The Usonian Cottage at Lynn Hall

Nationally Registered Usonian Cottage by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater Builder

The very definition of Organic Modernism, with its harmonious connection to its Allegheny Mountain location, this mid-century modern cottage was designed and built by father and son duo Walter J. Hall and Ray Viner Hall, whose work would capture the attention of Frank Lloyd Wright. A prime example of Usonian Architecture, it would ultimately come to define Allegheny Modernism.

Constructed of stone quarried on site, the 1200 square foot cottage clings to the hillside with a ship's prow window that cantilevers off the living room. Both the interior and exterior are clad with oversized redwood shiplap siding — punctuated by Walter’s signature mosaic stone work.

Within, the interior ceilings compress and rise as you move from the intimate spaces to the common areas. Transverse lines define the organic living spaces. The kitchen retains the original and fully restored cabinetry. A central living area with a unique central fireplace features dramatic views of the valley and mountains beyond.

Standout interior features that define the movement include mahogany wall and ceiling panels, stone floors, the built-in coffee station/bar, and geometric fireplaces. The cottage has two queen-sized bedrooms, a modernized bath with a walk-in shower, and three primary terraces--an outdoor dining area with a wood burning fireplace fire and gas grill, a fountain courtyard terrace, and a front garden terrace.

Adding to the design aesthetic, the property’s owners have enhanced interiors with original art, high end furnishings, and unique accessories. Curated touches such as scented, pressed linen bed sheets, antibacterial spa towels, and award-winning details such as the selected silverware and sound system.

Around

Located in the Allegheny Mountains near Cherry Springs State Park and the Allegheny National Forest, the property makes a great destination for architectural tourism and outdoor adventuring. The region is home to over 500 trails for hiking and biking, plus rivers and lakes for canoeing and kayaking.

Nearby Cherry Springs State Park (a 35-minute drive) has Gold Level International Dark Sky designation, the highest ranking given, and the park offers guided stargazing tours and an “Astronomy Field” with unobstructed 360-degree views surrounded by dense Susquehannock State Forest. The Allegheny National Forest displays a kaleidoscope of fall foliage each autumn, and it's home to hiking and biking trails as well as waterways. Another 30-minute drive leads to Kinzua Bridge State Park, a huge steel sky bridge and museum that’s not for the faint of heights. A soaring example of the three Es—"Engineering, Energy and the Environment,” the museum also offers a PA Wilds Coop shop selling the handcrafted works of regional artisans.

Rock City Park, another half hour away, is a majestic geological rock formation derived from a prehistoric ocean floor that’s the world’s largest quartz conglomerate. More refined sculptures can be found about an hour and a half away at Griffis Sculpture Park, one of the US’s largest sculpture gardens, with over 250 sculptures set along miles of hiking trails near the community of Ellicottville, a charming slice of small-town Americana lined with cute shops, family-run restaurants, microbreweries and bars. There’s a Salt Cave Hydrotherapy Spa there for a complete day trip of sightseeing and self care.

Wildlife enthusiasts should check out the “Elk Capital of Pennsylvania” in Benezette, where some 1,400 elk roam, visible at a viewing station on Winslow Hill that’s best visited mornings or evenings. The small town also offers cafes, gift shops, and wine and cider tasting rooms. Architecture buffs should make a day trip to Buffalo, NY (60 miles), home to a significant number of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural sites including Martin House and Graycliffe. And be sure to schedule a guided visit of neighboring Lynn Hall and explore the hometown Port Allegany Serenity Glass Park, a testament to the area’s architectural importance in the glass manufacturing and lumber industries. Then strike out along PA Route 6, named “one of America’s most scenic drives” by National Geographic for a deep dive into nature.

Location

Nearest airports: Bradford (20 miles); Buffalo (90 miles)

Best time to visit

Spring through fall