Glessner House Museum To Offer Special Behind-The-Scenes Architecture Tours

As part of the Chicago Architecture Biennial, Glessner House Museum, located at 1800 S. Prairie Avenue in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood, will offer a special two-hour tour focusing on architect Henry Hobson Richardson and his design of the house. The tour will take place on Saturday October 3 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are $25 and pre-paid reservations are required to 312-326-1480.

These exclusive tours, offered for the first time, will explore the significant architectural design of the house. Controversial at the time of its completion in 1887, it foreshadowed the development of modern residential architecture, impacting architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. Attendees will see portions of the building not included on regular public tours as well as objects rarely shown, including sketches and drawings by Richardson.

The tour will repeat on Saturdays November 21 and December 19.

Interior of the Glessner House parlor

Lecture On Chicago School Of Architecture

Glessner House Museum, located at 1800 S. Prairie Avenue in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood, will host a lecture entitled “The Chicago School of Architecture: Building the Modern City, 1880-1910” on Tuesday November 19, 2013 at 7:00pm.

The birth of the skyscraper in Chicago in the mid-1880s introduced a new direction for city architecture: upwards. But how and why was it that Chicago set the standard for high-rise buildings, not only across the U.S. but all over the world?  This lecture by noted architectural historian Rolf Achilles will address those questions and much more. Copies of Achilles’ new book (of the same title as the lecture) will be available for purchase and signing.

Glessner House Museum is a National Historic Landmark and the last surviving work by architect Henry Hobson Richardson in Chicago. Completed in 1887, the museum is recognized nationwide for its groundbreaking architecture as well as its important collection of arts and crafts decorative arts.

Admission is $10 per person. Reservations may be made by calling 312-326-1480. The museum is easily accessible by taking the #3 or #4 bus on Michigan Avenue to 18th Street, and then walking 2 blocks east.

Museum Celebrates 125th Anniversary

18 Months of Celebration
On Wednesday, June 1, 2011, the Glessner House Museum will kick off an 18-month celebration commemorating the 125th anniversary of the building of the Glessner House. The home was built for John and Frances Glessner and their family. The original groundbreaking took place on June 1, 1886.

A picture of the Glessner House taken in the nineteenth century

125th Anniversary Fund
Scheduled events include a recreation of the original groundbreaking ceremony, as well as the launch of the 125th Anniversary Fund. The museum hopes to raise $125,000 during the anniversary celebration to complete various restorations and repair projects throughout the Glessner House.

Chicago's Original Gold Coast
The Glessner House is one of the most historic and architecturally significant homes in Chicago. The house, located at 1800 S. Prairie Ave., was situated in an area often identified as Chicago’s original gold coast. Among it’s famous residents were retail giant Marshall Field (1905 S. Prairie), meat-packer, Philip Armour (2115 S. Prairie), and train car manufacturer, George Pullman (1729 S. Prairie).

Glessner House architect, Henry Hobson Richardson's portrait hangs in the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.

America's First Great Architect
The Glessner House's architect, Henry Hobson Richardson was America’s first great architect. Based in Brookline, MA, Richardson served as an influence to future architectural legends, Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Nineteenth-Century Time Capsule
The Glessner House Museum is a time capsule representing life in late nineteenth-century Chicago. A life that included lavish parties and celebrated guests, both famous and infamous.

The June 1 kick off event starts at 6 p.m. The cost of the event is $15 per person, $10 for museum members.

The male servants entrance on 18th St.

For more information on other 125th Anniversary events, please visit the museum Web site and/or Facebook page.

Top-40 Buildings in Chicago: The South Loop has Two!

The current issue of Chicago Magazine lists the top-40 buildings in Chicago. Included in the list are the Henry B. Clarke House (34) and the John J. Glessner House (19).

The Henry B. Clarke House

 The Clarke House, the oldest house in Chicago is located at 1827 S. Indiana Ave. in the Chicago Women's Park and Gardens. It's original location (the house was moved twice before) was closer to 16th and S. Michigan Ave. The Glessner House, located at 1800 S. Prairie Ave. is a reminder that the South Loop was Chicago's original gold coast. The three richest men in Chicago all lived on S. Prairie Ave. They are in order of wealth: Marshall Field, Philip Armour, and George Pullman. John J. Glessner, far from the richest man on the block, was an executive with a farm equipment manufacturing firm. His firm merged with several others to create International Harvester.

The John J. Glessner House at 1800 S. Prairie Ave.

The Glessner House was designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson. Richardson whose offices were located in Brookline, MA, is considered one of the first great American architects. His unique American style  influenced later architects Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Clarke and Glessner houses are both museums open all year-round for tours.