On my visit back to the old southwestern Pennsylvania homestead, we visited Kentuck Knob, a beautiful home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1953-1956. The home blends into the natural environment and is a peaceful respite on a hot summer day. It is simple in design and blends into the contours of the land. It is build in a crescent shape with hexagonal corners and no 90 degree angles, it has limited space for clutter or storage. It allows one to focus on the woods which now surrounds the home and the property overlooks the Youghiogheny River gorge.
Kentuck Knob is not far from the magnificent Fallingwater, perhaps one of his most famous homes, that yes, includes a waterfall in the design. Fallingwater is maintained by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, an organization that has managed to save many wilderness areas, wildlife and plants in the area. I have been a member of this organization for many, many years.
Back view of the home. The bedrooms face this side and there is a small waterfall and pond on the right under the window of the master bedroom..
The front side of the house.
A welcoming front entrance.
This detailed pattern is carried around the house. It is open here, screens are in place in the living areas so these "windows" can be open.
This side of the house looks over some gardens and the woods. Look at the skylight design.
There is a Buddha in the living room. No pictures were allowed inside the home, so this is taken from the deck.
There is also a sculpture garden.
Birdhouses at the main visitor center.
This is the Pennsylvania of my youth! Beautiful rolling hills, our Blueridge Mountains, farm lands, and forests comprise most of the scenery of this part of the state. This is the view taken from the path at the back of Kentuck Knob.
The journey took us along back roads where we came upon this old Whig Church, built in 1901 and still in use.
An old cemetery is behind the church with graves from the early 1800's as well as contemporary times.
Here lies one true Pittsburgh Steeler fan. Yes, football in this part of the country is in our blood, our water and our DNA. Now also on a headstone!
Gone a long time ago, but not forgotten.
This soldier fought in the French and Indian War. Fort Necessity is also just down the road from here. There also is a lot of history in these hills!
This was a nice journey back to my roots in Southwestern Pennsylvania. A lot of natural beauty, history important to the early days of America, many rolling hills and flowing rivers and waterfalls, and excellent utilization of this beauty in the special architecture of some very special homes. It was a lovely return to a very special place.
Kentuck Knob is not far from the magnificent Fallingwater, perhaps one of his most famous homes, that yes, includes a waterfall in the design. Fallingwater is maintained by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, an organization that has managed to save many wilderness areas, wildlife and plants in the area. I have been a member of this organization for many, many years.
Back view of the home. The bedrooms face this side and there is a small waterfall and pond on the right under the window of the master bedroom..
The front side of the house.
A welcoming front entrance.
This detailed pattern is carried around the house. It is open here, screens are in place in the living areas so these "windows" can be open.
This side of the house looks over some gardens and the woods. Look at the skylight design.
There is a Buddha in the living room. No pictures were allowed inside the home, so this is taken from the deck.
There is also a sculpture garden.
Birdhouses at the main visitor center.
This is the Pennsylvania of my youth! Beautiful rolling hills, our Blueridge Mountains, farm lands, and forests comprise most of the scenery of this part of the state. This is the view taken from the path at the back of Kentuck Knob.
The journey took us along back roads where we came upon this old Whig Church, built in 1901 and still in use.
Looks much like it did on 1901.
An old cemetery is behind the church with graves from the early 1800's as well as contemporary times.
Here lies one true Pittsburgh Steeler fan. Yes, football in this part of the country is in our blood, our water and our DNA. Now also on a headstone!
Gone a long time ago, but not forgotten.
This soldier fought in the French and Indian War. Fort Necessity is also just down the road from here. There also is a lot of history in these hills!
This was a nice journey back to my roots in Southwestern Pennsylvania. A lot of natural beauty, history important to the early days of America, many rolling hills and flowing rivers and waterfalls, and excellent utilization of this beauty in the special architecture of some very special homes. It was a lovely return to a very special place.
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