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Tour Information

Glessner House Museum offers guided tours of Glessner House (1886), a National Historic Landmark and Clarke House (1836), the City's oldest surviving building located in the adjacent Chicago Women's Park and Gardens. Tours are led by trained docents and last approximately one hour in each house.  All tours begin at our Visitor's Center located at Glessner House Museum and are timed so that the two houses may be toured back-to-back.

We are open year-round, except for major holidays.

Glessner House Museum
Wednesday through Sunday

at 1:00 and 3:00 pm

Clarke House Museum
Wednesday through Sunday

at 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm

view of prairie avenue

 

view of northeastern corner of roof against blue sky

Events Calendar

glessner house chimney marked with 1886

Prairie Avenue

Walking Tours

Upcoming Tours:

July 21, 2013

August 18, 2013

September 15, 2013

(Tours begin at 2:00pm)

Also available by appointment for groups of 10 or more.

Starting Point: Glessner House Museum

Call 312.326.1480 to reserve a place, since group size is limited.

$15.00 per person,

$12.00 for museum members

Explore the fascinating history of Chicago's Prairie Avenue on this two-hour walking tour through the neighborhood, led by Bill Tyre, Executive Director and Curator of the Glessner House Museum and author of Chicago's Historic Prairie Avenue. The tour will cover 200 years of history, from the Battle of Fort Dearborn through the recent rebirth of the area as Chicago's hottest residential neighborhood. Visitors will see historic photos of homes that have been lost and walk past the eleven houses that remain in the area. Interior tours of the last surviving house on Calumet Avenue, now functioning as the Wheeler Mansion boutique hotel, and the incredible Arts & Crafts sanctuary of Second Presbyterian Church, featuring nine Tiffany windows, will be included.

Check back often for details on more exciting events and programs!
See end of list for recurring programs including children's events

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING PARKING

Parking is available for all special events (NOT regular tours or Prairie Avenue Walking Tours) in a parking lot located on the west side of Indiana Avenue, one block south of 18th Street.  Look for signs that read "MUSEUM PARKING ONLY."  A greeter at the gate will provide you with the necessary parking permit when you arrive at the lot.

 

Treasures from the Collection VI
A special members-only event!
Thursday June 27, 2013

6:30pm - reception; 7:00pm - program

This is your special opportunity to see items from the collection that are not on display for the general public.  Textiles, silver, photographs, documents, and much more are brought out for this one evening just for our members.  If you are not a member - join today in order to receive your invitation!

Private Tour:  Lake Geneva and the Dreihaus Estate
SOLD OUT
Saturday August 24, 2013

1:30 - 5:30pm

$50 per person

Prepaid reservations required to 312-326-1480, space limited

Explore the architecture and landscape of Lake Geneva, summer home to many of Chicago's business and social leaders for generations.  The tour begins with a walk along one of the finest sections of the shore path, led by Lake Geneva expert John K. Notz, Jr., who will provide information on the homes, architects, and landscape designers.  After the walking tour, enjoy a private interior tour of the Driehaus Estate, built in 1905 for Norman Harris of Harris Bank, and originally known as Wadsworth Hall.  The event will conclude with a cocktail reception at the Estate.  A very special opportunity not to be missed!
All proceeds benefit the House & Collections Committee Fund for the ongoing restoration of the museum.

Private Tour:  Edgar Miller House
Saturday September 14, 2013 at 10:00am
$25 per person
Prepaid reservations required to 312-326-1480
Group size limited to 20
This tour will explore the finest and most elaborate of Edgar Miller's handmade homes, a privately owned Old Town flat that was built in the 1920s and 1930s.  Miller was a Chicago artist who used recycled material to turn old homes into works of art.  He called it a "social adventure."  Miller was called "the blond boy Michelangelo" in the 1920s; "a new luminary" in the 1930s; and "one of the most versatile artists in America" in the 1940s.  His artistry offers lessons about beauty, creativity, and honesty.
The tour will be led by Richard Cahan, co-author of the 2009 book Edgar Miller and the Handmade Home: Chicago's Forgotten Renaissance Man.
Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to experience Miller's dazzling artistic legacy!
All proceeds benefit the House & Collections Committee Fund for the ongoing restoration of the museum.

