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OK, three new Glessner House questions (15, 16 and 17) and answers from Ask Henry to test your memory and/or teach you about something new. They deal with something unique about Chicago and Buffalo, NY; the oldest surviving house on Prairie Avenue; and an ouroboros! a what? See all here: https://www.glessnerhouse.org/ask-henry
Glessner House is offering a Micro Wedding package for fewer than 50 guests. $1500 for a two hour venue rental, then if you return for a larger party (reception? anniversary?), that $1500 will be deducted from the full cost. Go to the Events>Wedding section at www.glessnerhouse.org to fill out an inquiry form!
Have you found our Glessner House Events page? Stop on over and say hello...give us a like while you're visiting.
https://www.facebook.com/GlessnerHouseEvents/
Ready to go micro? We turned to the pros for the wedding planning tips you’ll need to throw a fabulous small-scale celebration.
As cultural organizations serving the people of Chicago, we stand in unified opposition to racism and injustice. We must each wrestle with the persistent stain of systemic inequality and its devastating impacts on our staff, members, guests and neighbors.
What a history the Glessner parlor has had and you can read all about it here!! From it's beginning to its not-too-long-ago spectacular restoration......
https://www.glessnerhouse.org/story-of-a-house
Everything you've ever wanted to know about the dumbwaiter in the master bedroom. What? Where? How does it work? Does it work? What's it for? A short, but fascinating video!!!!
In this final installment of Secrets of Glessner House, we take a look at the dumbwaiter in the master bedroom that provided easy transport for the coal and ...
Really interesting website to browse through! It has a lot of things that will delight and interest anyone interested in historic preservation and historic houses! The Merchant's House in New York City was the City's first landmark. Built in 1832, it is totally intact!! Lots of virtual tours and other sorts of compelling information on here!! Take a look....
Closed until Further Notice In response to heightened concerns relating to the spread of COVID-19 and as a matter of care for our visitors, volunteers, and staff, the Merchant’s House Museum is closed until further notice. For “At Home” Exhibitions, Tours, Talks, Videos, and Programs, All O...
Perfect "Ask Henry" for this weekend! Question #14: What 19th century area resident founded Memorial Day??? See the answer here: https://www.glessnerhouse.org/ask-henry
The courtyard is now open seven days a week from 9:00am to 5:00pm!!!! Drop by and look in the windows or just relax and enjoy a peaceful place... BUT, it WILL be closed on Memorial Day. Have a GREAT holiday weekend.... And stay safe!
How about owning your very own early H. H. Richardson designed house in Buffalo, NY? Or a nearby church--designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style? Well, you can! This article talks about two incredible properties that can be yours!! YOURS!!
Two historic Delaware Avenue properties are for sale. Hunt Commercial is listing The William Dorsheimer House at 434 Delaware for sale at $1.29 million and the Delaware Avenue Baptist Church at 965 Delaware for $599,000. The William Dorsheimer House has 9,536 sq.ft. of space and 24 on-site pa
Wonderful recipes for historic finger sandwiches from Mattie! The Glessners' cook for many years--and right from her cookbook.... https://www.glessnerhouse.org/cooking-with-mattie
"Ask Henry" is back with Questions 12 and 13. Dealing with two good topics: the front door grille and the grooves in the driveway. What the story?Click here:
https://www.glessnerhouse.org/ask-henry
GREAT books available related to Glessner House that are great reads during our stays at home! Delivered right to your mailbox! Click here to peruse our little bookstore!
Today, May 18, 2020, is International Museum Day! #IMD2020
Thanks to all who ordered masks!! Especially repeat customers! Our supply is dwindling, unless we decide to cut up the drapes--which we have NO intention of doing!! So don't delay! A true story received this week from a new mother and the perfect follow up to Mother's Day:
"Since I have appreciated William Morris patterns for years, I donated to the Glessner House to get a face mask after seeing one of your posts. One day we will have to make a trip there to see the house in person. The mask made the trip to hospital and I wore it through most of my labor until the doctors gave me the OK to take it off to breathe better."
