Ten Chimneys Foundation

What Ten Chimneys Foundation does

Ten Chimneys Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural organization headquartered in Genesee Depot, Wisconsin, that preserves and operates the National Historic Landmark estate of Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. The foundation serves a multi-stakeholder audience including individual cultural tourists, theater professionals, emerging artists, schools, community theaters, and philanthropic donors. Its programmatic portfolio centers on the Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program, launched in 2009, which hosts resident artists at the estate under the mentorship of rotating Master Teachers drawn from leading American theater institutions. Adjacent Theater Resource Programs extend the foundation's educational content into partnership with national theaters and schools.

Name

Ten Chimneys Foundation

Legal name

Ten Chimneys Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://tenchimneys.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ten Chimneys Foundation is a Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that preserves the National Historic Landmark estate of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, operating estate tours, residencies, and theater education programs for artists, donors, schools, and cultural tourists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic House Museum & Arts Education

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Historical Sites (71212), Museums (712110)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Iconic Architecture & Signature Buildings (Cathedrals, Palaces, Castles) (THAJACAE)

Keywords

• Historic house museum
• Theater arts education
• Cultural heritage preservation
• Fellowship training program
• Estate tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Genesee Depot

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Giving: The foundation relies heavily on charitable contributions from donors, including annual giving at various levels ($50-$10,000+), planned giving through estate planning, donor-advised funds, and workplace giving programs. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with Tax ID# 39-1862290.
2. Estate Tours and Admissions: The foundation generates revenue through paid estate tours. Full Estate Tours are $35 per person and Main House Only Tours are $28 per person. Tour reservations are recommended and can be booked online or by phone.
3. Event Tickets and Programs: Public programs including Conversations at Ten Chimneys, Music in the Drawing Room performances, and Concluding Presentations generate ticket revenue. Ticket pricing ranges from $50 (Silver) to $150 (Premier) depending on the event.
4. Facility Rental: The Lunt-Fontanne Program Center is available for rental for corporate events, wedding receptions, and private parties. The Main Floor Lobby offers 2,500 sq.ft. of event space accommodating 150+ guests standing.
5. Museum Store Sales: The on-site Museum Store sells Ten Chimneys merchandise including cookbooks ($34.99), playing cards ($9.99), virtual tour flip books ($6.50), and gift certificates. Store hours are Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm, closed Mondays.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ten Chimneys Foundation operates the National Historic Landmark estate of Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne as a house museum, offering guided estate tours, an annual Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program for top U.S. regional theater actors, ticketed public arts programs (Conversations, Music in the Drawing Room, Play Readings, Exhibitions, Art of Living), Theater Resource Programs for partner theaters, facility rentals at the Lunt-Fontanne Program Center, and student/educational field-trip programs. Earned revenue from admissions, tickets, rentals, and Museum Store sales is supplemented by charitable donations supporting historic preservation and arts education.

Product overview

Ten Chimneys Foundation is a cultural institution operating a single historic estate property that offers multiple distinct programs and services. The core offerings include: (1) Estate Tours - guided experiences through the National Historic Landmark home of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne; (2) The Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program - an annual weeklong intensive master class for top regional theater actors with renowned Master Teachers; (3) Lunt-Fontanne Program Center Facility Rentals - venue rental for events at the modern program center; (4) Public Programs including Conversations at Ten Chimneys lecture series, Music in the Drawing Room cabaret performances, Play Readings & Workshops, Exhibitions, and Art of Living seminars; (5) Theater Resource Programs - retreat and collaboration spaces for theater organizations; (6) Student and Educational Programs - field trip tours for schools; and (7) Museum Store - retail merchandise. The institution does not operate a unified software platform but provides in-person cultural and educational experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program: A groundbreaking national program bringing together America's top regional theater actors for master classes with world-renowned Master Teachers.
• Ten Chimneys Estate Tours
• Ten Chimneys Museum Store

