This is an invitation from Sharon Sylvester, a retired CTG, honorary CTPA member, and past officer, who is organizing a site inspection/fam trip to some sites in the south loop that are celebrating changes made recently.
On June 17, come and visit the Glessner House and Second Presbyterian Church. to see and appreciate their recent renovations and interiors changes.
We will start at 10:00 at Glessner House, located at 1800 S Prairie Ave, for a tour of this National Historic Landmark renowned as an architectural masterpiece by H.H. Richardson, completed in 1887, and known for its innovative design that influenced future architects like Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. The home has many original furnishings and artifacts or replicated furnishings allowing you to step back into the Gilded Age of Chicago. 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the rescue from demolition by a group of preservationists and architects which eventually led to the formation of the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC). THe standard tour lasts 75 minutes and includes both the courtyard, exterior and interior.
Next walk about 10 minutes south along historic Prairie Ave to Second Presbyterian Church at 1936 S Michigan Ave.
Originally built in 1874, the interior of the church was destroyed by a fire in 1900. The rebuild of the church was led by Howard Van Doren Shaw and is a wonderful example of Arts and Crafts and is a National Historic Landmark. In the last 20 years, Friends of Historic Second Church has raised funds to restore some of the art and architecture of the church. Come and see the murals done by Frederic Clay Bartlett and windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany, 4 of which have been restored. The most recent restoration, the Jeweled window, will be installed June 1.
RSVP to attend. Due to site capacity limits, Members only. If you wish to possibly bring a guest, email Sharon Sylvester (sharonsyl2@hotmail.com) with your request, which may be approved, closer to the event date.
HOW TO GET THERE: CTA buses #3 (begins at Water Tower) and #4 (begins by the Metra Millennium Station) travel south on Michigan Ave and stop at Michigan Ave & 18th St and at Michigan Ave & Cullerton. There is free parking in the lot to the north of Second Presbyterian.
As a ready reference or souvenir of Glessner House, consider purchasing their new guide book:
H. H. Richardson’s Glessner House: A Guide Book. Featuring a text by architect John Waters, and stunning new photography by James Caulfield, the book takes the reader on a tour of Richardson’s urban residential masterpiece starting with the bold and controversial Richardsonian Romanesque exterior. The book continues with a detailed look at each of the rooms of the house, noting the original furnishings and restored décor, including wallpapers, textiles, and rugs by Morris & Co. Additional information includes a history of the house from its inception through to the present day, floor plans, and a series of spreads exploring topics ranging from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to the Glessners’ summer estate The Rocks, and from Isaac Scott to Frances Glessner as craftswoman. The 84-page paperback book, priced at just $14.95, is available in our Visitors Center as well as our online store at the link: Purchase Guide Book
