NewCanaanite.com (http://nctest.proxy02.mageenet.net/tag/philip-johnson-glass-house/page/4)
Dear Editor,
The Glass House has asked Town for permission to operate in a way that allows it to fulfill its mission. They want to maintain their structures and grounds, which are constantly in need of attention. They want to offer tours to New Canaan schoolchildren. They want to host VIP events to fund their work. Under current restrictions, none of this is really possible.
To the editor:
Recently the Glass House went to Planning & Zoning to request a modification to its operating permit. As a resident of New Canaan, I strongly support the modification. New Canaan is a town with a rich cultural legacy—and among its richest is its mid-century modern heritage and association with the Harvard Five, one of whom was Philip Johnson. The Glass House draws visitors to New Canaan from all over the world. They range from architects, students, and residents entertaining out-of-town guests to those fulfilling a dream on their bucket list.
Dear Mr. Dinan,
The Glass House is an important asset to New Canaan that attracts many people from all over the country and the world who come to visit and appreciate the beauty of architecture and art on site. These visitors in turn are a revenue generator for our businesses in town that are so vital to this community. I’m fortunate to have been able to appreciate the Glass House from two perspectives, first living in town admiring and visiting the Glass House, and second to work there. It’s a well-run organization of dedicated people whose love of historic preservation fosters so many goals of its parent, The National Trust for Historic Preservation. This includes stewardship and education for preservation projects throughout the country as well as preserving the beauty of the Glass House site.
Dear Editor,
The Glass House by Philip Johnson is the cultural centerpiece of New Canaan, so it seems a shame that its ability to host and welcome residents, and to bring the outside world to New Canaan, is restricted by the town and neighbors to activities that engage no more than 50 people at a time on the property and only 250 people at a time, once a year for their Summer Party. The Glass House sits on a large 49-acre plot of land on Ponus Ridge and includes the Glass House, a guest house and many other structures that wow you as they are revealed when you approach them. The property also includes some of the most sought after art in the world (Warhol, Frank Stella, Michael Heizer). I would like to see the town allow the Glass House to develop a larger program of activities and arts that are not so restricted by the number of people that can attend there at any one time. That way it can be used to bring the community together and infuse the community with other cultural and artist events that can add to the cultural calendar in New Canaan.
Dear Editor,
I write this letter in support of Philip Johnson’s Glass House and its application to modify the Special Operating Permit that regulates the site’s activities. I have had the great privilege of working for the National Trust for Historic Preservation at the Glass House site for the past five years alongside a talented, energetic team dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of this site while honoring the privacy of our residential neighbors. My family has resided in New Canaan since 1994 and I have a keen interest in preserving the extraordinary quality of life here. New Canaan is uniquely rich in examples of modern architecture with some of the most celebrated architects of our time designing and building here. The Philip Johnson Glass House is an icon of American architecture and a national treasure that New Canaanites are fortunate to call our own.