New Canaan There & Then: Philip Johnson and Country Living in New Canaan

By Nick Williams, Board Governor, New Canaan Museum and Historical Society | April 23, 2026

‘New Canaan There & Then’ is sponsored by Brown Harris Stevens Realtors Bettina Hegel, Joanne Santulli and Dawn Sterner.
Philip Cortelyou Johnson had a mischievous, even wicked sense of humor. He once referred to Frank Lloyd Wright, his sometimes friend and forever rival, as “the greatest architect of the 19th century.”

Did You Hear … ?

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Man, 74, Charged in Theft of Eyeglasses

Police last week arrested a 74-year-old Stamford man in connection with the theft of eyeglasses. (more…)
‘That Just Wasn’t Honest’: Selectmen Call for Full Accounting of Delayed Waveny Elevator Project

Saying delays and cost overruns on the Waveny House elevator project are unacceptable, members of the Board of Selectmen this week called for more transparency from Public Works officials, a specific number for how much it has already cost and regular updates on the widely anticipated installation. (more…)
D.A.R. Plants Cherry Trees at Lakeview Cemetery on Earth Day

Representatives from Lakeview Cemetery, the New Canaan Department of Public Works and the Hannah Benedict Carter Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution gathered outside the cemetery’s Main Street entrance on Wednesday morning to plant a pair of cherry trees on Earth Day.
Letters to the Editor

NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letters.
‘May Fair’ Is Coming May 8-9 [Q&A]

One of New Canaan’s best-loved community events, May Fair at St.
New Canaan Man, 36, Charged with Breach of Peace

Police last week arrested a 36-year-old Elm Street man and charged him with second-degree breach of peace.
Ivan Zoltan Szanto, 100

Ivan Zoltan Szanto, a resident of The Inn in New Canaan, passed away April 19th. (more…)
Letter to the Editor

NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter.
‘The Art of the Clash’ Book Party Set for Thursday at Carriage Barn [Q&A]

The Carriage Barn Arts Center on Thursday evening is hosting a book party for New Canaan-based interiors and textile designer Sophie von Oertzen Williamson (register here). Her book, “The Art of the Clash: A Manifesto Against Mundane Design,” was published last week.
Town Approves $27,000 Contract for Playground Repairs at Kiwanis

The Board of Selectmen at its most recent meeting approved a $27,000 contract with a Mamaroneck, N.Y.-based company to repair playground equipment at an Old Norwalk Road park.
Police: TikTok Posts Directed at NCHS Originated Out-of-State; FBI Joins Investigation [UPDATED]

[Note: This article has been updated with a press release from New Canaan Police and a Board of Education statement.] Police said Monday afternoon that concerning TikTok posts directed at New Canaan High School originated out-of-state.
‘Let’s Talk, New Canaan’ Set for May 16 [Q&A]

Concerned that divisive national politics are infiltrating New Canaan, community leaders including local clergy are calling for residents to work toward a clearer, fuller understanding of each other. On the morning of Saturday, May 16, a new effort in town—a free workshop titled ‘Let’s Talk, New Canaan: A Community Conversation Across Political Differences’—will launch at Lapham Center (participation is limited, register here).
Elevator at Waveny House Now Projected for Late-Summer Use

Though the town is trying to make the work site of a new elevator going in at Waveny House as inconspicuous as possible, the apparatus itself won’t be ready for use until late-summer, several months into the wedding season, according to new projections.
Clearview Lane Colonial Sells for $3.7 Million

The following property transfer(s) were recorded recently in the Town Clerk’s office.
Did You Hear … ?