For a donation of $25 or more to Glessner House, you will receive your own Morris face mask, a useful accessory whether or not you are soon planning a trip to the delivery room! To make your donation and receive your face mask (we will select the pattern for you), simply click here: https://www.glessnerhouse.org/covid-19-relief-fund
Your mask will ship within 24 hours of the receipt of your donation.
Lovely and very interesting read that includes everything you would ever want to know about the life and history of the Glessners' Main Hall! From the 1800s to the 2000s!
Main hall, 2018 (Photo by James Caulfield) During Preservation Month 2020, we are exploring four of the main rooms at Glessner House, ...
It's GREAT to be a member of Glessner House! And right now, we have a special going to get you to join us and enjoy all we are and all we do!!
Special offer: Due to the extended house closure, anyone joining or renewing their membership will automatically receive 15 months of benefits for the price of 12. Join or renew today!
The Partners desk in the Glessner library is quite a piece of furniture!! And quite "secretive," too!!! Learn all about it in this short interesting video!
The partners desk is one of the largest pieces of furniture in the house but it hides a tiny secret within. Learn more and see the secret revealed in this fi...
Online Store — Glessner House
Welcome to the Glessner House online store! Here you will find a selection of exclusive books written and edited by Glessner House staff exploring the architecture, decorative arts, family and neighborhood.
In Mr. Glessner's closet there is a little secret! Hear all about it here. And see what it's all about....
The closet in John Glessner's dressing room has a trap door in the floor. Why? In this segment of "Secrets of Glessner House" see what lies beneath the trap ...
Here's another good one for you quiz lovers: Question #10 on Ask Henry! What was the name of the Glessners' pooch? Interesting answer right here! And btw, question was selected for today because today is the 143rd anniversary of the first Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held in New York on May 8, 1877.
During our period of extended closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, our genial house architect, Henry Hobson Richardson, has agreed to stand in the master bedroom window, greeting people as they walk past. He will also be posing questions twice a week, to help you broaden your knowledge of Glessner....
Wow!!! A whole wonderful history of the Glessner House dining room!! With a LOT of great pix! In honor of Preservation Month... So much interesting info here!!!
Dining room, 2010 (Photo by James Caulfield) During Preservation Month 2020, we will explore four rooms within Glessner House, exami...
The beautiful Glessner House courtyard is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Come and explore this space and step up on our porches to take a peek inside our schoolroom, main hall, parlor, and kitchen!!!!! Share your photos and comments using #GlessnerHouse and #ThisPlaceMatters. You might also want to take a selfie with a life-size cutout of Mayor Lori Lightfoot--who insisted on being in the courtyard to make sure people are observing proper social distancing!!!! 😁🙂😉
Today is #GivingTuesdayNow. A global day of giving as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.
At Glessner House, we have been energized by the ground swell of support from our long-time members, docents, volunteers and donors and even people new to us. So, we want to show our appreciation and repurpose this day as Giving THANKS Tuesday.
The new coronavirus has impacted the whole world. But we look forward to the time when we can spend time together again. As we’ve heard many times over the past weeks, ”we are all in this together.”
#GivingTuesdayNow is an opportunity for people around the world to stand together in unity – to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and to heal.
Our thanks to all of you who have rallied to the aid of Glessner House. We truly appreciate your dedication and support of this magnificent house. We look forward to the time when we can welcome you back through our doors once again!
Many thanks from the Board and Staff of Glessner House!
https://www.glessnerhouse.org/covid-19-relief-fund
https://www.glessnerhouse.org/ask-henry
Four new questions on Ask Henry since last we posted some. Take a look at them below. See if you know the answers on subjects such as materials used in building the house, why is the north side of the house is the way it is--and carvings? What??? Glessner House has carvings?
During our period of extended closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, our genial house architect, Henry Hobson Richardson, has agreed to stand in the master bedroom window, greeting people as they walk past. He will also be posing questions twice a week, to help you broaden your knowledge of Glessner....
Don't forget!! They are mandatory now!!! So have a beautiful William Morris design on YOURS!!! And help Glessner House at the same time!!! Get yours now!! All the details are below....
During the ongoing pandemic, we are being encouraged to wear face masks when we need to go out in public. Many choose a simple plain mask, but there are creative ways to make the mask show off your personality. William Morris, whose designs can be found throughout Glessner House, famously said: "Have nothing in your house which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." Were Morris around today, no doubt he would have revised that statement to read: "Have nothing on your face which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."
