1933 World's Fair House of Tomorrow
The House of Tomorrow was one of five homes showcased at the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago, themed "A Century of Progress," to demonstrate new building techniques and products as well as portray what a modern home would look and operate like in the future. After the Fair ended the homes where shipped by barge, by Robert Bartlett, to Indiana to rest in what is now Beverly Shores, an area that was to become a lakeside resort-type area. The House of Tomorrow...was the creation of Chicago architects George and William Keck. This three-story, 12-sided structure of steel contained two large garages, one for a car and one for the airplane that the World's Fair optimists assumed every family would soon have. Originally this wedding cake style home had large panels of glass for walls. These have since been replaced by smaller windows which can be opened. The House of Tomorrow had central air conditioning, electric garage door openers, lights that could be adjusted to dim, and a dishwasher: all very modern technologies for 1933. (Duneland Chamber of Commerce) For nearly 80 years the homes have endured the harsh elements of the Lake Michigan shoreline, yet they have held true to the original idea of modernism and still can be seen as such today. The homes are operated within a Historic Leasing Program, as Beverly Shores is located within the Indiana National Dunes Lakeshore. The homes are leased to persons that are familiar with historic renovations yet the time, cost and labor is undertaken by those leasing the homes only. The House of Tomorrow is the last of the homes to receive any real renovation work, at one point being re-leased. The intensive involvement necessary does make it difficult but the monetary aspect is responsible for the lack of progress. This was a very unique home and to restore it accordingly involves major expense. With all the work that went into the home from the initial concept by Keck and Keck, the vision of Bartlett to bring them to Beverly Shores, the actual travel over the Lake Michigan waters, the Dunes' historic preservation plans and finally those that have attempted the endeavour, the House of Tomorrow has a spirit that will not cease. To see this home receive the funds necessary to bring it back to its original glory would be a dream come true for myself, those that enjoy going to see this home today as well as the original dreamers and those involved in the preservation to this point. There needs to continue to be a tomorrow for the House of Tomorrow.
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