SoCoMCM hosts events that educate and entertain in the interest of promoting the modernist state-of-mind through the advocacy to preserve its architecture, art and designed objects. Events bring membership together to align our advocacy while providing opportunities to collectively move the preservation of modernism in Chicago’s Southland forward.
Our 2026 Calendar is filling out with all committees from the Events, Research and Resource committees planning and hosting events in 2026 that will bring people together to share expertise, learn, and promote our collective history. From book signings to informational sessions on restoration to private home tours, 2026 will prove to be an impactful and fun year for SoCoMCM.
FUTURE EVENTS | SoCoMCM’s 2026 Schedule
TOUR SOLD OUT….
Spaces Remain for the LECTURE
Information and Registration Link Below
9:30 Check-In and 10am Lecture on October 3rd at Michigan City Public Library
Join SoCoMCM and the Michigan City Public Library for a special presentation by Anthony Denzer, Ph.D., Professor of Architecture at the University of Wyoming and author of The Solar House: Pioneering Sustainable Design (Rizzoli, 2013). Denzer will explore the pioneering work of George Fred Keck and William Keck, whose experiments with solar-responsive architecture helped reshape ideas about the Modern home and anticipated many principles of sustainable design decades before they entered the architectural mainstream.
Presented at Helmut Jahn’s Michigan City Public Library, the lecture creates a unique dialogue across generations of Modern architecture—from the experimental optimism of the 1930s to the increasing emphasis on environmental responsiveness and building performance that followed.
This public lecture is presented as part of the Sold Out SoCoMCM’s DESIGN FORWARD: Three Buildings | One Conversation, a larger architectural program that continues with special tours of George Fred Keck’s House of Tomorrow and the Frost House, exploring the evolution of Modern architecture from experimentation to prefabrication and performance.
Design Forward Tours | SOLD OUT
DESIGN FORWARD | Three Buildings One Conversation | October 3rd | 9:30 Registration and 10:00 Lecture Start
From Experimentation to Performance: Three Generations of Modern Architecture
Join the Southland Collective of Mid-Century Modern (SoCoMCM) for an extraordinary day exploring how architects across three generations imagined—and continually reimagined—the future of architecture.
The experience begins at Helmut Jahn's Michigan City Public Library, where participants will gather for registration, refreshments, and a special keynote presentation by Anthony Denzer, Ph.D., Professor of Architecture at the University of Wyoming and author of The Solar House: Pioneering Sustainable Design (Rizzoli, 2013). In The Solar House, Denzer highlights the pioneering work of George Fred Keck and William Keck, illustrating their profound influence on the development of environmentally responsive architecture and sustainable residential design.
Following the lecture, guests will embark on a curated architectural tour featuring two remarkable experimental residences.
The House of Tomorrow
George Fred Keck's visionary 1933 World's Fair house that boldly imagined the future of American living.
Vacant since 1999, Keck's futuristic House of Tomorrow remained shrouded in protective wrapping within Indiana Dunes National Park for decades. Funding from the Department of the Interior launched a major restoration effort in 2023, and today its remarkable glass enclosure has returned as work continues to restore this important experiment in modern residential architecture.
Tour presented in conjunction with Indiana Landmarks.
The Frost House
An extraordinary Mid-Century Modern residence exploring prefabrication, environmental performance, and the continuing evolution of Modern architecture.
Today, the Frost House continues to serve as a private residence and is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Public access is limited, making this tour a rare opportunity to experience the house firsthand and understand its architecture within the landscape for which it was designed.
Three Buildings | One Conversation
Together, these three destinations trace a remarkable progression in Modern architecture—one driven by innovation, experimentation, prefabrication, environmental responsiveness, and an enduring optimism about architecture's ability to shape the future.
House of Tomorrow → Experimentation + the Future of Living
Frost House → Prefabrication + Refinement
Michigan City Public Library → Performance + Environmental Responsiveness
LECTURE SERIES 003 | Tentative for November | Demystifying Historic Registration for Properties and Districts — Explore the process of State and National Historic Registration, from eligibility requirements and application procedures to the benefits, limitations, and implications of designating individual properties or historic districts. Guest speaker Susan S. Benjamin, co-author of Modern in the Middle, will share expert insight into preservation strategy and landmark designation.
LECTURE SERIES 004 and ANNUAL MEETING | Tentative for December| What Is Modernism. A historical exploration of how modernist architecture, design, and art evolved into what is now commonly recognized as Mid-Century Modern.
2026 ORNAMENT PICK-UP | December | This annual event has become SoCoMCM’s informal holiday celebration, hosted at a member’s Mid-Century Modern home. Members are invited to gather with friends and fellow modernist enthusiasts while shopping a curated selection of holiday ornaments and seasonal objects in a festive and intimate setting.
PAST EVENTS
ANNUAL PARTY | Eccentric Banquet & Cinematic Jubile | Members enjoyed a Mid-Century Modern Evening Inspired by the World of Wes Anderson. An unusual cast of characters showed up for our annual party and home tour. Guests got to tour the home hidden among the trees beside Olympia Fields Country Club known as the Pascale House, a remarkable Mid-Century Modern residence designed by architect Leroy Cohen in 1957 for pioneering heart surgeon Dr. Pascale. For this event, the house became the backdrop for SoCoMCM's Annual Summer Party.
Norton Happy Hour and Home Tour | Members got the opportunity to enter a remarkable home that has never been open to the public, the Norton House in Park Forest, designed by Richard A. Norton and featured in Prairie School Review in 1963. The house is a wonderful example of organic modernism, thoughtfully integrated into its natural setting with sweeping views over a ravine and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape. Members enjoyed a Happy Hour featuring Norton Martinis and an in-person tour hosted by the current owner, Richard’s son. As a nod to the evening’s featured Norton Martinis, guests were encouraged to wear olive or shades of green.
