Ten Chimneys Foundation

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Ten Chimneys Foundation

(Nonprofit Organization) Ten Chimneys is a landmark unique among our national treasures. And the magic is undiminished.

Ten Chimneys, the National Historic Landmark estate created by theatre legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, is open to the public as a world-class house museum and national resource for theatre, arts, and arts education. Ten Chimneys’ diverse collections and enchanting décor are comprised of the original pieces hand-picked by the Lunts in the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s. As guests are welcomed through the Lunts’ remarkable creation, they are surprised and then moved by countless details.

08/31/2026

Some stories wait patiently to be told again.

This October, Ten Chimneys will help bring one such story back into the spotlight with a rare screening of a documentary unseen since its New York premiere.

It is just one of several exciting programs we are preparing for the autumn season.

We aren't quite ready to share everything yet, but if you love theater, remarkable artists, and unexpected discoveries, you'll want to keep an eye on Ten Chimneys in the weeks ahead.

The curtain will rise soon.

So Stay Tuned!

08/28/2026

Thirsting for Knowledge Thursday

Can you guess what this is? AND bonus points if you know who the famous Wisconsin artist is!

This object was the a main focal point in one of the buildings at Ten Chimneys. Take your best guess in the comments below before we reveal the answer tomorrow!

08/26/2026

Happy International Dog Day!

At Ten Chimneys, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne shared their home with many beloved dogs over the years. Like their famous owners, some even enjoyed a taste of the theatrical life!

There were the dachshunds Elsa and Rudolph, who traveled with the Lunts to New York and on tour. A Doberman Pinscher named Nebuchadnezzar kept watch at Ten Chimneys, while Winnie, a black poodle, became one of Lynn Fontanne's most cherished companions in her later years.

Perhaps the most theatrical of all was Lisa, who famously chased and killed a very large mouse at her post during a performance of O Mistress Mine. In recognition of her heroic contribution to the production, she was decorated with a Blue Ribbon of Merit!

Whether traveling with the Lunts, appearing backstage, or simply enjoying life at Ten Chimneys, these four-legged friends brought joy, companionship, and plenty of memorable stories to the Lunts' remarkable lives.

In honor of International Dog Day, we'd love to hear about a special dog in your life. Share a photo or memory in the comments!

08/25/2026

August at Ten Chimneys

There is something especially restorative about Ten Chimneys in August.

As sunlight filters through the canopy of mature trees, illuminating hillsides, gardens, and hidden corners of the estate, the grounds seem to invite visitors to slow down and savor the season. Before the routines of September return and the pace of autumn begins, take time to wander, reflect, and enjoy the beauty that inspired Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne for over five decades.

“People come here when they’re exhausted. Once when she was appearing in Chicago, Gwen Verdon slept for 16 hours and we [Alfred and I] began to worry. Sam Behrman said it was the most tranquilizing place he had ever been.” ~Lynn referring to Ten Chimneys

Whether you're seeking a peaceful afternoon, a connection to theater history, art, or architecture, or just simply a chance to recharge, August is one of the most beautiful times to experience Ten Chimneys.

What helps you feel renewed before the season changes?

08/24/2026

From Garden to Pantry at Ten Chimneys!

As gardens across Wisconsin reach their peak harvest, many families are preserving the flavors of summer for the months ahead. It's a tradition that Alfred Lunt would have understood well.

Away from the bright lights of Broadway, Alfred found great joy in the fields, gardens, and orchards of Ten Chimneys. Farming was more than a hobby. He took pride in cultivating the land, growing vegetables, and tending the estate's abundant harvests. Photographs like this one, showing Alfred with baskets overflowing with tomatoes, capture a side of him that friends and visitors knew well: hardworking, practical, and happiest with his hands in the soil.

If your garden is producing more tomatoes than you can eat, here is a simple way to preserve summer's bounty according to Alfred.

