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

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

Seminar Summary | Although under-recognized among his contemporaries today, architect John McPherson, AIA (1908-1970) and his firm McPherson, Swing & Associates, completed diverse and extensive postwar community building work throughout Chicago’s south suburbs and beyond. Through this work, McPherson understood pressing postwar building needs and saw the opportunity for developing entire communities from scratch in the south suburbs.

The heart of the talk will focus on McPherson’s work, from early challenges to his modernist vision for these new communities to the addition of his partner Jack Swing, AIA (1924-2014) and the firm’s strategic expansion to design the schools, public libraries, fire stations, and other municipal and commercial buildings that made the south suburbs thriving postwar communities. 

Speaker | Marcy Dinius | Professor, DePaul University

WORKSHOP | 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. Location / Date/Time TBD.

PRE-TOUR | Enjoy a preview of what is to come at Edith Farnsworth House’s Modernism Tour in Riverwoods by touring our own Edward Humrich designed Lieberman House in Olympia Fields. Date/Time TBD

PAST EVENTS

PRIVATE TOUR | of Higgins Glass Studio and Reception at the Freeark 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 the Paul Schweikher designed Victory Christian International Ministries Church 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 | June 24, 2023 | 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.