More than 50 years after construction of Philip Johnson's private residence and modern masterpiece in New Canaan, Connecticut, the Glass House is opening to the public. Now a National Trust Historic Site, the 47-acre site is available for small group tours, which are sold out for the rest of the year.
But 500 lucky guests gathered on June 23 to mark the public opening with the restaging of a 1967 picnic and Merce Cunningham Dance Company performance. Fourteen dancers traversed two stages to perform the site-specific Glass House Event while guests ate cheese, fruit, gourmet chicken salad, brioche, and brownies out of picnic baskets.The event raised money toward the purchase of four acres north of the site, which will be bought to protect against future development. Attendees, who paid a minimum of $500 for a ticket, were encouraged to explore the grounds before sitting down to lunch. Guides and volunteers staged all around the site helped lead visitors once they arrived at buildings.
When planning the inaugural gala, the Glass House team wanted an event that was tailored to the site. Executive director Christy MacLear had heard rumors of the original performance (which was followed by Andy Warhol's Velvet Underground and fireworks) and decided it would be fitting to invite them back. "It was really intriguing, especially since the original performance had been to benefit the Cunningham Dance Foundation, so it really felt like it had come full circle," said Amy Grabowski, director of external affairs.
For event planner Carolyn Jeffrey, parking was the biggest challenge. There is no parking along the road, so she rented lots at nearby schools and shuttled everyone to the site in SUVs. Weather was also a concern, as the event was to be held rain or shine. Five hundred umbrellas were at the ready, but in the end there was no need.
Jeffrey commissioned unique tickets for the event: handmade unisex rubber and sterling-silver bands created by designer Ryan Kundrat, which could be worn as either necklaces or bracelets. They were sent in advance to the guests. "I didn't want to send tickets, I didn't want to send Livestrong bracelets, and I didn't want lanyards," Jeffrey said. "It was a great way to expedite check-in as well."
Several of the original guests from 1967 returned for the gala, including Merce Cunningham himself.
But 500 lucky guests gathered on June 23 to mark the public opening with the restaging of a 1967 picnic and Merce Cunningham Dance Company performance. Fourteen dancers traversed two stages to perform the site-specific Glass House Event while guests ate cheese, fruit, gourmet chicken salad, brioche, and brownies out of picnic baskets.The event raised money toward the purchase of four acres north of the site, which will be bought to protect against future development. Attendees, who paid a minimum of $500 for a ticket, were encouraged to explore the grounds before sitting down to lunch. Guides and volunteers staged all around the site helped lead visitors once they arrived at buildings.
When planning the inaugural gala, the Glass House team wanted an event that was tailored to the site. Executive director Christy MacLear had heard rumors of the original performance (which was followed by Andy Warhol's Velvet Underground and fireworks) and decided it would be fitting to invite them back. "It was really intriguing, especially since the original performance had been to benefit the Cunningham Dance Foundation, so it really felt like it had come full circle," said Amy Grabowski, director of external affairs.
For event planner Carolyn Jeffrey, parking was the biggest challenge. There is no parking along the road, so she rented lots at nearby schools and shuttled everyone to the site in SUVs. Weather was also a concern, as the event was to be held rain or shine. Five hundred umbrellas were at the ready, but in the end there was no need.
Jeffrey commissioned unique tickets for the event: handmade unisex rubber and sterling-silver bands created by designer Ryan Kundrat, which could be worn as either necklaces or bracelets. They were sent in advance to the guests. "I didn't want to send tickets, I didn't want to send Livestrong bracelets, and I didn't want lanyards," Jeffrey said. "It was a great way to expedite check-in as well."
Several of the original guests from 1967 returned for the gala, including Merce Cunningham himself.
Photo: David X. Prutting
Photo: David X. Prutting
Photo: Patrick McMullan
Photo: Patrick McMullan
Photo: David X. Prutting
Photo: Courtesy of the Philip Johnson Glass House
Photo: David X. Prutting