There's something deeply satisfying about opening a jar of homegrown tomatoes in the middle of winter and remembering the warmth of August. We like to think Alfred felt the same way as he gathered the harvest at Ten Chimneys.

Do you preserve any of your garden harvest? We'd love to hear your favorite canning or preserving tradition in the comments!

08/21/2026

Thirsting for Knowledge Thursday!

Before there were Broadway influencers like Jordan Fisher, Todrick Hall and JJ Niemann, there was Alexander Woollcott.

Long before Instagram and TikTok, Woollcott was helping audiences discover what was worth seeing, discussing, and celebrating. A journalist, critic, radio personality, and close friend of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, he was one of the most influential cultural voices of the 1920s and 1930s.

The platforms have changed. The power of a trusted voice to connect audiences with great theater hasn't.

08/15/2026

Happy National Relaxation Day!

For Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, summers at Ten Chimneys offered a welcome pause from the demands of the theater season. Whether relaxing by the pool, enjoying the grounds, or spending a quiet afternoon outdoors, they understood the value of stepping away to recharge.

That spirit continues today.

Known as the "summer home of the American theater," Ten Chimneys has long been a place where artists can relax, rejuvenate, and find creative inspiration. Each summer since 2009, accomplished actors from across the country gather here through the Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program, spending a week immersed in artistic renewal.

From peaceful gardens and winding paths to meaningful conversations and creative discovery, Ten Chimneys remains a place where both artists and visitors can slow down, reconnect, and be inspired. After all, some of the best creative work begins with a moment of rest.

How are you celebrating National Relaxation Day?

08/14/2026

Thirsting for Knowledge Thursday!

Tuesday Trivia Answer: The Lunt-Fontanne Master Teacher who will be sharing the stage with Danielle Brooks, Ayo Edebiri, and Jin Ha in the upcoming You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown is David Hyde Pierce!

A Tony Award-winning stage and screen actor, David Hyde Pierce is beloved for his wit, impeccable comic timing, and acclaimed performances on Broadway and television.

Danielle Brooks earned a Tony Award nomination for her Broadway debut in The Color Purple and became widely known for her role as Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson in Orange Is the New Black. Her powerful performances continue to shine across stage and screen.

Ayo Edebiri is an Emmy Award-winning actress, writer, and comedian whose breakout role as Sydney Adamu in The Bear has made her one of the most exciting talents of her generation. Her sharp intelligence and versatility have quickly established her as a standout voice in entertainment.

Jin Ha is a celebrated stage and screen actor known for his performances in Pachinko and on Broadway as Aaron Burr in Hamilton. His compelling presence and range have earned him recognition as one of today's most dynamic performers.

What role has been your favorite from David Hyde Pierce, Danielle Brooks, Ayo Edebiri, or Jin Ha?

08/12/2026

Happy Birthday, Alfred Lunt!

Today we're raising a glass, champagne of course, to celebrate the birthday of Alfred Lunt, one of America's greatest stage actors and one-half of the legendary Lunt and Fontanne.

Though Alfred would probably prefer we skip the fuss and get on with a good conversation, a garden stroll, or an evening on the patio, we couldn't let the day pass without honoring the wit, charm, and artistry that helped make Ten Chimneys such a magical place.

From Broadway triumphs to quiet moments on the estate he loved with Lynn Fontanne, Alfred's spirit still echoes through every room, garden path, and gathering here at Ten Chimneys.

Join us in wishing Alfred a very happy birthday by sharing your favorite Lunt & Fontanne memory, role, or Ten Chimneys experience in the comments!

Happy Birthday, Alfred. The curtain may have fallen, but your legacy continues to take center stage

08/12/2026

A Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program Master Teacher is heading back to the New York stage in February 2027, taking on one of the most recognizable characters in American popular culture.

Can you guess who it is?

Hint #1: He won multiple Emmy Awards for a role on Frasier. Hint #2: He'll star as Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown next February.

Address

S43W31575 Depot Road
Genesee Depot, WI
53127

Website

http://www.tenchimneys.org/

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