Glessner House

Located in Chicago’s Prairie Avenue district, Glessner House is a cultural center and museum, showcasing revolutionary design and celebrating the cultural arts from the late 1800s to the present day. Designed by the legendary American architect Henry Hobson Richardson, this architectural marvel was completed in 1887 and continues to be a renowned treasure in the city of Chicago. John Jacob Glessner, Frances Macbeth Glessner, and their two children, George and Frances, called Glessner House home until Mr. Glessner’s death in 1936. The family’s philanthropy and support of institutions—including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Chicago—was considerable and has had a lasting impact. The house contains the majority of its original furnishings and has been restored and interpreted to the period of the Glessner occupancy using a rich archive of materials ranging from Frances Glessner’s journal (maintained for forty years), correspondence, original building documents, and photographs taken by the Glessner’s son.

To sign up or to be added to waitlist, click here.

Date and time of the tour: Wednesday, August 14, 10:00 AM

Approximate duration: 75 minutes

Capacity: 25 people

Additional questions, please contact: Frank Villella, villellaf@cso.org

Location: Glessner House is located at 1800 South Prairie Avenue, on the southwest corner of Prairie Avenue and 18th Street. Prairie Avenue is two blocks east of Michigan Avenue and 18th Street is two miles south of downtown Chicago. For detailed transit or driving directions, please visit the Glessner House website.

When you arrive, please meet in the Visitors Center, located in the former coach house; enter via the large green door on the 18th Street side of the building.

There are many places to explore in the vicinity of Glessner House in Chicago’s vibrant South Loop neighborhood. More information here.