We are pleased to introduce our exclusive line of Morris face masks. For a donation of $25 or more to Glessner House, you will receive your own Morris & Co. face mask to proudly wear in public. And, if by chance, someone should ask you about your stylish accessory, it is the perfect opportunity to tell them what you are wearing (but please stand at least six feet away while extolling the virtues of Glessner House). To make your donation and receive your face mask (we will select the pattern for you), simply click here: https://www.glessnerhouse.org/covid-19-relief-fund
Special thanks to our faithful Glessner House member Deneen Marie Bryce for crafting these wonderful masks and to all of you who have already ordered your mask and helped support Glessner House!
This should be very entertaining and educational for all of the architecture lovers out there!!
Can't make it in person to Pope-Leighey House in Virginia? Enjoy Wright's Usonian vision through this virtual tour.
You've heard all about Mattie Williamson, the Glessners cook, in other posts here--and some of you even "met" her at house events, heard her stories, and even eaten food she's cooked!! While you are home, with some time on your hands, here are some of Mattie's recipes and some interesting info, too!
https://www.glessnerhouse.org/cooking-with-mattie
Today, Glessner House was pleased to show its support for our courageous first responders by providing lunch to all 250 officers at the 1st District Police Station, located a little west at of us at State and 18th. As part of this activity, we also supported one of our neighborhood’s best restaurants, The Weather Mark Tavern, which provided the food and beverages. It is during times such as this when communities really come together to support each other, and we are glad to play our part. The event was in honor of Frances Glessner Lee, the first female state police captain in the U.S., and also an honorary captain in the Chicago Police Department!!
Guess what? Although the House is closed until May 31, our Courtyard IS open for neighbors and other passersby to step in and enjoy the beauty! Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM!!! Please observe social distancing and wear face masks!! Perhaps one purchased from Glessner House??? They come in William Morris patterns! And they are perfect in every way!! And for a good cause: the functioning and the maintenance of our beautiful and very historic house! Here's the link: https://www.glessnerhouse.org/covid-19-relief-fund
This is National Volunteer Week and for the first time in 49 years, our wonderful Glessner House docents are not on site at Glessner House sharing their passion and enthusiasm with our visitors. We miss our docents and, as they shelter-at-home, we send this shout out to them thanking them for their dedication and service. We look forward to the time when they can return to us! As a fun flashback, we present the docent graduating class of 1976, standing in our (pre-restoration) courtyard.
We are pleased to let you know that the National Trust for Historic Preservation has included our Glessner House virtual tour in its updated list of sites from across the country to visit remotely. Check out the list here! And make sure to take our virtual tour! We're #3 on the list!!
In case you're looking for more ways to explore the past virtually, hear are 12 of our Distinctive Destinations and Historic Artists' Homes and Studios right at your fingertips.
How about a little music, Glessner House fans? Provided by the singing bowl, housed right in the house????? Here it is!! #museummomentofzen #museumfromhome
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdqTxP37fhY
The singing bowl, actually a Japanese temple gong, always occupied a place of honor in the main hall of Glessner House, as it does to this day. Hear William ...
#WaybackWeddingWednesday Alena and Val's ceremony in the Women's Park was followed by a lovely reception at Glessner House! (Photographer was Angela Renee) #Outdoorweddingvenue #Historicweddingvenue
Ever wonder what the annunciator in the Glessner House kitchen does? Well, wonder no more! All explained in this VERY short video....
Glessner House operated with a live-in staff of eight. The annunciator, located on the east wall of the kitchen, was an effective way for the family to remai...
Ask Henry #4 and #5!! What'd the neighbors think of the Glessners' house back in the day?? The Glessner House was almost demolished?? What????? Henry will give you the answers here: https://www.glessnerhouse.org/ask-henry
During our period of extended closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, our genial house architect, Henry Hobson Richardson, has agreed to stand in the master bedroom window, greeting people as they walk past. He will also be posing questions twice a week, to help you broaden your knowledge of Glessner....