Products and services

• Estate Tours Guided small-group docent tours of the National Historic Landmark home of Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, with original furnishings and decorative-arts collection presented barrier-free; Full Estate Tour ($35/person) and Main House Only Tour ($28/person).
• Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program An annual weeklong intensive master class and retreat at the Ten Chimneys estate for 8-10 of America's most accomplished regional theater actors, taught by a world-renowned Master Teacher.
• Conversations at Ten Chimneys A public lecture series featuring local and national luminaries connected to theater, the Lunts, or related themes, inspired by conversations that occurred at the Lunts' dining table; tiered ticketed admission ($50 Silver / $75 Gold / $150 Premier).
• Music in the Drawing Room Intimate cabaret performances by nationally renowned artists in the Main House Drawing Room, hosting no more than approximately forty guests per performance; ticketed at the Silver/Gold/Premier levels.
• Play Readings & Workshops Staged play readings without sets or costumes, books in hand, offered to playwrights to gauge audience reaction and to emerging actors to develop their craft; ticketed events.
• Exhibitions Permanent and rotating exhibitions exploring the legacy of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, including a facade of the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, miniature theaters, and curated displays of the Lunts' belongings and theatrical memorabilia.
• Art of Living Seasonal seminars and interpretive experiences exploring the Lunts' approach to design, gardening, hospitality, and creative living at their Ten Chimneys estate.
• Lunt-Fontanne Program Center Facility Rental Venue rental of the Lunt-Fontanne Program Center for corporate events, wedding receptions, and private parties, including a 2,500 sq.ft. Main Floor Lobby accommodating approximately 150 standing guests.
• Museum Store On-site and phone-order retail store selling Ten Chimneys merchandise including Alfred Lunt's Cookbook ($34.99), Ten Chimneys Playing Cards ($9.99), virtual tour flip books ($6.50), and gift certificates; open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.
• Theater Resource Programs Programs inviting U.S. theaters and theater-related organizations to use Ten Chimneys as a retreat, rejuvenation, and collaboration space, including artistic retreats, board retreats, workshops, and conferences used by partners such as Guthrie, Goodman, Steppenwolf, Lincoln Center, Juilliard, and Denver Center.
• Student and Educational Programs Discounted field-trip estate tours for K-12 schools with demonstrated interest in theater, writing, history, architecture, and the arts, delivered in partnership with organizations such as Red Oak Young Writers, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and First Stage Children's Theater.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17 consecutive years of the Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program (2009-2026, excluding pandemic years)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Goodman TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoodman Theatre has held artistic retreats at Ten Chimneys, both attached to specific productions and for board and staff strategic planning purposes. This partnership supports professional development and artistic collaboration.
• Victory Gardens TheatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVictory Gardens Theater has utilized Ten Chimneys for artistic retreats attached to productions. The partnership enables creative development in an inspirational setting.
• Theatre WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheatre Wisconsin, the statewide association of professional theaters, was 'born' at Ten Chimneys. The inaugural planning meeting was held at the estate, and the historic context and inspirational power of Ten Chimneys made a real impact on the positive outcome.
• Chamber TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber Theatre has held board and staff retreats at Ten Chimneys focused on long-range strategic planning.
• Renaissance TheaterworksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenaissance Theaterworks has utilized Ten Chimneys for artistic retreats and strategic planning retreats.
• The League of Chicago TheatrescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe League of Chicago Theatres brought leaders from top Chicago institutions to Ten Chimneys to strategize on strengthening the future of Chicago theater.
• The Chicago Humanities FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Chicago Humanities Festival workshopped and performed 'Noel & Alfred & Lynn' starring Rosemary Harris at Ten Chimneys.
• National Endowment for the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe NEA held its New Career Development Program at Ten Chimneys, a major educational project focusing on the next generations of theater professionals.
• Theater Communications GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTCG held its New Initiatives Program at Ten Chimneys, focusing on developing theater administrators and leaders.
• World Premiere WisconsinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTen Chimneys Foundation proudly sponsored the inaugural festival celebrating new plays and musicals written by Wisconsin playwrights.
• American Conservatory TheatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACT has participated in Theater Resource Programs at Ten Chimneys, representing one of the nation's leading regional theaters.
