Treasures from the Collection II

Special MEMBERS ONLY Event

Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 7:00pm

Glessner House Museum Coach House

R.S.V.P. to 312.326.1480 by July 3

Free of charge

Glessner House Museum members will be treated to a rare opportunity to see some of the most important and interesting items in the collection.  Many of these items are in collections storage and never visible to the public, others are set well behind the ropes and are difficult to see during our tours.  Objects representing the broad range of the collection from architectural drawings to textiles, and books to decorative objects will be discussed and on display for close inspection.  A special treat just for members.  Light refreshments will be served.

Prairie Avenue Walking Tours

Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00pm - July 12, August 9, and September 13

Starting Point:  Glessner House Museum Coach House

R.S.V.P. to 312.326.1480, reservations recommended, group size limited

$15.00 per person, $10.00 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, the tour will cover almost 200 years of history, from the tragic "Fort Dearborn Massacre" through the recent rebirth of the area of Chicago's hottest real estate market.  Historic photos of homes that have been lost - including the residences of George Pullman, Marshall Field, and Philip Armour - will be shown as the group heads down the street, examining 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.

Chicago History Museum Costume Exhibit Private Tour

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 2:00pm

Chicago History Museum, Clark Street at North Avenue

R.S.V.P. to 312.326.1480 by July 3

$25.00 per person, $20.00 for museum members

Join Tim Long, Curator of Costumes at the Chicago History Museum, for this very special private tour of two truly extraordinary costume exhibits at the museum.  Chic Chicago: Couture Treassures from the Chicago History Museum features more than 60 garments dating from 1861 to 2004 that represent the most prominent couturiers of the 19th and 20th centuries.  Included in the exhibit is a beautiful cape (shown above) worn by the Glessner's granddaughter in 1923, designed by Liberty & Company.  Bertha Honore Palmer will examine the life of Chicago's queen of Chicago society in the late 19th century and one of the most significant figures in America at the time.  The exhibition will explore her life and accomplishments through the museum's collection of her clothing and personal items, including her legendary diamond-encrusted dog collar.

Glessner House Museum is located in the South Loop at

1800 South Prairie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616

312/326-1480, Fax 312/326-1397

Many of our programs are partially supported by a CityArts 3 grant from the

City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.