At a time when architectural styles were in transition from the revival styles of most Chestnut Hill homes and from the mid-century take on modernism, three very different modern houses in Chestnut Hill were designed for three notable women from three very different architects.

During this illustrated lecture, Professor Witold Rybczynski will discuss and compare three Chestnut Hill homes well-known to those interested in modern architecture – the Vanna Venturi House, the Margaret Esherick House, and the Dorothy Shipley White House – as seen through the lens of their architects’ intentions. Rybczynski first visited Chestnut Hill as a student in 1965 – on a field trip from Canada to see important American architecture, including visiting the newly-built Esherick House. He lived with his wife, Shirley, in Chestnut Hill for almost 30 years after his 1993 appointment as the Martin and Margy Meyerson Professor of Urbanism at the University of Pennsylvania. Copies of his newly released book: “A Story of Architecture,” will be available for purchase during a book signing after the lecture.

During this illustrated lecture, Professor Witold Rybczynski will discuss and compare three Chestnut Hill homes well-known to those interested in modern architecture – the Vanna Venturi House, the Margaret Esherick House, and the Dorothy Shipley White House – as seen through the lens of their architects’ intentions. Rybczynski first visited Chestnut Hill as a student in 1965 – on a field trip from Canada to see important American architecture, including visiting the newly-built Esherick House. He lived in Chestnut Hill for almost 30 years after his 1993 appointment as the Martin and Margy Meyerson Professor of Urbanism at the University of Pennsylvania. Copies of his newly released book: “A Story of Architecture,” will be available for purchase during a book signing after the lecture.

REGISTER HERE – https://chconservancy.app.neoncrm.com/eventReg.jsp?event=89&
CH Conservancy Member Event Admission $15.00 
Docomomo Member Event Admission $15.00 
Non-Member Event Admission $25.00

In addition to our generous sponsors and supportive businesses, the Discovering Chestnut Hill Tour and Lecture Series is sponsored by John B. Ward & Co. Arborists.