In celebration of the centennial of Finnish independence, the Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research has reinvigorated and expanded tours of the landmark structure. "Saarinen Home: Living and Working with Cranbrook's First Family of Design", a three-month installation, expands on the life and work of the remarkable Saarinen family, presenting drawings, letters, and family photographs from the Cranbrook Archives and brings together treasures designed for use in their home, and for projects around the country.
While continuing to present the house as a total work of art, new stories, sounds, and objects enrich the space and add insight as to how the family lived, entertained, and worked in their home. Visitors will see silver, glass, and ceramics selected or designed by the Saarinens for Cranbrook sparkling on the dining room table, study Loja’s intricate weaving on test pieces she made on her hand loom in the library, sit in a reproduction womb chair—even inspect the steamer trunks they used to travel back and forth to Europe.
Saarinen House’s Studio, where the family worked and discussed projects, has been transformed into a showcase of work produced by the entire family between their arrival at Cranbrook in 1925 to Eliel’s death in 1950. Sketches, plans, presentation drawings of their furniture and buildings, as well as period books, articles, and catalogues by or about the family, are arranged on drafting tables in the Studio for guests to explore. Weavings by Studio Loja Saarinen, ceramics and illustrations by daughter-in-law Lilly Swann Saarinen, dresses and tableware by Pipsan Saarinen Swanson, and furniture by Eliel, Eero, and J. Robert Swanson also are on display.
TOUR SCHEDULE
Visitors will be able to experience this special installation on regularly scheduled public tours May 5 through July 30, Fridays and Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 1pm and 3pm.
In August 2017, Saarinen House will be closed for restoration. The House will reopen to the public in September.
TOUR FEES
Cranbrook Art Museum ArtMembers: Free
Adults: $15
Seniors (65 and older): $13
Studends with ID: $11
RESERVATIONS
Please call 248.645.3320 or email artmuseum@cranbrook.edu to make a reservation. All tours start at the Cranbrook Art Museum, where tickets may also be purchased on the day of the tour.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Check-in
All tours of Saarinen House depart from the front desk of Cranbrook Art Museum.
Tour Groups
Tours are limited to 12 guests.
Tour Length
The tours are approximately 75 minutes in length and include stairs and two ten-minute walks on Cranbrook’s campus. Tours take place rain or shine.
Shoes
To protect the carpeting and flooring in Saarinen House, you will be asked to remove your shoes and wear booties that will be provided.
Children
For the safety and comfort of all visitors, children younger than eight years old, including infants and toddlers, are not permitted on this tour.
Accessibility
Due to the historical status and intimate nature of the house, many rooms and passageways are very narrow and therefore the house is not wheelchair accessible. All tours are walking tours and guests must be able to walk and stand throughout most of the tour. There are no places to sit down in the house itself.
Coats and Bags
Only small wallets and handheld cameras are permitted on the tours. Please leave all backpacks, purses, camera bags, camera equipment and other cumbersome items in vehicles. This policy was created for the security and protection of Saarinen House and its collection of fine and decorative art.
Restrooms
There are no public restroom facilities at the house itself; please use the facilities at Cranbrook Art Museum before beginning your tour.
PRIVATE TOURS
A limited number of Private Tours of Saarinen House are available May through October, with at least three weeks advance notice.
*There is a Minimum Private Tour Group Fee of $100
Cranbrook Art Museum ArtMembers: $15
Adults and Seniors: $20
Students with ID: $15
To inquire about the availability of a Private Tour, please call 248.645.3307 or email center@cranbrook.edu.