The Glass House

My dear friend Arlena has recently visited Philip Johnson's famous Glass House in Connecticut, and sent me these up-close pictures that are just dreamy.


In the late 1940s, a group of influential architects educated at Harvard University moved to New Canaan, Connecticut. They chose the location for its proximity to Manhattan and because they were able to buy large, inexpensive plots of land to build on. New Canaan has since become famous for its collection of modern homes and the most recognized is the Glass House built by Philip Johnson. Johnson spent much of his life at the property and called it his “50 year diary”. The title “Glass House” refers not only to the glass home he built there but also to the other structures and sculptures on the 47 acre estate. With his partner David Whitney, Johnson played hosted many artists here, including Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns. After his death in 2005, the Glass House was turned over to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and in June of 2007 it was opened to the public.

Visits to the Glass House must be booked well in advance. Although photographs are not allowed on the regular 90 minute tours which are $25/person, they are encouraged on the last tour of the day which is 2 hours and $40/person.

Windex anyone?