Champaign-Urbana residents get rare chance to tour private Mid-Century Modern homes on May 23

Architecture enthusiasts in Champaign-Urbana will have a rare opportunity to tour seven Mid-Century Modern buildings on Saturday, May 23, as part of the second annual CU MCM Open House. The event includes private homes not typically open to the public, and tickets cost $40. The Champaign County History Museum presents this event with support from the University of Illinois School of Architecture and PACA. Tickets are available at champaigncountyhistory.org/modernhometour. Visitors may pick up passes beginning at 10 a.m. at Urbana First Presbyterian Church at 602 West Green Street.

A morning program includes a performance by Anna Sapozhnikov and Good House Keep at 10:30 a.m. A panel discussion titled Historic Preservation Wins follows at 11 a.m. Panelists include Rachel Liebowitz, a Chicago-based historic preservation expert, and Scott Mehaffey, Executive Director of the Edith Farnsworth House. Anthony Rubano serves as Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer for Illinois. Kate Holliday moderates from the University of Illinois as professor of historic preservation and architectural history.

Seven buildings designed by five architects will open for touring from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The architects include Harry Weese, Jack Baker, John Replinger, A. Richard Williams, and Laz and Edwards. The 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. The event celebrates local history, architecture, and Preservation Month.