Friday, August 15, 2008

Preserving the Past: Part II

It is easy to think of history in terms of what has happened centuries ago, but it’s important to recognize, consider, and preserve our recent past as well. In nearby New Canaan, Connecticut, Philip Johnson designed a Glass House, which was erected in 1949. The house, with its exterior being made entirely of glass, was a marvel of the time. It inspired greater architectural experimentation and talk about modern architecture.

Declared a national historic landmark in 1997, the house was donated to the National Trust for Historic Preservation following Johnson’s death in 2005, and is now open for tours. The house is located on Johnson’s property in New Canaan. Look around the Glass House website, http://www.philipjohnsonglasshouse.org/ for more information about tours and about the ways in which you can support this architectural marvel.