1933 World's Fair Century of Progress Homes [Suggest Edits]

Description

Over 80 years of wind, sand, and surf have battered the five World's Fair houses located along Lake Front Drive in Beverly Shores, but their uniqueness has weathered the elements. With the theme of a Century of Progress, the houses were built for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair to demonstrate modern architectural design, experimental materials, and new technologies such as central air conditioning and dishwashers.

Four of the houses were brought to the dunes by barge in 1935 by real estate developer Robert Bartlett. The Cypress Log Cabin was dismantled at the fair and moved by truck. Bartlett hoped that the high profile houses would entice buyers to his new resort community of Beverly Shores. Today the houses are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The houses have been leased to the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. Through this organization, private individuals or families have leased the homes and are rehabilitating them. Please respect these agreements by not trespassing on the properties.

On the Road: There is on-street parallel parking in front of the houses. Do not approach the homes. Stay on the road. Please be respectful. Pictures are allowed.

Annual Architecture Tour Featuring The Century of Progress Homes

Join National Park Service rangers at Indiana Dunes National Park for a tour of five historic homes from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. These tours offered by reservation only one day each in September. Tickets will go on sales in early August at www. indianalandmarks.org. Each tour lasts two hours and includes an inside look at the Cypress Log Cabin, the House of Tomorrow, Florida Tropical, Armco Ferro and the Wieboldt-Rostone houses. Your reservation includes a shuttle bus from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and back.

The houses, in keeping with the fair's "Century of Progress" theme, featured innovative building materials, modern home appliances, and new construction techniques. Later moved to northwest Indiana to promote a new housing community, these houses were included in the national lakeshore in the early 1970's. Today the homes are undergoing rehabilitation with private funds through a partnership with Indiana Landmarks.

All tours begin at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center. There is no off-site parking and there will be no walk-up tours available. A narrated shuttle ride from the visitor center to the site is included in your tour fee. Please follow the on-line reservation instructions carefully and be sure to print out your reservation ticket.

Gem Type: Historic Site