• The Guthrie TheatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuthrie Theater has utilized Ten Chimneys for artistic retreats and has provided leadership for the theater community through the National Advisory Board.
• JuilliardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJuilliard has participated in Theater Resource Programs and represented the institution's commitment to developing the next generation of theater professionals.
• Lincoln CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLincoln Center has participated in Theater Resource Programs at Ten Chimneys, representing one of the world's leading performing arts centers.
• Steppenwolf Theatre CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteppenwolf Theatre Company has participated in Theater Resource Programs and is represented on the National Advisory Board.
• Denver Center for the Performing ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenver Center has participated in Theater Resource Programs, contributing to the national network of theater organizations engaged with Ten Chimneys.
• Milwaukee Repertory TheatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilwaukee Repertory Theater has been a partner in student educational programs and has participated in Theater Resource Programs. The theater is represented on the National Advisory Board.
• Second CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecond City has participated in Theater Resource Programs, bringing improvisational comedy expertise to the Ten Chimneys community.
• UW-Milwaukee Professional Theatre Training ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPTTP workshopped and performed productions at Ten Chimneys, and leaders gathered for candid discussions about challenges and the future of the program.
• Red Oak Young WritersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in student educational programs, bringing young writers to experience the Ten Chimneys estate and learn about theater history.
• First Stage Children's TheaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in student educational programs offering deeply discounted field trip tours to interested schools.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Frick Collection: The Frick Collection is a historic house museum in New York City preserving the Gilded Age mansion and art collection of Henry Clay Frick. Like Ten Chimneys, it operates a historic residence as a museum with guided tours, public programming, and a focus on the legacy of a single notable figure.
• Mark Twain House & Museum: The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, Connecticut is a National Historic Landmark home of an American cultural icon, preserved as a museum with tours, public programs, and educational offerings. It mirrors Ten Chimneys' model of preserving a famous American's home and reconnecting visitors to that legacy.
• Williamstown Theatre Festival: Williamstown Theatre Festival is a prestigious summer theater program known for developing talent and producing new works. Like Ten Chimneys' Fellowship Program, it serves as a training and development venue for accomplished theater professionals, though in a more production-focused format.
• Folger Shakespeare Library: The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. is a major cultural institution dedicated to Shakespeare and the performing arts, operating a historic building with museum exhibits, research collections, and public programming. Comparable to Ten Chimneys as a heritage-focused performing arts institution.
• Goodspeed Musicals: Goodspeed Musicals is America's premier musical theater organization, operating the historic Goodspeed Opera House. It combines theater heritage preservation with active theater production and training, paralleling Ten Chimneys' blend of historic preservation and theater arts education.
• Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens: Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington, D.C. operates the historic mansion of Marjorie Merriweather Post as a museum with curated furnishings, gardens, and educational programming. It is directly comparable to Ten Chimneys as a single-property historic house museum with immersive visitor experiences.
• Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library: Winterthur is a former du Pont family estate in Delaware operating as a museum with decorative arts collections, gardens, and educational programming. Comparable to Ten Chimneys as a historic estate museum focused on preserving a notable American family's cultural legacy.

Broad incumbents

• National Trust for Historic Preservation: The National Trust for Historic Preservation operates and supports historic properties across the United States, providing funding, advocacy, and expertise. Ten Chimneys operates within the same ecosystem of historic preservation that the Trust champions and supports.
• Sundance Institute: Sundance Institute operates fellowship and laboratory programs for independent artists in theater and film, attracting world-class talent for intensive development retreats. Its fellowship model — selecting top-tier emerging artists for mentorship — parallels the Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program.

Regional players

• Old World Wisconsin: Old World Wisconsin is a large open-air living history museum in Wisconsin that preserves historic structures and operates educational programming. It shares Ten Chimneys' Wisconsin geography and operates within the same regional heritage-tourism market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tenchimneys
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TenChimneys
• Facebookfacebook.com/tenchimneys
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ten-chimneys-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ten Chimneys Foundation