Lecture:  H. H. Richardson and his Chicago Legacy

Sunday September 29, 2013 at 2:00pm

$10 per person / $8 for members

Glessner House Coach House

R.S.V.P. to 312.326.1480

In celebration of the 175th anniversary of the birth of Glessner House architect Henry Hobson Richardson on September 29, 1838, architect and historian John Waters will present a talk on Richardson and his Chicago legacy.  The talk will focus no only on Richardson's own body of work, but the influence that work had on other architects in Chicago, notably Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Henry Ives Cobb.  Richardson was one of the most influential architects of his time and in few places was his legacy felt more than in the American Midwest and its leading city, Chicago.

As a special treat, attendees will receive a piece of birthday cake - the same celebrated recipe for strawberry shortcake served when Richardson first visited the Glessners in May 1885.


RECURRING PROGRAMS:

Clarke House Museum Historic Handiwork Circle

Last Thursday of each month from 9:30 to 11:30am

Free for ladies and gents ages 10 and up

(Children must be accompanied by an adult)

Clarke House Museum, 1827 S. Indiana Avenue, Chicago
Limited seating, please RSVP to 312.326.1480
Join fellow Chicagoans with a passion for traditional handiwork starting this summer at Clarke House Museum!  Ladies and gents ages 10 and up are invited to bring protable, non-electric, self-contained projects to work on against the historic backdrop of Clarke House Museum.  We are looking for those already involved in a historic craft including (but not limited to):  sewing, knitting, needlepoint, carding/spinning, crochet, wood carving/whittling, leather-working, rug-hooking, lace-making, etc.  This is an opportunity to meet other traditional craft enthusiasts and set aside time to work on your special projects. 
NOTE:  This group is non-instructional and geared toward those already established in their chosen craft.

Terrific Tuesdays

Tuesdays, June 18 - August 6, 2013
10:00 - 11:00am
$5 per child/$3 for Junior members
Reservations requested to 312.326.1480

Come every Tuesday this summer for a new adventure!  Learn about life in early Chicago and on Prairie Avenue while making different craft projects.  Recommended for ages 3 through 13, children must be accompanied by an adult.  All activities will take place in the Coach House of the museum, please use the 18th Street entrance.

June 18: Mocassins

Before there were homes along Prairie Avenue, the area was inhabited by the Potawatomi.  Sew your own traditional Native American footwear.

June 25: Decorative Tiles

William De Morgan crafted colorful tiles to brighten up the Glessner House.  Paint a fancy tile to decorate your home.

July 2: Photo Fun

George Glessner was an amateur photographer who documented his house and neighborhood.  Discover early photographic techniques.

July 9: Band Boxes

The Clarke family stored their belongings in paper-covered boxes.  Construct your own from wallpaper scraps to keep your treasures safe.

July 16: Quilt Blocks

Early Chicago families made beautiful quilts to keep them warm.  Learn about historic block patterns and recreate one.  Or design your own!

July 23: Butter Making

Butter is a staple that the Clarke family would have made on a weekly basis.  Help church some fresh butter to taste and share.

July 30: Dominoes

Mr. Glessner's company advertised their farm equipment on various items - even games!  Build your own set and learn this classic game.

August 6: Gardening

Mrs. Glessner kept a large garden at her summer home in New Hampshire, called The Rocks.  Learn about heirloom plants and grow your own herbs.

Campout in the Courtyard at Glessner House Museum

Co-sponsored by the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance

Three chances to participate!

Friday evenings June 28, July 19, and August 9, 2013

Doors open at 4:00pm to set up tents.

$20/family of 2; $25/family of 3+ per evening

Snacks, kids beverages and breakfast included. Adult beverages BYOB.

BBQ dinner provided by Cafe Society - $5 per person.

Recommended for children ages 6-13, children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

RSVP for one, two, or all three evenings!  List your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice at www.pdnachicago.org.

Prepaid reservations required upon confirmation.

For more information, call the museum at 312.326.1480.

The great outdoors are right here in the heart of the Prairie District.  Bring your tent and/or sleeping bag and spend a night under the stars with your friends playing games, making s'mores, and watching a movie.  No worries about rain, we'll just move our festivities into the Coach House!

REGISTER NOW - LIMITED TENT SPACE AVAILABLE.


   

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www.glessnerhouse.org • glessnerhouse@sbcglobal.net
312.326.1480 • fax 312.326.1397 • 1800 S. Prairie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616

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