SOLD OUT! Immerse yourself in the stunning design philosophy of William Morris. Reflecting the deep interests of Frances Glessner and the renowned architect Henry Hobson Richardson in the English Arts and Crafts Movement, Glessner House showcases what is believed to be the largest collection of Morris wallpapers, textiles, and rugs in any publicly accessible residence in the United States.

Join us for a tour of this historic gem and discover the beauty and craftsmanship of Morris's work. From original pieces by Morris and William De Morgan, to faithfully reproduced wallpapers and textiles, you'll gain an intimate understanding of the design philosophy that defined the Arts and Crafts movement.

SOLD OUT! Experience high Victorian tea in the historic dining room and parlor of Glessner House! These beautifully restored rooms serve as the perfect setting for this popular event, where attendees are treated to a traditional high tea with fine china, silver, and an assortment of delicious treats served in three courses - scones, sandwiches, and dessert.

Curator William Tyre will exhibit and discuss special objects from our archives brought out just for the event. Invite your mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, or good friend for what promises to be a most memorable experience. And men are welcome, too!

Just 32 spaces available per seating. Reservations required, as tickets sell quickly—don’t delay!

Join dynamic duo, and local Chicago artists, mezzo-soprano Leah Dexter and pianist Lisa Zilberman, as they weave together a romantic afternoon of art songs and arias that are full of longing, desire, love...and nature. With music by Respighi, Saint-Saens, Liszt, Price, among others, this is a musical journey that will surely be tantalizing to both the heart and the mind.

The concert will be followed by a reception, where guests will have an opportunity to meet the artists.

To celebrate National Historic Preservation Month, we are pleased to present this online program focusing on the extraordinary Black Point Estate, located on the shore of Geneva Lake in Wisconsin.

Historic preservation is difficult under the best of circumstances. During this presentation you will learn how Black Point was preserved despite numerous challenges, including legal opposition, over a ten year period. Since 2005, it has been owned and operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society, which opens it seasonally for tours. You will also learn what amazing architecture was lost around Geneva Lake and why historic preservation can be an asset to any community.

Uncover the groundbreaking design of Glessner House on our exclusive tours! Step back in time to 1887 and witness a piece of architectural history that sparked controversy and paved the way for modern residential design. As you explore this magnificent building from basement to attic, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of the work of H. H. Richardson and the lasting impact he had on architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. This is a rare opportunity to delve into the history and intricacies of this masterpiece, with access to areas not seen on public tours and a chance to view Richardson's original sketch. Don't miss this unforgettable two-hour journey into the heart of architectural innovation!

Come one, come all! We are inviting all our arts-and-crafty community members to a Visioning Town Hall! As we at Glessner House explore how we might expand our arts and culture programming for our community (i.e., YOU), we want to hear about your interests and experiences. Please join us for snacks and beverages, and a facilitated visioning session in our Coach House to help us with our planning.

Who: Anyone interested in, or curious about, arts and culture offerings for you or your family (no specific experience required - all perspectives are welcome!)

What: A fun chance to meet fellow community members, enjoy some treats, and offer input into how Glessner House might serve the community through arts and culture programming in the future.

Step into a world where 60 percent of a family’s home was dedicated to areas for paid servants to live and work. Immerse yourself in the captivating story of this 17,400 square foot mansion, designed by the celebrated architect Henry Hobson Richardson in 1885. Commissioned to house the Glessner family and their live-in staff of eight, this architectural gem offers a rare glimpse into the life of servants in the late 19th century.

Join us on a journey through time as we delve into the extraordinary records maintained by Frances Glessner. Her personal journal and a separate book, where she documented each servant as they came and went, provide an unparalleled insight into the lives of these unsung heroes.

Join us at the Kenilworth Assembly Hall, designed by George W. Maher in 1907, and recently restored to its original grandeur, as we celebrate the 160th anniversary of the birth of this important Prairie School architect. Architectural historian H. Allen Brooks once noted, “His influence on the Midwest was profound and prolonged, and, in its time, was certainly as great as Wright’s.”

