Glass House to open, with parking on site
The Glass House will reopen for visitors in April after the Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to allow visitors to the National Historic Landmark to park on the premises due to concerns over COVID-19.
Visitors will be welcome to take outdoor self-guided tours of the mid-century modern architect Phillips Johnson’s 49-acre compound at 842 Ponus Ridge starting April 16 for $20 per person. It will be open Thursday thru Monday 10 a.m to 5 p.m., by reservation only.
The staff will be present to answer questions at the various locations on the self-guided tour. Visitors will be able to view the structures on the compound dating from 1949 to 1995, including The Glass House, built by the mid-century modern architect; the Pond Pavilion, the Ghost House, and several others.
Prior to the pandemic, visitors were taken by van to premises from the Glass House gift shop at 199 Elm St. This year, with modifications made to the special permit by the commission, visitors will be able to park in one of 16 parking spaces.
Executive Director Greg Sages went before Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 23, since modifications to the special permit were needed since the museum is located in a 2-acre zone.
The commission is allowing onsite parking since visitors riding in the van would not be able to keep appropriately socially distanced during the pandemic.
A new colorful garden, created by David Hartt, is located in the southern meadow just below the Glass House. It is the first artistdesigned garden on the historic site’s landscape and was planned before the pandemic.
The circular garden will span 40 feet wide, featuring an array of flowers — including peonies, chrysanthemums, zinnias, and
phlox — that will bloom sequentially over the warmer seasons.
The selection of flowers have been curated consistent with paintings of Charles Ethan Porter (1847-1923), an African-American artist whose painted still lifes and landscapes.
For the duration of the project, a vase designed by Hartt will sit on the dining table in the Glass House with cuttings from the garden. Additionally, an online exhibition will feature works by
Porter and Hartt along with documentation of the evolving project.
When designing the garden, Hartt took inspiration from David Whitney, a well-known curator and Johnson’s partner of 40 years, who had exerted considerable influence on the evolution of the landscape.
The provisions will be in place until either Gov. Ned Lamont’s restrictions are lifted or when the venue usually closes, Dec. 15. In 2020, the Glass House closed in
November because of restrictions.
The Glass House has faced fundraising challenges since a third of its income is derived from tours and visitations, but the enterprise was able to keep its 10-person staff, Sages told Hearst Connecticut Media. That was made possible by the Paycheck Protection Program, contributions and a trust left by by Johnson and Whitney.
The usual tours normally include visits inside the buildings
and cost $50 and up. The organization held virtual tours during the pandemic.
Sages is not sure if the main annual fundraiser event will take place, if so it will be on June 12. An online auction will be held either way. The present restrictions would make it prohibitive to have enough people attend a function to raise money, Sages said.
The Glass House was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1997.