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Mission
Ten Chimneys Foundation’s Mission
- Preserve and Share the buildings, furnishings, collections, and grounds of a national treasure – Ten Chimneys, the estate created by Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.
- Serve as a continuing resource and powerful inspiration for theatre, the arts, and the art of living.
- Offer public programs consistent with the Lunts’ varied interests and core values, while maintaining the integrity and intimacy of this extraordinary estate.
Ten Chimneys is a National Historic Landmark, a “Save America’s Treasures” project site, and is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. Ten Chimneys is owned by the non-profit 501(C)3 organization Ten Chimneys Foundation, Inc.
Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne are widely considered the greatest acting team in the history of American theatre. The Lunts’ passion for excellence and commitment to the art of live theatre was legendary, even at the beginning of their careers. Summer after summer, the Lunts came to Ten Chimneys to retreat, relax, and rejuvenate. Because the Lunts were so widely loved and respected, “anyone who was anyone” in theatre, arts, and literature wanted to come to Ten Chimneys to be with and work with the Lunts. The estate, almost inevitably, became an important place for artistic creation, discussion, and inspiration. More than just the Lunts’ home, Ten Chimneys was a home for the arts—literally and metaphorically.
Ten Chimneys is a landmark unique among our national treasures. Ten Chimneys’ diverse collections and enchanting décor are comprised of the original pieces hand-picked by the Lunts in the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s. And the magic is undiminished. As guests are welcomed through the Lunts’ remarkable creation, they are surprised and then moved by countless details.
Created with the same humanizing wit and passion for perfection that distinguished their stage performances, Ten Chimneys is the Lunts’ most enduring and tangible artistic legacy. For decades, their idyllic retreat beguiled and inspired the country’s finest actors, writers, designers, directors, and artists. Now, an invitation to Ten Chimneys, once coveted by the nation’s greatest luminaries, is extended to the public.
“Restored to its original highly ornate glory” - The New York Times
“Dazzling … Magnificent … Whimsical” - The Chicago Tribune
“A sort of dream, a vision” - Katharine Hepburn
“If you can only visit one home this year, Ten Chimneys is the obvious choice.” - The Philadelphia Sun
“The property looks as if Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne were just upstairs changing into evening clothes.” - NPR’S All Things Considered
“If you get to go to Ten Chimneys, you must have done something right.” - Carol Channing
“A shrine to two of the most glamorous legends in American Theatre history” - CBS News Sunday Morning
“It’s sort of Dolly Madison meets Salvador Dali meets ‘Hello Dolly.’ It’s everything all at once.” - David Hyde Pierce
“Everyone who loves theatre should make it a mission to visit here.” - Hollywood Reporter
“The most beautiful place on earth” - Julie Harris
“An authentic glimpse of lives in the limelight” - Travel and Leisure Magazine
The Tour of a Lifetime
Almost all of Ten Chimneys’ historic furnishings, hand-painted murals, enchantingly personal décor, and diverse collections are intact and unchanged since the Lunts first assembled them. A living monument to theatre and the arts, Ten Chimneys is overflowing with memorabilia: notes from Laurence Olivier, snapshots of the Lunts with the Queen Mother, and mementos from Helen Hayes and Noël Coward, inscribed first edition books from Edna Ferber and Alexander Woollcott, and remembrances from dozens of other intimates and luminaries. We invite you to add your name to this list of privileged guests and friends. Call our reservation line at (262) 968-4110 to book your visit.
Click here for more information on Tours at Ten Chimneys »
A Home for the Arts
Ten Chimneys has already become an intensely popular attraction for a wide variety of individuals wishing to experience the inspiration of this unique historic site. However, a renaissance at Ten Chimneys is about more than restoring a historic treasure and opening its doors to the public. A diverse menu of programs, developed in collaboration with an impressive list of national advisors, will truly ensure that future generations will benefit from Ten Chimneys’ rich history. Ten Chimneys Foundation supports exciting public programs as well as important specialized programs for theatre, arts, and arts education professionals. Public programs include estate tours, exhibitions, student outreach, workshops, lectures and publications. Programs for professional audiences include master classes for working theatre professionals, teacher training programs, retreats, conferences, internships, and research opportunities.
Click here for more information on Arts Programs at Ten Chimneys »
“Every time I was visiting with the Lunts in Genesee Depot I was in a sort of daze of wonder; the dining room, the table, the china, the silver, the food, the extraordinary care and beauty and taste…a sort of dream, a vision.” - Katharine Hepburn
Alfred Lunt's Cookbook
Alfred Lunt, Broadway’s greatest actor, was also one of its greatest chefs. Decades after his passing, Alfred’s hand-typed recipes pages were found concealed in a hidden library closet. This limited-edition cookbook contains 192 original, never-before-published Alfred Lunt recipes, complemented by vintage photographs of Alfred Lunt, Lynn Fontanne, and their glorious Wisconsin retreat, Ten Chimneys. Proceeds support Ten Chimneys Foundation. 176 beautiful pages.
Only $34.99 + shipping
Call (262) 968-4110 to order
Ten Chimneys News
Ten Chimneys participates in 2008 Museum Day
Jul 21, 2008
Museum Day is celebrated by museums nationwide by offering free admission to Smithsonian readers and visitors to Smithsonian.com. Attendees must present Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day Admission Card to receive free admission on September 27th. The Museum Day Admission Card will be available in the September 2008 issue of Smithsonian magazine …
MoreCelebrate with us on May 23rd
Apr 28, 2008
You are invited to celebrate Wisconsin State TEN CHIMNEYS DAY and the Five Year Anniversary of Ten Chimneys’ Public Opening: FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2008 THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RSVP by leaving a message at (262) 968-4161 ext. 937. 8:30am: Please arrive and park. 9:00am: Join …
MoreLynn Redgrave to be first Master Teacher of Lunt-Fontanne Fellows
Jan 02, 2008
On the heels of a remarkably successful 2007, Ten Chimneys is launching our first national program to serve American theatre. Beloved and deeply-respected actress Lynn Redgrave will teach an intensive multi-day Master Class for ten of the most accomplished and talented regional theatre actors in the country, as part of the inaugural year of the annual Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program.
Take a Look at the Current Issue of Our Newsletter
Dec 05, 2007
You can download a printable PDF version of the full-color 16-page December 2007 Issue of “Cast Notes” before it even goes to print.
MoreWeb Page Under Construction
Nov 09, 2007
Please “pardon our dust” as we revamp sections of our web page. We’ve done quite a lot of work and hope to complete the last few updates soon. Enjoy!
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