Inside New Canaan’s the Glass House

By Kirsten Reoch, Glass House’s Fourth Executive Director

Since becoming Executive Director of The Glass House, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in late 2023, my central goal has been to expand our audience through new educational and curatorial programs and to deepen our community engagement. We are working to open our doors to new visitors, grow our public programs, and serve as a vocal advocate for modernist architecture and its preservation. 

My professional background has focused on the restoration of historic buildings and sites for artistic and cultural programming, including 25 years working on the Park Avenue Armory on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It is not enough to have a static house museum. That does not inspire returning visitors and community investment. The activation of the site with rotating exhibitions, performances, lectures, receptions, educational programs and artist talks is vital to the long-term success of The Glass House. 

When we speak of community, we mean it in many forms: our local neighbors in New Canaan and Fairfield County; the global modernist architecture and design community; and those who seek out rich cultural, artistic and educational experiences. Since its founding in 1949, The Glass House has been a site of groundbreaking architecture, innovative art and spirited conversation — and we are committed to ensuring that legacy continues to be at the heart of everything we do. 

Key initiatives: 

• Expanded Access: We added additional self-guided tour slots on Sundays — one of our most popular days — to accommodate more visitors and offer greater flexibility. We are also working to develop a family tour for this fall, which would allow groups with children 5+ to visit The Glass House. (We are currently limited to age 10+). And we are in the process of developing new thematic tours and programs for those most interested in the landscape and natural resources, the fine art collection, or the LGBTQ+ history of this site. 
• Capital Improvements – Our expanded access also applies to features on our site. In 2024 we completed the restoration of the 1949 Brick House and reopened this historic landmark after it was closed 15 years ago. It is now featured on every tour. Our next restoration will improve access to the pond pavilion and the lower landscape area and includes repaving of all paths. 
• Educational Outreach: We created a new role, Director of Interpretation and Education, to lead the development of a robust school visitation program. Our new director is actively building relationships with area middle and high schools to integrate The Glass House into their curricula. We’re also looking to design age-appropriate materials and tours aligned with Connecticut and New York State standards. 
• Membership: We have launched a new membership and patrons program to connect more with our supporters and help them get more out of our museum
• Cultural Programs: We’ve inaugurated an annual fall dinner and conversation with a leading architect, held in our Painting Gallery. The series launched in 2024 with Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban to celebrate, Shigeru Ban: The Paper Log House installed at the site for the season. 

We’ve introduced a new annual concert series, spotlighting architectural gems beyond our own campus and raising funds for their preservation. Our inaugural concert—a performance of Philip Glass’s Études — was held at the First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, a 1958 masterpiece by Wallace K. Harrison. Planning is already underway for our 2025 event we will soon announce.

• Promoting Wider Awareness and Visitation: Dynamic communications continues to broaden our audience through a range of strategic initiatives and cultural partnerships. 
  Recent collaborations include joining the CT Art Trail, Archtober AIA, Oct 4 Design, Bloomberg Connects, Pollinator Pathway, as well as deepening engagement with CT Tourism and preservation organizations. 
• Strategic partnerships: We are expanding our reach through creative brand partnerships, compelling social media storytelling, and curated press events. A recent example includes a press day held in partnership with the Aldrich Museum, offering an immersive experience of the site to share with their audiences. 

To further elevate The Glass House on both national and international stages, we are actively collaborating with architectural heritage organizations and international press including recent features in C20, D2Dagens Naeringsliv Magazine, Dezeen, DSCENE, Muse, Le Monde, Financial Times HTPI, Ark Journal, AD Europe, Domus and more. Our team is also extending our presence by participating in conferences and presentations. In 2025 alone, we will be presenting at events in Denmark, Mexico, California, Wisconsin and New Hampshire. 

• Inclusive Membership: Our new Director of Development, Courtney Long, has launched a newly expanded membership program making it easier for everyone to participate. Previously limited and by invitation, membership is now open to all, starting at just $75. Benefits include access to special programs, discounts, and behind-the-scenes tours, especially rewarding for residents who can attend frequently and engage deeply with our offerings. 
  New Canaan’s postwar legacy of modernist residential architecture is unique and significant. The Harvard Five architects — Philip Johnson, Marcel Breuer, Eliot Noyes, John Johansen and Landis Gores — pioneered the modernist architectural revolution here. They were later joined by other visionary figures, including Frank Lloyd Wright. More than 90 modernist homes remain in the area today. This is a remarkable legacy that every New Canaanite can take pride in. At The Glass House, we’re committed to celebrating and preserving this extraordinary heritage. We invite our visitors not only to tour our 49-acre site — with its celebrated buildings, pavilions, sculpture trails and art galleries — but also to discover the broader story of modernism that lives in and around New Canaan. 

Last year, we had our highest visitation to date with the opening of the Brick House, and we want to build on this momentum and expand our returning visitors. Our 2024 exhibition is Barbara Kasten: Structure, Light, Land. We are looking forward to celebrating the 100^th birthday of Robert Rauschenberg next year with the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation Centennial exhibition program.

Year ahead

And then 2026 will be a year of celebration as we reach the 20^th year since opening as a Museum of the National Trust in 2007. For this celebration, we will unveil the restored Pond Pavilion and Lower Landscape along with the expanded programs listed above. 

The goal is for the local community to come visit with friends and family, as every season brings a new beautiful perspective to the site. And each year brings new seasonal exhibitions, such as this year’s Barbara Kasten: Structure, Light, Land on view throughout the site. 

The site is open from April 15 to December 15, Thursday-Monday. Advanced tickets are recommended.

For more information on The Glass House, please visit theglasshouse.org.

The Glass House’s new faces: Kirsten Reoch, Executive Director and Courtney Long, Director of Development.