1800 S Prairie Ave
Chicago, IL
60616
The number 3 and 4 buses stop at Michigan and 18th Streets. Walk two blocks east and the entrance to the museum is at 18th St. and Prairie Avenue. The Metra Electric line has a flag stop at 18th Street as well. The McCormick Place stop is a 5 to 7 minute walk. The closest El stop is at Roosevelt. The Red, Green and Orange lines stop there. Non-permit parking is limited to 18th Street, Indiana Avenue, and Michigan Avenue.
Our mission is to spark excitement in architecture, history, and design through a dynamic exploration of Glessner House, its family, and its preservation. The Museum is open to visitors by guided tour only Wednesdays - Sundays at 11:30, 1:00, and 2:30pm. Tours last about 60-75 minutes and start at the Glessner House Visitors Center (opens at 11:00am, enter via Prairie Avenue). Admission is $15 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students, and children. Wednesdays are free. Our page is a positive space. We maintain a negativity policy. Aggressive, insulting, profane, hostile, or overly negative comments will be deleted. Users who post them will be blocked or banned.
| Wednesday | 11:00 - 16:00 |
| Thursday | 11:00 - 16:00 |
| Friday | 11:00 - 16:00 |
| Saturday | 11:00 - 16:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00 - 16:00 |
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Curator Bill Tyre is “the Professor”, as pianists in shady places of entertainment were sometimes called.
A clip of Elizabeth Doyle and Jim Cox, Jazz Avec Deux, at Glessner House:
A preview of the items in the silent auction at the afterparty of today’s Walk Through a Time.
A preview of the lovely items in the silent auction at the afterparty of today’s Walk Through Time.
More from the #GlessnerHouse #GleamTeam! #Docent Allan Vagner and volunteer Steve Scott are hard at work in the pantry. #museummonday #smallmuseumlife #historichousemuseum #glessnerhousemuseum
Docent Council Chair, Karen Oliver, introduces you to the #GlessnerHouse #GleamTeam. Also featuring #docents Marilyn Scott and Kay Young. #museummonday #smallmuseumlife #historichousemuseum
AND we're off! Inside the coach house for the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance Toast of the South Loop. The ladies of The Spoke & Bird are servin' up some tasty viddles. #prairedistrict #southloop #pdnatoast
They're lining up! Minutes away from the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance Toast of the South Loop 2016 at Glessner House Museum. #pdnatoast #pdna #prairedistrict
We have the BEST volunteers! Members of the #GlessnerHouseMuseum "Gleam Team", Steve Scott and Allan Vagner, are vacuuming our reproduction Peacock and Dragon portieres this morning. Thank you, guys! #MuseumMonday
As if no time has passed...Bob Irving, Class of 1971, shows fellow "Ancient Docents" around the house. #GlessnerHouseMuseum #GHM50
Today we host the "Ancient Docents" luncheon. Welcome and Happy 50th Anniversary to the first three Chicago School of Architecture Foundation docent classes of 1971, 1972, and 1973. #GHM50 #GlessnerHouseMuseum
Psst...get a sneak peek at the new carpet runners that were installed today! #GlessnerHouseMuseum #historichousemuseum #smallmuseumlife #GHM50
Our iconic architecture is world-famous. Discover why at GlessnerHouse.org. #architectureMW #MuseumWeek
Psst...We have a secret...and it's in the library. #SecretsMW #MuseumWeek
Getting ready for tonight's Halloween themed cocktail party with Exelon Corp.
It's not too often that you get to hear an 1887 Steinway piano. Still sounds as good as the day it was delivered to Mrs. Glessner. Want to hear more? Please join us for a special concert by pianist George Radosavljevic this Sunday at 4pm. Call 312-326-1480 for tickets. #glessnerhousemuseum #glessnerhouse
The Glessner House is rocking tonight courtesy of the Blues Kids Foundation. These are some amazing musicians. Concert is free and open to the public. Hury over, the music ends all too soon.
Keller Science Action Center at The Field Mus
1400 S Lake Shore Dr
Museo della scienza e dell'industria
E 57th St & S Lake Shore Dr
The Black Chicago Museum, Inc.
Southside
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S Lake Shore Dr
University of Illinois at Chicago - Museum an
935 W Harrison St
Gerber Hart Library and Archives
6500 N Clark St