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What You’re Saying …

“Agree with Ben. Chainsaws fall in the same category as blowers. Mowers are similar with bigger engines and are noisier.…”
— Avinash Phillips on Letter to the Editor
“Nick, for an M&A lawyer you’re a pretty darned good writer. Thanks for this addition to your fine string…”
— John Clarke on New Canaan There & Then: Philip Johnson and Country Living in New Canaan
“Thank you John. Chainsaws are basically the same 2-stroke engines as in a leaf blower. Generators, and backhoes…”
— Ben Ognibene on Letter to the Editor
“Great story Nick! Informative, historical, evocative and unique to New Canaan. Always enjoying Friday's There & Then - thanks.”
— Tom Reynolds on New Canaan There & Then: Philip Johnson and Country Living in New Canaan
“$4M for an elevator is ludicrous. Just because it is on budget, doesn't make it right. No one in their…”
— Avinash Phillips on ‘That Just Wasn’t Honest’: Selectmen Call for Full Accounting of Delayed Waveny Elevator Project
“Irene, Over 10 years ago during a community coffee I asked why our 5-person Recreation Department could not…”
— Betty J. Lovastik on ‘That Just Wasn’t Honest’: Selectmen Call for Full Accounting of Delayed Waveny Elevator Project
“I’d be interested to know what legal counsel reviewed and signed off on the town’s contract with the manufacturer and…”
— Irene Hendricks on ‘That Just Wasn’t Honest’: Selectmen Call for Full Accounting of Delayed Waveny Elevator Project
“He’s a local Stamford guy who was handed over a slew of slum-like apartments to manage from Daddy and now…”
— Marie Colon on ‘A Fundamental Mismatch’: Neighbors Voice Concerns About Proposed Parade Hill Road Development
“The recent project he built was on Hope Street Stamford in Springdale across from the Twin Rinks where he…”
— Marie Colon on ‘A Fundamental Mismatch’: Neighbors Voice Concerns About Proposed Parade Hill Road Development
“Roy you have been on top of this from day one. What good is an audit committee…”
— Richard P Vachula on ‘That Just Wasn’t Honest’: Selectmen Call for Full Accounting of Delayed Waveny Elevator Project
“Ben, gas leaf blowers are far noisier and more polluting than other lawn equipment, generators, backhoes etc. Chainsaws are…”
— John Seel on Letter to the Editor
“Seems grossly inconsistent when the effort is focused on one particular machine that produces the same amount of noise and…”
— Ben Ognibene on Letter to the Editor
“Not to drag this out, but: 1) Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk and Westport have enacted leaf blower restrictions.…”
— John Seel on Letter to the Editor
“Honesty? Let's not go there. These are the same procurement issues that have plagued the Town for decades. Inherited doosies!…”
— Roy A Abramowitz CPA on ‘That Just Wasn’t Honest’: Selectmen Call for Full Accounting of Delayed Waveny Elevator Project
“WOW! Thank you, Marsha. I will send you may email right now.”
— Lillian Toll on Report: ‘Mouse Infestation’ at Animal Shelter; No Fire Alarms, Smoke Detectors or Security Cameras at Facility
“Thank you, Toddy, for your understanding of this long-neglected responsibility of our Town. You ask, "What does it say…”
— Lillian Toll on Report: ‘Mouse Infestation’ at Animal Shelter; No Fire Alarms, Smoke Detectors or Security Cameras at Facility
“I agree! Scientists advocate for collecting food scraps and turning them into compost as a major solution to climate change.…”
— Julie Smith on Letters to the Editor
“Local retailers: is there a possibility for a Short term, (e.g., 30 min's or 1 hr) free parking policy that…”
— Erik Scott on Letters to the Editor
“Mike, That’s an iconic photo! How unprofessional two workers holding a ladder while one using the “historic newel post”…somehow…..work?…”
— Craig Hunt on ‘That Just Wasn’t Honest’: Selectmen Call for Full Accounting of Delayed Waveny Elevator Project

Events

Sun 26

Tang Elegance and Delight: Chinese Dance and Calligraphy

April 26 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Mon 27

An Evening with Author Colm Tóibín

April 27 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Tue 28

Beloved Italian Grandmother and Social Media Star Nonna Gracie Presents Her Cookbook

April 28 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm