The National Park Service and Indiana Landmarks annual Architecture Open House at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore will be Saturday and Sunday, October 23 and 24, 2010. This year’s open house will feature five homes near Beverly Shores, Indiana from the "Century of Progress" 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.
Indiana Landmarks celebrates their 50th anniversary of historic restorations. This year also marks the 76th anniversary of Century of Progress homes crossing Lake Michigan to come to Indiana. The 1933 Chicago World’s Fair’s "A Century of Progress" theme focused on science and its role in industrial development. The model homes featured revolutionary materials, innovative building methods, modern home appliances, and new construction techniques. The homes were moved by barge and truck to northwest Indiana at the close of the fair, and remained in private ownership until the early 1970’s when they were purchased by the National Park Service for inclusion in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The homes are undergoing rehabilitation with private funds through a partnership between the National Park Service and Indiana Landmarks.
All five Century of Progress homes, located in the park on west Lake Front Drive near the Lake View overlook, will be open to the public for this annual weekend event. Three homes, the Cypress Log Cabin, Florida Tropical House, and the Armco Ferro House are either completely restored or very near completion. Major rehabilitation work continues on the House of Tomorrow and the Wieboldt-Rostone House; tours of these two houses will be limited to the first floor of each building.
Entrance to the buildings is by reservation only, and space is limited. To make a reservation, click on the "Century of Progress Tour" link at:
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