The event will include abundant food and beverage (including the iconic Homer’s ice cream, a North Shore tradition), and a chance to view the “Century Homes” exhibit at the Kenilworth Historical Society across the street, which features many houses designed by Maher, including his own, completed in 1893. Attendees will have a rare opportunity to step inside the log cabin playhouse built by Kenilworth founder Joseph Sears for his children, when his family lived across the street from the Glessners on Prairie Avenue in the late 1880s.

Uncover the groundbreaking design of Glessner House on our exclusive tours! Step back in time to 1887 and witness a piece of architectural history that sparked controversy and paved the way for modern residential design. As you explore this magnificent building from basement to attic, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of the work of H. H. Richardson and the lasting impact he had on architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. This is a rare opportunity to delve into the history and intricacies of this masterpiece, with access to areas not seen on public tours and a chance to view Richardson's original sketch. Don't miss this unforgettable two-hour journey into the heart of architectural innovation!

Immerse yourself in the stunning design philosophy of William Morris. Reflecting the deep interests of Frances Glessner and the renowned architect Henry Hobson Richardson in the English Arts and Crafts Movement, Glessner House showcases what is believed to be the largest collection of Morris wallpapers, textiles, and rugs in any publicly accessible residence in the United States.

Join us for a tour of this historic gem and discover the beauty and craftsmanship of Morris's work. From original pieces by Morris and William De Morgan, to faithfully reproduced wallpapers and textiles, you'll gain an intimate understanding of the design philosophy that defined the Arts and Crafts movement.

In April 1949 - exactly 75 years ago - author Arthur Meeker published his novel Prairie Avenue. The characters in the book may have been fictional, but were little more than thinly veiled depictions of Chicago’s business and social leaders of the late 19th century, who Meeker and his parents counted among their neighbors. Born at 1815 S. Prairie Avenue in 1902, Meeker absorbed the world around him, and in Prairie Avenue presented Chicago’s glittering Gilded Age, as it existed from the 1880s to the early 1900s.

This presentation will be given by William Tyre, Executive Director and Curator. In addition to the discussing the book itself, Tyre will explore the three generations of Meeker’s family who called the neighborhood home, the book’s reception, and the real people that served as inspiration for the novel’s engaging characters.

Uncover the groundbreaking design of Glessner House on our exclusive tours! Step back in time to 1887 and witness a piece of architectural history that sparked controversy and paved the way for modern residential design. As you explore this magnificent building from basement to attic, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of the work of H. H. Richardson and the lasting impact he had on architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. This is a rare opportunity to delve into the history and intricacies of this masterpiece, with access to areas not seen on public tours and a chance to view Richardson's original sketch. Don't miss this unforgettable two-hour journey into the heart of architectural innovation!

Step into a world where 60 percent of a family’s home was dedicated to areas for paid servants to live and work. Immerse yourself in the captivating story of this 17,400 square foot mansion, designed by the celebrated architect Henry Hobson Richardson in 1885. Commissioned to house the Glessner family and their live-in staff of eight, this architectural gem offers a rare glimpse into the life of servants in the late 19th century.

Join us on a journey through time as we delve into the extraordinary records maintained by Frances Glessner. Her personal journal and a separate book, where she documented each servant as they came and went, provide an unparalleled insight into the lives of these unsung heroes.

Uncover the groundbreaking design of Glessner House on our exclusive tours! Step back in time to 1887 and witness a piece of architectural history that sparked controversy and paved the way for modern residential design. As you explore this magnificent building from basement to attic, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of the work of H. H. Richardson and the lasting impact he had on architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. This is a rare opportunity to delve into the history and intricacies of this masterpiece, with access to areas not seen on public tours and a chance to view Richardson's original sketch. Don't miss this unforgettable two-hour journey into the heart of architectural innovation!

Immerse yourself in the stunning design philosophy of William Morris. Reflecting the deep interests of Frances Glessner and the renowned architect Henry Hobson Richardson in the English Arts and Crafts Movement, Glessner House showcases what is believed to be the largest collection of Morris wallpapers, textiles, and rugs in any publicly accessible residence in the United States.

Join us for a tour of this historic gem and discover the beauty and craftsmanship of Morris's work. From original pieces by Morris and William De Morgan, to faithfully reproduced wallpapers and textiles, you'll gain an intimate understanding of the design philosophy that defined the Arts and Crafts movement.

