Many volumes have been written about Chicago’s finest houses designed by architects ranging from H. H. Richardson to Frank Lloyd Wright. But what about the everyday buildings in which the majority of us live? Chicago Homes: A Portrait of the City’s Everyday Architecture, published in 2025 with text by Carla Bruni and Phil Thompson, and hundreds of pen-and-ink illustrations by Wonder City Studio, is the first comprehensive book about Chicago’s residential architecture and the stories that shaped it.

Why are Chicago lots so narrow? How were Chicago’s alleys used before we had cars? What exactly is a “greystone”? The authors combine their decades of experience in historic preservation and illustration to create a resource that answers these and other questions about what makes a home a Chicago home.

SOLD OUT! 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!

SOLD OUT! Daniel Burnham was one Chicago’s greatest architects, and his 1909 Plan of Chicago still shapes the city we know today. Many people don’t realize that he spent the last three decades of his life living in what he called “bucolic Evanston.” The six-acre property included his home, a tea house, tennis courts, and a private beach.

Although his house was torn down in the 1930s and his property subdivided, many remnants of his time in Evanston remain, including homes built or remodeled by him for friends and neighbors.

This tour of what Burnham referred to as “the most beautiful city in the world” will be led by Kris Hartzell, Director of Facilities, Visitor Services, and Collections at the Evanston History Center, located in the landmark Charles Gates Dawes House.

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.

Celebrate the end of summer with an old-fashioned ice cream social in the beautiful courtyard of Glessner House. Enjoy ice cream treats, popcorn, a face painter, a balloon twister, and games for the kids! FREE ADMISSION - generously sponsored by Lakeside Bank.

SOLD OUT! Pack your picnic basket, grab your blanket and chairs, and chill your favorite beverages and head over for a special Courtyard Concert at Glessner House, part of our 2026 jazz series.

Our final jazz concerts of the season will feature vocalist Suneetha Vaitheswaran, joined by JoAnn Daugherty on piano, Paul DiLorenzo on guitar, Joshua Ramos on bass, and Ryan Bennett on drums. Suneetha entertains audiences with a broad selection of old and new standards arranged in the jazz tradition and performs at venues including Chicago’s legendary Jazz Showcase with world-class musicians and is a proven favorite here at Glessner House, too!

SOLD OUT! Pack your picnic basket, grab your blanket and chairs, and chill your favorite beverages and head over for a special Courtyard Concert at Glessner House, part of our 2026 jazz series.

Our final jazz concerts of the season will feature vocalist Suneetha Vaitheswaran, joined by JoAnn Daugherty on piano, Paul DiLorenzo on guitar, Joshua Ramos on bass, and Ryan Bennett on drums. Suneetha entertains audiences with a broad selection of old and new standards arranged in the jazz tradition and performs at venues including Chicago’s legendary Jazz Showcase with world-class musicians and is a proven favorite here at Glessner House, too!

Glessner House will be hosting two performances of E*RNEST, a modern take on Oscar Wilde’s classic The Importance of Being Earnest, produced by *theatre in partnership with Pop Up! Productions.

Show times are 3:30 and 7:30pm.

This very special tour provides attendees with the rare opportunity to visit the interiors of several landmarked homes in the Prairie Avenue Historic District. See beautifully carved wood moldings, leaded glass windows, fireplaces in elaborate tile, mosaic, and marble, and much more!

Sites tentatively included on the 2026 tour:
-Marshall Field Jr. house, 1919 S. Prairie Avenue (Solon S. Beman, architect; 1883;
remodeling by Daniel H. Burnham & Co., 1902)
-Charles Purdy house, 213 E. Cullerton Street, (Thomas & Rapp, architects; 1891)
-William Reid house, 2013 S. Prairie Avenue (Beers, Clay & Dutton, architects; 1894)
-Harriet Rees house, 2017 S. Prairie Avenue (Cobb & Frost, architects, 1888)
-Second Presbyterian Church, 1936 S. Michigan Avenue (James Renwick Jr., architect, 1874; remodeling by Howard Van Doren Shaw, 1901)
-Trevi Square, formerly St. Luke’s Hospital (Charles S. Frost, 1906)
-The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, originally Engine Company 104, 1401 S. Michigan Avenue (Charles F. Hermann, 1905)

An abbreviated tour of Glessner House including the main first floors rooms is also included.

