s center. There is a lovely trail through the woods, and Palumbo has created an outdoor sculpture garden along the way. Before leaving, make sure to sample some ice cream from the Hagan’s dairy. It is every bit as delicious as it was in their day.
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