The Glass House Hosted Their Annual Summer Party Celebrating 75 Years of the Philip Johnson House

With a week of intermittent rain showers on the East Coast, the skies cleared just in time for The Glass House’s annual Summer Party, celebrating 75 years since the inception of the historic 49-acre compound.

As soon as guests made their way inside the estate, they were welcomed with a performance by Brendan Fernandes with trays of jamón and tuna tartare offered to each attendee. On the left corner by the grand tents, pieces ranging from portraits, lithographs, and mid-century furniture were presented and available for auction, from artists such as Tom Otterness, Tyler Hays, Annie Leibovitz, and more (one of the standout items that were also up for auction was an overnight stay at the newly-renovated Brick House for two people with a dinner for 10 guests). All proceeds will support the preservation of the site.

Adjacent to the historic home, presenting sponsor Max Mara set up a chic pop-up store complete with a gelato truck for guests to indulge their sweet tooths while shopping. Meanwhile, Aesop presented an unconventional olfactive experience with a line of nose busts showcasing the brand’s signature scents.

The Glass House is a National Trust Historic Site that was once the residence of architect Philip Johnson and his partner, the art curator David Whitney, and served as a gathering place for some of the world’s most renowned architects, artists, and designers of their era. Today, the New Canaan home comes as a sanctuary where art, architecture, and social justice intersect.

“The Glass House Summer Party took place on one of the most beautiful days of the year. We could not have asked for a better day to celebrate 75 years of architecture, art, culture, fashion, and design,” Kirsten Reoch, executive director of the Glass House, said in her opening remarks. “The crowd was a lively mix of friends from New York City, neighbors from New Canaan, international artists, and modernist architecture fans from all over. It was my first Summer Party here, and I cannot imagine how we will ever top this!” she quipped.

Lunch was served in true summer fashion; each guest picked up a picnic basket brimming with the season’s finest harvest, including a chicken and farro bowl, a watermelon salad, burnt Basque cheesecake, and a ripe California peach—courtesy of Elm. Around the estate, indigo and baby blue blankets from Tekla were laid throughout, from the corner of the painting gallery down to the pavilion on the pond, inviting everyone to bask in the summer sun.

Beats by DJ Rachel Winter had guests up on their feet while nursing their wines from Belle Glos and Elouan. And just as the sun was about to set, guests took home mementos with special goodies from Design Within Reach, Land Rover Darien, Aesop, and more.