Glessner House

A National Historic Landmark, Glessner House was designed by noted American architect Henry Hobson Richardson and completed in 1887. It remains an internationally-known architectural treasure in Chicago. A radical departure from traditional Victorian architecture, the structure served as an inspiration to architects such as Louis Sullivan, Mies van der Rohe, and the young Frank Lloyd Wright and helped redefine domestic architecture.

Glessner House offers guided tours of the fully restored building, a National Historic Landmark. Tours are led by trained docents and last approximately 60 minutes.  Advance ticket required; tours are limited to four people to ensure safe social distancing.

Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
Tours at 11:30am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm

NOTE: Custom tours are available for up to eight people on a limited basis during the pandemic. Contact the House for further information.

Glessner House is open year-round, except for New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. 

HOW TO REACH

Glessner House is located at 1800 South Prairie Avenue, on the southwest corner of Prairie Avenue and 18th Street. Prairie Avenue is two blocks east of Michigan Avenue and 18th Street is two miles south of downtown Chicago. When you arrive at the house, enter through the coach house door facing 18th Street; a large sign is posted adjacent to this entrance.

Public Transportation and Taxis
From outlying neighborhoods, take any inbound bus or subway/elevated line into the Chicago downtown “Loop” area. Once in the downtown area, walk to Michigan Avenue and catch the #3 King Drive or #4 Cottage Grove bus. Ride the bus southbound to the southwest corner of Michigan Avenue and 18th Street. Walk 2 blocks east to the Glessner House Visitors Center.

We are also just a 12-minute walk from the new Green Line Cermak/McCormick Place station and a 15-minute walk from either the Cermak-Chinatown or Roosevelt stations on the Red Line. Call 312.836.7000 or visit for further public transit travel information.

Due to our proximity to McCormick Place, taxis are easily obtained by walking two blocks west to the corner of 18th Street and Michigan Avenue.

Bikes
Renting a bike is a great way to visit Glessner and explore the area. A Divvy station is located one block east of the House at 18th Street and Calumet Avenue. A second station is two blocks west of the House at 18th Street and Michigan Avenue.

Parking
Street parking near Glessner House is limited, but a number of parking services offer convenient parking at a reasonable rate. There is free on-street parking on both 18th Street and Indiana Avenue. Metered parking is available on Michigan Avenue. The remaining streets are zoned for resident permit parking only. If visiting the museum during a Soldier Field event, please stop in the Visitors Center to obtain a parking placard before parking.

ADMISSION

Adult: $20.00
Senior (60+): $17.00
Student: $17.00
Children 12 and under not admitted at this time.

Tours are always free for members of Glessner House and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.