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 2025 Calendar is filling out with all committees from the Events, Research and Resource committees planning and hosting events in 2025 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, 2025 will prove to be an impactful and fun year for SoCoMCM.

FUTURE EVENTS | SoCoMCM’s 2025 Schedule

Jaz on the Lawn at the Edith Farnsworth House | July 26th at 4pm | This is a EFH Event that SoCoMCM Members will graciously receive a discount from EFH | Join SoCoMCM Members at this great event | Email SoCo@SoCoMCM.org for discount code

SECOND ANNUAL SoCoMCM SOIREE | September 6th | More Information to Come

SEMINAR | October TBD | Building Modern South Suburban Communities: The Work of McPherson, Swing & Associates

Speaker | Marcy Dinius | Professor, DePaul University

WORKSHOP | Oct/Nov TBD | Demystifying Historic Registration for Properties and Districts - Learn about the process of applying for State and National Historic Registration, the limits and requirements, the cons and benefits for registering a district or property.

Speaker | Amy Hathaway, National Register and Survey Specialist / Illinois State Historic Preservation Office

PAST EVENTS

HUMRICH HAPPY HOUR | SoCoMCM hosted a Happy Hour Event as a precursor to the 2025 Edith Farnsworth House Modernist Tour that will take place the following weekend in Riverwoods where four Edward Humrich Homes will be featured. SoCoMCM founders, Edward and Katie will be hosting a member-only event at their Humrich designed home. A special guest attended, Claire Goulding (Lieberman) who’s parents commissioned Humrich in the early 50’s, she provided fascinating insight about growing up in a Humrich designed home as she and the current owners toured 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 was just a 20min drive from Flossmoor. We enjoyed a picnic lunch, short committee and event update, 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 hold stories from the 4-year design and construction process. Together with owner Kim Freeark the two of them told memorable stories about the home and its making. 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.