CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) — Architecture enthusiasts will have a rare opportunity to tour Mid-Century Modern buildings across Champaign-Urbana on Saturday, May 23, including private homes not typically open to the public, as part of the second annual CU MCM Open House.
The day-long event is presented by the Champaign County History Museum, the University of Illinois School of Architecture, and PACA in celebration of local history, architecture, and Preservation Month. Tickets are $40 and are available at champaigncountyhistory.org/modernhometour.
Tour passes can be picked up beginning at 10 a.m. at Urbana First Presbyterian Church, 602 W. Green St. A morning program will include a performance by Anna Sapozhnikov and Good House Keep at 10:30 a.m., followed immediately by a panel discussion titled Historic Preservation Wins: Midcentury Modern and Beyond. Panelists include Rachel Liebowitz, a Chicago-based historic preservation expert; Scott Mehaffey, Executive Director of the Edith Farnsworth House; Anthony Rubano, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer for Illinois; and Kate Holliday, a University of Illinois professor of historic preservation and architectural history, who will moderate.
Seven buildings designed by five architects — Harry Weese, Jack Baker, John Replinger, A. Richard Williams, and Laz and Edwards — will be open for touring from 1 to 5 p.m. Buildings include First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, the Stendler-Sheets House, the Grice-Stauffer-Mette House, the Margaret Erlanger House, the Lane-Malik House, Bethel AME Church of Champaign, and Hessel Park Christian Reformed Church. Visitors may tour stops in any order.
Those with questions or interest in volunteering can contact Perry Morris at pmorris@champaigncountyhistory.org.