Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania and Frank Lloyd Wright

Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania is a haven for outdoor adventure lovers. However, Ohiopyle is also the location of two of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural designs, Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob.

The American Institute of Architects named Frank Lloyd Wright "the greatest American architect of all time". Of more than 1,100 architectural designs, Wright saw 532 completed and more than 400 are still standing. In his more than 70-year career, Frank Lloyd Wright revolutionized art and architecture, wrote more than 20 books, traveled the world as a lecturer and also designed furniture, dinnerware, art glass and fabrics.

Fallingwater, built over a waterfall, is a National Historic Landmark. Built between 1936 and 1939, Fallingwater was commissioned by the Kauffman family of Pittsburg as a summer vacation home. Edgar Kauffman, Jr. was studying with Wright at Taliesin in Madison, Wisconsin.

Wright was well-known for his love of nature and working in conjunction with the natural settings. The Kauffman's had imagined a view of the waterfalls of Bear Run, but were surprised with the initial drawings depicting the new home situated directly above the falls. Wright reportedly told the Kauffman's that he wanted them to make the falls part of their everyday life.

Fallingwater is open to tours daily except for Wednesday from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM during the regular season from March 15 until November 27. Winter hours are shortened. Tour tickets range in price from $18 for the regular tour including all the major rooms of the house and walkways to a special Brunch Tour for $115. There is a Family Tour designed for children ages 5-8 which costs $18 for adults and $12 for children ages 5-12. Indoor photography is not permitted on most tours and there is limited access for wheelchairs.

Kentuck Knob, one of the last homes to be designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, was commissioned by the I. N. Hagan family after they saw Fallingwater. The Hagan's moved into Kentuck Knob on July 29, 1956 and lived there for 30 years.

Featuring a copper roof and built of local sandstone and tidewater red cypress, the one-story hexagonal Kentuck Knob blends with the mountainous landscape. As with Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob features many windows that bring the outdoors inside.

Tours of Kentuck Knob must be arranged through the visitor center at Fallingwater (in person, online or via telephone) and tickets are not interchangeable. Reserved tickets are available for $16 offering a savings from the regular $18 price. Indoor photography is not permitted at Kentuck Knob and no children under the age of 6 are permitted to tour the residence. Wheelchairs are welcome, but some access is limited.

The seven-mile distance between Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob makes it possible to tour both of Wright's creations in one day, but there is no package pricing available. The two properties are managed by separate foundations.

Sources: Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation ; Fallingwater.org ; Kentuck Knob.com