Continuing its 125th anniversary celebration, the Glessner House Museum presented The Glessners and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on 16 January. Executive Director and Curator William Tyre spoke about the relationship between the Glessner family and the Orchestra and its first two music directors, Theodore Thomas and Frederick Stock.

Attendees had the opportunity to view the Glessner Doll Collection, on loan from the CSO’s Rosenthal Archives. On 1 January 1913, Frances Glessner Lee presented her mother with a unique and memorable birthday gift: a meticulously crafted model of the members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. On 17 January, the Glessners welcomed the entire orchestra to their home for dinner and the chance to view the model.

To commemorate the centennial of that event, the Glessner Doll Orchestra will be on exhibit at the Glessner House Museum through Sunday, 24 February 2013. You can see the miniatures on the Rosenthal Archives blog and in an ABC7 Chicago story. Even if you’re not interested in miniature dolls, you should check out the video for the interview with Frank Villella, Archivist at the Rosenthal Archives!