Onera Foundation

Located at 63 Park Street in New Canaan, the Onera Foundation is a cultural organization dedicated to educating and advocating for the preservation of historic American architecture through art and architecture exhibitions and innovative public programs. The Foundation also supports scholarly research by funding the Onera Prize at Columbia University. Its mission is rooted in the belief that creative programming and new academic research can deepen public understanding of America’s significant architectural heritage.

63 Park Street itself is a storied national landmark. Built in 1836 by Hiram Crissey—carpenter, craftsman, and deacon of the Congregational Church—the Greek Revival home has served many roles over nearly two centuries, including a boarding house and grammar school. From 1924 to 1947, it was the residence of renowned editor Maxwell E. Perkins, who shaped the careers of Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Thomas Wolfe. In 1973, architect Richard Bergmann and his wife, Sandra, restored the then-subdivided structure into their home and office, preserving original woodwork and undertaking extensive structural rehabilitation. Under their stewardship, the property became Connecticut’s first Literary Landmark in 2002 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. The Onera Foundation’s recent renovation preserved its historic character while creating an ideal setting for exhibitions, lectures, and community programs.

The Onera Foundation is free and open to the public most days of the week, including Saturdays, from 12 PM to 5 PM. Visitors are encouraged to check our website for the most up-to-date hours and to reserve a free timed-entry ticket.