This iconic cottage, known today to many as “The Teacup Cottage”, was built  in the 1950s as a simple one floor vernacular frame cottage.  In 1958, it was purchased by HELEN TEMPLE LOGAN (1895-1985) of Warren Pennsylvania.  A native of England, she was the widow of Harry A. Logan, Sr. (1881-1957), who had been President of the Warren, PA based United Oil Refining Company.  

 

Mrs. Logan later became a Trustee of Chautauqua Institution (CI) and a major benefactor to the Chautauqua Symphony and the Opera Company.  In 1965, she donated the Logan Dormitory for music students to CI.  

 

Mrs. Logan added a partial second level to the cottage, the porte cochere, and an apartment at the north end of the cottage. 

 

When Helen Logan died in 1985, she left the cottage to her son, HARRY A. LOGAN, JR. (1925-1989), a Trustee of CI and a patron of the arts, who died unexpectedly four years later at age 64.  The cottage then passed to his wife, KAY HARDESTY LOGAN (1936-2016). 

 

An educator, musician, patron and artist herself, in 1991, Kay Logan commissioned nationally known local artist, Maritza Morgan, to create the large Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra themed mural on the exterior of the house. An easel describing the mural is located along Prospect Avenue.  

 

In 2002, Kay added the prominent glass turret, designed by architect and Chautauquan George W. Schnee of Newton Mass to accommodate a new staircase to the upper deck, where she hosted many “foot lifter” parties and musical events.

 

Following in the footsteps of the Logans before her, Kay was a major benefactor to the art and music programs of Chautauqua, including the direct support of artists by purchasing the art collection still housed in and around the cottage.  The outdoor teacup sculpture inspired passersby to name the cottage “The Teacup Cottage” and it has been called that ever since. 

 

Since Kay Logan’s passing at age 80 in 2016, the cottage and the Logan’s art collection have been lovingly maintained by its subsequent owners as beloved, iconic, important and whimsical pieces of Chautauqua.