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.