Fallingwater & Kentuck Knob

Frank Lloyd Wright designed Fallingwater in the 1930s as a weekend home for Pittsburgh department-store owner Edgar J. Kaufmann and his family. Rather than positioning the house where its residents could simply look at the property’s waterfall, Wright dramatically incorporated the home into the landscape above the falls.

The result became one of the most recognizable examples of Wright’s organic architecture. Stone, concrete, terraces, forest and flowing water are brought together so that the house feels closely connected to its setting.

Today, visitors can experience Fallingwater through a variety of tours and programs. Because tours, availability and visitor requirements can vary, reservations should be made in advance whenever possible.

Kentuck Knob offers a different look at Frank Lloyd Wright’s work. Designed for I.N. and Bernardine Hagan in the 1950s, the home is an example of Wright’s Usonian architecture and was created to fit naturally into its wooded hilltop setting.

The house is smaller and more intimate than Fallingwater, with native stone, extensive woodwork and strong connections between its indoor and outdoor spaces. Its location also provides visitors with a sense of the Laurel Highlands landscape that influenced Wright’s design.

A visit can also include the property’s grounds and outdoor sculpture collection. Kentuck Knob and Fallingwater are close enough together that travelers interested in architecture can reasonably plan to experience both during the same Ohiopyle trip.

Visitors do not have to see both homes in the same day. Fallingwater or Kentuck Knob can easily be combined with time in Ohiopyle State Park, while architecture enthusiasts may prefer to reserve tours at both properties and make Frank Lloyd Wright the focus of the day.

Tour schedules, admission options and operating seasons can change, so check each property’s official website before visiting. During busy weekends and peak travel seasons, booking ahead is especially important.