Keck and Keck Open House | SoCoMCM invited members of the architectural, design, preservation, and creative communities to an open house and cocktail reception at a notable Keck & Keck House residence located at 1301 Saint Andrews Drive in Briar Ridge, Schererville, Indiana. As the current owners prepare to transition stewardship of the home, it is their hope that the next chapter of the residence will be entrusted to someone who recognizes its architectural significance and values the responsibility of preserving its character and history. Guests had the opportunity to tour the home, connect with fellow modernist enthusiasts, and celebrate the architectural legacy of Keck and Keck.
STUDIO VISIT | Group Tour of Design@329, a collective of 16 distinct showrooms, each offering a unique perspective on timeless design. Explore a curated selection of iconic furniture, accessories, lighting, and art across these thoughtfully curated spaces. This guided experience highlights exceptional craftsmanship and enduring Mid-Century Modern design throughout multiple showrooms. Brought to you by the Resource Committee. RSVP at SoCo@SoCoMCM.org
EVENT | Holiday Gathering | SoCoMCM had their first Annual Holiday Gathering & Ornament Pickup in December at a lovely Mid-Century home in Olympia Fields. Members celebrated the holiday season and the Event’s Committee debuted their annual holiday tree ornament. This year we had beautifully crafted and numbered glass pieces from Higgins Glass.
LECTURE | Pies N’ Plaid Lecture Series | Marcy Dinius, Professor at DePaul University gave a lecture entitled, Building Modern South Suburban Communities: The Work of McPherson, Swing & Associates and Others at the Black Bear Lodge on the grounds of Izaak Walton Preserve in Homewood designed by John McPherson. Everyone learned something new regarding the development of the southland and the wide reach of John McPherson’s work. After the lecture, pies and drinks were served providing for a informational and social afternoon. In honor of John McPherson’s Scottish/Irish roots almost everyone found plaid in their closets for SoCoMCM’s first lecture in what we hope will be many years and educational lectures to come.
PALM SPRINGS on the PRAIRIE | Second Annual SoCoMCM Soiree | SoCoMCM hosted an unforgettable evening at an Edward Dart designed, iconic midcentury home where the spirit of Palm Springs met the heart of the Prairie. As summer came to an end members celebrated the first year as a registered non-profit. There was much to feel excited about as Edward Peck (founder) and all committee chairs shared the year’s accomplishments. Palm Springs inspired cocktails flowed and a great time was had by all…
HUMRICH HAPPY HOUR | SoCoMCM hosted a Happy Hour Event as a precursor to the 2025 Edith Farnsworth House Modernist Tour that took place the following weekend in Riverwoods where four Edward Humrich Homes were featured. SoCoMCM founders, Edward and Katie hosted a members-only event at their Humrich designed home. A special guest was in attendance, Claire Goulding (Lieberman) who’s parents commissioned Humrich in the early 50’s, she provided fascinating insight about growing up in a MCM home as she and the current owners showed everyone around with cocktails in hand.
SPRING PICNIC at the NATE | SoCoMCM Members enjoyed a picnic at the “Running Table” a sculpture by Dan Peterman at the NATHAN MANILOW SCULPTURE PARK (the NATE) at Governors State University | It turned out to be a fun and relaxing afternoon at The NATE, which is a mere 20min drive from Flossmoor (45min from Chicago). Members enjoyed a picnic lunch and a private sculpture walk with Jeff Stevenson, the Director & Curator, Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park and Visual Arts Gallery, Governors State University.
PRIVATE TOUR of HIGGINS GLASS STUDIO and RECEPTION at the FREEAK HOUSE in Riverside designed by John Vinci and Lawrence Kenny 1971-75 | February 22nd | Members enjoyed the private tour of Higgins Glass Studio learning about its rich history and pioneering craft. Michael and Frances Higgins opened in 1948 as pioneers in the rediscovery and refinement of the ancient art of glass fusing. The tour was led by the chosen successors Louise and Jonathan Wimmer who continue the art and craft of the studio. Following the Higgins Tour, the group took a short drive to the home of Kim Freeark, the daughter of the original owners, Dr. Robert J. Freeark and Ruth Nelson Freeark. Joining the group as a surprise was the original architect, John Vinci who told stories from the home’s 4-year design and construction process. Many memorable stories about the home and its making were told. Everyone walked away with a new love to the art of glass fusion and the early work of John Vinci.
PRIVATE TOUR of the SCHWEIKHER HOUSE in Schaumburg IL designed by Paul Schweikher in 1937-38. A morning tour with coffee and pastries was arranged by SoCoMCM’s event committee with a lively discussion about Paul Schweiker’s influence on architecture and the architects that played a role in establishing the rich architectural history of the Southland. The tour was led by Dan Fitzpatrick the managing director and historian of the Schweikher House.
SoCoMCM SUMMER SOIREE | No tours, no lectures, just a gathering of like-minded individuals celebrating summer solstice in the shadows of a MCM Gem designed by John S Townsend Jr.
PRIVATE TOUR of PAUL SCHWEIKHER designed VICTORY CHRISTIAN INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES at 10 Hemlock Street in Park Forest, a modernist church that rivals the best religious structures anywhere. The tour included a short lecture by Dan Fitzpatrick, the managing director and historian of the Paul Schweikher House.
MODERNISM ROAD RALLY, SoCoMCM was proud to support the Modernsim Road Rally an event organized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Edith Farnsworth House. It was the success of this event that launched the idea of forming a Southland Group of Modernists (SoCoMCM) as it brought together and introduced many of members for the first time.