Collection of innovative model homes originally built for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair that showcased futuristic architecture, modern materials, and revolutionary residential design concepts.
Interior access typically available only during special guided tours and annual events
Special home tours: Admission fee required
How to Get There
From Michigan City (8 mi): Take US-12 west toward Beverly Shores, enter Indiana Dunes National Park, turn north toward Lake Front Drive, and continue to the Century of Progress Historic District along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Overview
The Century of Progress Homes are among the most remarkable architectural survivors of the 1933–1934 Chicago World's Fair, officially known as the Century of Progress International Exposition. Designed to showcase what architects and engineers believed the future of American living would look like, the homes introduced visitors to groundbreaking ideas ranging from all-electric construction and prefabricated materials to modern climate control systems and radically new floor plans. Following the close of the fair, five of the houses were transported across Lake Michigan by barge and relocated to Beverly Shores, where they remain preserved today. Their bold designs reflected the optimism of the machine age and demonstrated how technology might transform everyday life.
The district includes the famous House of Tomorrow, Florida Tropical House, Armco-Ferro House, Wieboldt-Rostone House, and Cypress Log Cabin, each representing a unique vision of modern residential architecture. The House of Tomorrow featured floor-to-ceiling glass walls, a central airplane hangar for an owner's private aircraft, and futuristic circular design elements that captivated fair visitors. Today, the homes form the Century of Progress Historic District within Indiana Dunes National Park and are recognized as nationally significant examples of Depression-era innovation and architectural experimentation. While everyday access is limited because the structures are leased and undergoing continued preservation efforts, visitors can admire the exteriors year-round and occasionally tour select interiors during special events, providing a rare opportunity to experience a living piece of World's Fair history.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Century of Progress Homes, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0.
