GLESSNER HOUSE MUSEUM
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Mission Statement
Our mission is to spark excitement in architecture, history, and design through a dynamic exploration of Glessner House, its family, and its preservation, with the vision of inspiring people to enrich their own lives through experiencing the power of architecture, design, and cultural history. We welcome local, national, and international communities and encourage diverse ideas, perspectives, and points of view and are committed to the highest quality programs and experiences. Our collections and stories endeavor to deepen the understanding of history by honoring the past and its relevance to the present. We provide care for the resources entrusted to us at Glessner House with honesty and accountability.
About This Cause
For more than 50 years, Glessner House has provided visitors with an immersive and engaging experience as they explore our internationally significant building, its important collection of original furniture and decorative arts, and the fascinating lives of the Glessner family. This is all made possible by generous supporters like you who have shared your time, talent and treasure to make Glessner House a world-class historic site that is consistently ranked among the top places to visit in Chicago and across the country. More than 10,000 visitors a year enter the imposing and beautiful Glessner House, and experience the result of decades of careful maintenance and restoration. Great Houses hold Great Stories! When Glessner House was completed in 1887, it was quickly recognized as the urban residential masterpiece of architect H. H. Richardson. The bold granite exterior was shunned by neighbors but praised by architects and designers. Richardson, and his design for Glessner House, significantly influenced the work of Louis H. Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, and many others. When the house was threatened with demolition in 1965, architect Philip Johnson called it “the most important house in the country to me.” Glessner House in engaging new audiences and creating dynamic programming to spark visitor excitement. We currently offer a rich variety of programming, including house tours, lectures, workshops, symposia, performances, and other activities (online and in person). Our goal is to further expand our visitor base through an even deeper exploration of the rich stories of architecture, history and design and to inspire those visitors for generations to come. An example of one of most successful programs is Time Travelers, where third grade students from underserved neighborhoods on Chicago’s South Side explore how architecture and design can impact their everyday lives. Following a tour where the students are encouraged to observe, question, and analyze the building and its original occupants, interactive activities build on what they learned. They compare the lives of the Glessner family and their servants, consider the choices that went into building Glessner House, and then design their own house based on what they learned. This program is funded by a generous grant from the Society of Architectural Historians American Architecture and Landscape Field Trip Program. Prior to the current circumstances we planned to expanded the program to include students throughout Chicago but now we will need to update our electronics and technical expertise in order to reach beyond with this and our other vibrant programming. Considering the many ways in which we can build upon the rich history of craftsmanship and design in the house by hosting artist workshops and exhibitions, welcoming everyone from architects and gardeners to photographers and beekeepers (which was one of Mrs. Glessner's longtime passions). With our unique stories, we wish to position Glessner House to be an essential community hub for the burgeoning South Loop, as well as a cultural anchor for the greater Chicagoland area.