NEW CANAAN, Conn.—The Philip Johnson Glass House opened to the public for the first time in its more-than- 50-year history, with its Inaugural Gala Picnic on June 23 reproducing an opulent party that took place on the property four decades ago. The historic event included a performance by the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, restaging the performance it presented on the grounds in 1967.

A host of legendary art-world figures were there to reminisce, including Jasper Johns and Frank Stella.

Philip Dempsey, an art dealer and Johnson’s grandnephew, attended, as did artist Frances Palmer, artist/designer Christophe de Menil, and architectural photography legend Julius Shulman.

We also spotted Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum director Lisa Dennison, along with Port Draper, the property’s engineer and maintenance expert since 1968; designer Yves Behar; Museum of Modern Art president emerita Agnes Gund; curator and art advisor Helen Klisser; Philip Johnson Glass House executive director Christy MacLear; architect Ron Radziner; and author and Getty Research Institute director Wim de Wit.