The Evolution of the Grey House

We have many beautiful spaces here at St. Luke’s School but few are as unique as the Grey House. Sitting across from the Class of 2015 Field and tucked away on your left when you enter the front gates, the Grey House is currently home to two community spaces. But did you know that it was previously home to the Art Department, and before that, it was a personal residence? 

St. Luke’s Past Trustee Mike O’Hearn hired former St. Luke’s student Augustus Kellogg to design 389 North Wilton Road as his home, complete with a greenhouse, deck, and even a pool. Our very own Jen Pokorney, Middle School History Teacher, spent a year watching the house while the O’Hearn family was away on vacation in Montana. She said you felt connected to nature whether you were inside or outside and described the space as “a funky cool house with a wood burning stove and a curl around 70's style couch in the main room.” 

In 1999, St. Luke’s launched a Building Campaign for a “Fine Art and Photography Center.” The Campaign’s first two phases raised $5.5 million, allowing the School to purchase the home from the O’Hearn family. Once renovated, the facility offered classes in studio art, including photography, ceramics, printmaking, and computer graphics.

Though no longer a personal residence, the Fine Art and Photography Center kept its “homey” feel – even the pool remained, and many faculty children learned to swim there thanks to Emil Bucci! Eventually, the Center came to be known as the “Art House.” Art Department faculty members who worked there recalled that it was a long trek to the main building in the winter, but it was nice to have open space that felt connected to nature and encouraged artistic collaboration. Upper School Art Teacher Jeorge Yankura commented, “the building felt like a home, and being on our own felt very special.” 

Launched in 2007, the St. Luke’s Momentum Campaign paved the way for new construction that eventually relocated the Art Department to its beautiful, present-day location within the main building, and the Art House was primarily utilized for storage by our maintenance team.

Beginning in 2021, renovations began once more, and the Art House received new grey siding, leading to the nickname “Grey House.” Outside, you’ll now find the Class of 2023 Together Terrace, this year’s Senior Gift. The Terrace has a fire pit for the winter, a calming water feature for warmer weather, and a sweeping view of the ravine that backs up to our campus. Inside, you’ll find the Class of 2022 Community Room, last year’s Senior Gift. This cozy and tastefully decorated space was dedicated at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. In a short amount of time, the Grey House has already hosted a variety of events, such as Faculty Craft Night, the Faculty Holiday Party, Class Coffees, and other Parents’ Association meetings, to name a few! 

We are grateful that this unique space continues to connect our community to nature and each other. Do you have fond memories of the O’Hearn residence, Fine Art and Photography Center, Art House, or Grey House? We’d love to hear from you! Email alumni@stlukesct.org with your stories.