Courtney Skipton Long Appointed Director of Development at The Glass House

NEW CANAAN, CONN. (July 8, 2024) – The Glass House, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, announces the appointment of Courtney Skipton Long, Ph.D., as its new Director of Development. Dr. Long brings over 15 years of experience in universities, art museums, and non-profit fundraising to this role.

Long is a senior development leader with expertise in fundraising, major gifts, member programs, advisory board management, and donor cultivation. A Connecticut native, she most recently served as Director of Development at the Yale Schwarzman Center in New Haven. Dr. Long holds a BA from Mount Holyoke College and an MA and Ph.D. in the history of art and architecture from the University of Pittsburgh. Her expertise lies in the intersection of art and science in the 19th century. She has curated exhibitions, written articles, and worked in curatorial departments for prestigious institutions including the Bruce Museum, The Huntington, and Yale Center for British Art.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the dynamic team stewarding The Glass House. This landmark site stands at an exciting moment in its remarkable history, and I look forward to partnering with our supportive community to help preserve it for the next 75 years and beyond,” said Dr. Long.

In her previous role as Associate Director for Membership Programs at Yale University Art Gallery, Dr. Long initiated innovative donor opportunities, including a free membership program and a Gallery Patrons group. Most recently, she served as the inaugural Director of Development for the Yale Schwarzman Center.

At The Glass House, Dr. Long will lead fundraising efforts to support operations, exhibitions, programs, and staffing. She will develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to maximize individual, corporate, foundation, and government fundraising. A key focus will be the creation and completion of a $1 million capital fund for the restoration of the Pavilion. Dr. Long’s appointment underscores The Glass House’s commitment to strengthening its development efforts.

The Glass House, built between 1949 and 1995 by architect Philip Johnson, is a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation located in New Canaan, CT. The pastoral 49-acre landscape comprises fourteen structures, including the Glass House (1949), and features a permanent collection of art and design, along with temporary exhibitions and public programs. The campus serves as a catalyst for the preservation and interpretation of modern architecture, art, and design and a canvas for inspiration and experimentation. The tour season runs from April through December. Private tours are available throughout the year.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately funded nonprofit organization that works to save America’s historic places to enrich our future, reimagining historic sites for the 21st century. The guiding principle of this initiative is that historic sites must be dynamic, relevant, and evolving to foster an understanding of history and culture that is critical, sensory, and layered.