Tour guides will also be stationed at various locations in the neighborhood to discuss and show photos of prominent lost houses including those of Marshall Field, George Pullman, Philip Armour, and others.

John and Frances Glessner attended the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia
and, like many others, purchased a few items at the fair as souvenirs, which are still displayed in the house. John Glessner’s company, then known as Warder, Mitchell & Co., also exhibited its farm machinery in Agricultural Hall. This presentation will look at the Exposition as America’s first word’s fair and how it commemorated the 100th anniversary of the United States. It will also consider how railroads made it possible for people to reach the exhibition, and how the items sold at the Centennial helped spur the development of department stores in Victorian America.

The presentation will be given by John Hepp, professor emeritus of history at Wilkes University in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.

This walking tour down South Michigan Avenue explores what is considered the largest intact early “automobile row” in the U.S.  At its peak in the early 20th century, more than 100 different makes of automobiles were being sold on Motor Row. 

Today, the revitalized stretch of street showcases more than sixty of the original showrooms in what is now considered the landmark Motor Row District, with stunning examples of elaborately molded terra cotta, ornate facades, and intricately scrolled ironwork designed by notable architects such as Holabird & Roche, Alfred Alschuler, Christian Eckstorm, Philip Maher, and Albert Kahn.

This tour will explore Hutchinson Street, a beautiful residential street located in Chicago’s Buena Park neighborhood. The 700 and 800 blocks were designated as the Hutchinson Street District by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks in 1977. A showcase for residential architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the street is well known for several homes designed by George W. Maher, spanning two decades of his career.

The tour will continue on Buena Avenue and Hazel Street, and will include a brief stop inside the former mansion now occupied by the publisher, Haymarket Books, before arriving at Hutchinson Street itself. After a discussion of the early development of the area and its annexation to Chicago in 1889, we will study a variety of significant houses. George Maher’s commissions range from the 1894 Queen Anne style of the John C. Scales house, to his design for the Claude Seymour house of 1913, showcasing classic Prairie Style characteristics. Houses by other architects including Jenney & Mundie, George S. Kingsley, Huehl & Schmid, and Richard Schmidt will provide a comparison to Maher’s works.

The 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition - the “White City” - was considered so important in the history of Chicago that a star on the city’s flag was designated in its honor. It was also of national significance in the development of what came to be known as the “American Renaissance.” 

This walking tour of Jackson Park, with architect and historian John Waters, will locate the sites of landmarks of the fair, explore the fascinating vestiges of the fair that still remain, and show how the fair influenced the design of Jackson Park as we know it today.  The tour will meet at the base of reproduction of sculptor Daniel Chester French’s golden Statue of the Republic on Hayes Drive, which marks the location of the fair’s central Administration Building.

SOLD OUT! In the late nineteenth century, Prairie Avenue was the most exclusive street in Chicago. Nearly ninety mansions lined the six blocks from 16th to 22nd streets, including the homes of the city’s three wealthiest citizens - department store owner Marshall Field, meat packer Philip D. Armour, and sleeping car manufacturer George M. Pullman.

Explore over two centuries of history – from the Battle of Fort Dearborn in 1812 through the neighborhood’s recent transformation into what is once again one of the most fashionable and desirable neighborhoods in Chicago.

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.

Independence Day at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago was remembered as “the greatest Fourth of July celebration in the nation’s history.” A record crowd filled Jackson Park to hear patriotic speeches and music, honor two Liberty Bells, see the Declaration of Independence, and watch a parade of nations march down the Midway Plaisance. At night, the Ferris Wheel was set on fire and an astounding fireworks show decorated the skies above the White City. 

The presentation will be given by Scott Cummings, an independent researcher who publishes worldsfairchicago1893.com, an educational website devoted to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.

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.