When the architectural firm of TVS designed the McCormick Place West Building in 2007, they planned a green roof to minimize the environmental impact of the building, and combined it with a charming terrace event space with skyline views. In 2013, the Chicago Botanic Garden's Windy City Harvest program transformed the massive 20,000-square-foot roof into the largest farm-to-fork rooftop garden in the Midwest. More than four tons of produce are grown on the roof each year for OVG Hospitality, the convention center's food service provider and Windy City Harvest program partner.

In late Summer, the show really begins. All the plants will finally be in full bloom. The tomatoes will be blushing, the peppers will be ripened, the flowers will stand tall with their sweet fragrances, and soon harvesting fall crops such as corn, winter squash, and hops will begin. You’ll see Native plants (Joe-Pye-Weed, Carex, and Wild Quinine) in their full glory. You’ll be able to taste herbs and edible flowers such as Citrus Basil, Borage, and Nasturtium. You’ll also see a lot of interesting beneficial insects such as honeybees, bumble bees, beneficial wasps, and butterflies. 

Uncover the groundbreaking design of Glessner House on our exclusive tours! Step back in time to 1887 and witness a piece of architectural history that sparked controversy and paved the way for modern residential design. As you explore this magnificent building from basement to attic, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of the work of H. H. Richardson and the lasting impact he had on architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. This is a rare opportunity to delve into the history and intricacies of this masterpiece, with access to areas not seen on public tours and a chance to view Richardson's original sketch. Don't miss this unforgettable two-hour journey into the heart of architectural innovation!

Step into a world where 60 percent of a family’s home was dedicated to areas for paid servants to live and work. Immerse yourself in the captivating story of this 17,400 square foot mansion, designed by the celebrated architect Henry Hobson Richardson in 1885. Commissioned to house the Glessner family and their live-in staff of eight, this architectural gem offers a rare glimpse into the life of servants in the late 19th century.

Join us on a journey through time as we delve into the extraordinary records maintained by Frances Glessner. Her personal journal and a separate book, where she documented each servant as they came and went, provide an unparalleled insight into the lives of these unsung heroes.

Uncover the groundbreaking design of Glessner House on our exclusive tours! Step back in time to 1887 and witness a piece of architectural history that sparked controversy and paved the way for modern residential design. As you explore this magnificent building from basement to attic, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of the work of H. H. Richardson and the lasting impact he had on architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. This is a rare opportunity to delve into the history and intricacies of this masterpiece, with access to areas not seen on public tours and a chance to view Richardson's original sketch. Don't miss this unforgettable two-hour journey into the heart of architectural innovation!

Immerse yourself in the stunning design philosophy of William Morris. Reflecting the deep interests of Frances Glessner and the renowned architect Henry Hobson Richardson in the English Arts and Crafts Movement, Glessner House showcases what is believed to be the largest collection of Morris wallpapers, textiles, and rugs in any publicly accessible residence in the United States.

Join us for a tour of this historic gem and discover the beauty and craftsmanship of Morris's work. From original pieces by Morris and William De Morgan, to faithfully reproduced wallpapers and textiles, you'll gain an intimate understanding of the design philosophy that defined the Arts and Crafts movement.

Uncover the groundbreaking design of Glessner House on our exclusive tours! Step back in time to 1887 and witness a piece of architectural history that sparked controversy and paved the way for modern residential design. As you explore this magnificent building from basement to attic, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of the work of H. H. Richardson and the lasting impact he had on architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. This is a rare opportunity to delve into the history and intricacies of this masterpiece, with access to areas not seen on public tours and a chance to view Richardson's original sketch. Don't miss this unforgettable two-hour journey into the heart of architectural innovation!

Step into a world where 60 percent of a family’s home was dedicated to areas for paid servants to live and work. Immerse yourself in the captivating story of this 17,400 square foot mansion, designed by the celebrated architect Henry Hobson Richardson in 1885. Commissioned to house the Glessner family and their live-in staff of eight, this architectural gem offers a rare glimpse into the life of servants in the late 19th century.

Join us on a journey through time as we delve into the extraordinary records maintained by Frances Glessner. Her personal journal and a separate book, where she documented each servant as they came and went, provide an unparalleled insight into the lives of these unsung heroes.