Have Your Special Day at a Special Place

“The house responds: it seems available for almost any social function.”  – John Glessner, The Story of a House

Experience a gracious venue steeped in Chicago history!  Tucked away in the Prairie Avenue Historic District in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood, Glessner House provides a distinctive alternative to hotels and banquet halls.  We offer rental space for meetings, private parties, corporate events, and are quickly becoming one of Chicago’s hottest and most distinctive wedding venues.

A variety of spaces help make Glessner House Museum ideal for your next event, including:

The Courtyard (4700 sq. ft) - Capacity:  Seated – 150; Cocktail - 200

Renovated in 2000, the Courtyard is one of the jewels in the Glessner House crown.  A peaceful outdoor retreat, it is the perfect setting for a large party or wedding ceremony and reception.  This child-friendly space, which can be tented, is also ideal for outdoor birthday parties and other family celebrations.

The Coach House (1778 sq. ft.) - Capacity:  Seated – 100; Cocktail - 150

Restored in 2006, this unique room originally served as the Glessners’ stables.  Now it is a large, open space filled with historic details and character—perfect for your next event.  A wonderful setting for large dinners, special receptions, and corporate events, it can be rented in combination with our Courtyard or as an alternative for rainy weather.

The Conservatory (505 sq. ft.) - Capacity: Lecture – 45; Board Room - 20

Once an all-glass conservatory, this recently updated space is ideal for small parties, lectures, retreats, conferences, or general meetings.  The room’s octagonal shape, vaulted ceiling, and beautiful view of the Courtyard, make it a unique choice for any event.  This space, also known as the Beidler Room, serves as the “Bridal Suite” for wedding ceremonies held on-site.

The Dining Room (485 sq. ft.) - Capacity:  Seated – 40; Cocktail - 60

With a curved bay of windows that looks out to the Courtyard, this historic space is the only one available for rental on the museum’s first floor.  It can be used for a private dinner, small wedding ceremony, or shower.  Adjacent to the parlor, the 1887 Steinway piano can be rented for musical entertainment during your event.

Pricing packages vary depending on the type of event, whether food and/or beverage will be served, which space(s) will be utilized, and the day(s) the event will be held.  We can help with basic event planning and day-of coordination, as well as some set-up and clean-up activities.  Tours of the museum can be coordinated for your guests as well.  And there is a parking lot rental option, too!

Dates in 2011 are filling up quickly – all but four Saturdays between May and October are booked and many couples are starting to look at Fridays and Sundays as wedding-day alternatives.  We even have a few weddings scheduled for dates in 2012.  Twenty-two weddings (so far) coming up this year!

Please contact our Rental Coordinator, Lynne Smaczny, at 312-326-1480 or rentglessnerhouse@sbcglobal.net for more information, to schedule a venue walk-thru, or to book your event.