More than a picturesque glass structure, the Glass House in New Canaan is a 49-acre living archive of mid-20th century modernist innovation. At this year’s Summer Party on June 14, guests gathered across the property—including in the lakeside Pavilion known as the Folly—for picnics, performances by Pilobolus, and a tribute to designer Gaetano Pesce. Elm Restaurant provided curated baskets, and the grounds buzzed with art collectors, architects, and design enthusiasts.
Led by Executive Director Kirsten Reoch, the Glass House staff works year-round to steward and interpret a site that includes 14 buildings and significant landscape features, from wetlands to sculpture gardens. In addition to the iconic Glass and Brick Houses, visitors discover hidden gems like the Painting Gallery, Sculpture Gallery, and 18th-century Grainger House.
Preservation remains a constant challenge and priority. Restorations—such as the $1.8 million Brick House rehabilitation—demand expert craftsmanship and historic fidelity. The lakeside Pavilion, with its classical columns and gold-leaf ceiling, is next in line for structural and aesthetic repair.
Reoch emphasizes that the mission extends beyond architecture. Annual attendance exceeds 15,000, and new membership tiers invite broader engagement.
Through exhibitions like Barbara Kasten’s ‘Structure, Light, Land’, and special programs, concerts and lectures, The Glass House continues to shape the cultural conversation in New Canaan and beyond.
Look for the full article and photo coverage by John Kriz in next week’s issue, where we take readers inside the Glass House Summer Party with scenes from the Folly, conversations with Executive Director Kirsten Reoch, and a closer look at the art, architecture, and restoration efforts that define one of New Canaan’s most storied landmarks.
