Date: September 2, 2014
Contact: Ryan Koepke, 219-395-1882
Online reservations for the popular Century of Progress Homes Tours at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore begin on September 8th at 8:00 a.m. (Central Daylight Time). This year, in addition to the Saturday October 18th tours, there is a whole weekend of activities at the historic homes October 17-19, 2014.
On Saturday, October 18, the National Park Service and nonprofit Dunes National Park Association host the annual “Century of Progress Homes Tour.” The required on-line reservation is $20 per person and includes a two-hour ranger-guided tour that starts at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and includes a shuttle to the lakefront homes site. The tour explores the first floor of the Cypress Log, Florida Tropical, Armco-Ferro, and Wieboldt-Rostone houses and also includes a peek into the unrestored House of Tomorrow. These popular tours fill very quickly. Make your reservation at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/dnpa/event/221145/ or http://www.dunesnationalpark.org. starting September 8th at 8:00 a.m. CDT.
Returning this year on Friday night, October 17 from 7-9 p.m. CDT, is a festive fundraiser hosted by nonprofit Indiana Landmarks, benefiting the rescue of the House of Tomorrow, the lone unrestored home of the five. This event includes a look inside the park’s Century of Progress houses and on-site hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and entertainment. The tickets, $125/person, can be reserved at https://fairaffair.eventbrite.com.
Indiana Landmarks is also hosting a new program, “Century of Progress Experience” on Sunday, October 19. Indiana Landmarks will offer a public morning presentation at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center about the fair’s impact on American design and housing. The ticketed event ($50/member; $70/nonmember) includes a reserved seat at the morning presentation, lunch, and transportation to the lakefront for a top-to-bottom tour of the selected Century of Progress houses, including remarks by the leaseholders who have restored and live in these homes. The required tickets are available at https://centuryofprogress.eventbrite.com/
Friday night, the National Park Service is hosting an indoor music presentation at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center that starts at 7 p.m. This free program highlights the music from the 1930’s and will be performed by regional musicians, Save the Tunes. Throughout the month of October, the Beverly Shores Museum and Art Gallery will host a “Century of Progress” exhibit. The museum, located at 525 Broadway in Beverly Shores is open Friday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A new publication, sponsored by Dunes National Park Association, with support from Indiana Landmarks, can be purchased at www.dunesnationalpark.org or available at the visitor center for purchase during the tours. This publication features information about the five homes and includes “before and after” pictures and comments by leaseholders responsible for the restoration. If you’re interested in making this a destination weekend getaway, visit Indiana Dunes Tourism at www.IndianaDunes.com for suggested accommodations.
This “Century of Progress” weekend is offered in partnership by the National Park Service, Indiana Landmarks, Indiana Dunes Tourism, Dunes National Park Association, and Beverly Shores Museum and Art Gallery.
If you have additional questions about the tours or reservations, please call the national lakeshore information desk at 219-395-1882.
www.nps.gov
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is part of the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
