The Arts & Crafts Details of Chicago’s Own Glessner House

by Glessner House Executive Director Bill Tyre

First published: August 22nd, 2024

With the Glessners’ house, H. H. Richardson shattered the designs typical for the period and created an example of one goal of the Arts and Crafts Movement: a completely integrated environment. Not only is the house part of the Prairie Avenue Historic District, but the house portrays a number of Arts & Crafts characteristics including wood furniture design by the Herter Brothers, William Morris designs on the walls and floors, and the ceramics collection of Mrs. Glessner, an avid supporter of the Arts and Crafts movement.

Listed on the national register for historic places and named both a National Historic Landmark and a Chicago landmark, the Glessner House shines as an example of historic Chicago’s finest and Executive Director Bill Tyre revealed the Arts & Crafts details of the Glessner House.