Churchill Midcentury Modern Home Tour Weekend

The inaugural Churchill Midcentury Modern Home Tour Weekend is organized by The Churchill Midcentury Modern Home Tour Planning Committee in partnership with Churchill Borough, the Recreation Board of Churchill and the Pittsburgh Modern Committee of Preservation Pittsburgh.

Ten miles from Pittsburgh, Churchill Borough boasts one of the highest concentrations of Midcentury Modern residential designs between New York and Chicago - this is your chance to experience it! A range of homes built between 1950s-1970s will be open to a public audience for a unique and eye-opening home tour event, the first of its kind.

The weekend will kick-off with an opening soiree event on Friday evening, with self-guided home tours held on Saturday, and related talks on Sunday - all celebrating the architectural legacy of the neighborhood.

Participants will explore a variety of homes and topics while meeting the homeowners and fellow lovers of modern architecture, furnishings, landscaping, and interior design details.

Friday September 12

6:00 - 9:00 PM

To kick off the weekend, join us for an exclusive evening fundraiser in an exceptional midcentury modern home with music entertainment by Jane West and catering by Black Radish Kitchen. Partial proceeds support preservation and programming of our region's 20th century modern architecture and design. Address and details provided upon registration - limited tickets!

Saturday September 13

9:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Check-in opens at 9:00 AM at our program headquarters - Saint John Fisher Church, dedicated in 1963 and designed by Pittsburgh architects Gerard and McDonald. Come explore this boldly modern structure and interior for an up-close look at incredible art and design details of the period. Docents will be present sharing unique insight!

*Enjoy a morning refreshment from Delina's EthioCafe - a mobile coffee shop serving traditional Ethiopian hot and cold small-batch organic coffee! (9:00am - 1:00pm only)

*Food trucks will also be on-site for that midday snack! (11:00am - 2:00pm only)

Check-in for ticketholders and tours of the church will be open between 9:00am to 2:30pm. Guests cannot check-in or access the church after 2:30pm.

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

A curated selection of private residencies throughout Churchill Borough designed in a Modernist style and built during the second half of the 20th century between 1950s-1970s will be open to a public audience for a unique and eye-opening home tour event, the first of its kind! Guests and the community will have the opportunity to experience the exteriors, grounds, and interiors of various properties, learning more about the rich range of midcentury modern architecture, art, and design in Churchill. The range of homes feature unique architectural details innovative in their time - such as angular roof formats, floor to ceiling windows, and simple geometric forms crafted of glass, brick, stone, or wood siding - refreshing design expressions when compared to traditional styles.

ACCESS NOTES:

*All ticketed guests must check-in at Saint John Fisher Church between 9:00am-2:30pm to receive a print program, wrist band and addresses.

*Select homes will be accessed by a shuttle bus continuoulsly running from the church to the homes and back. Guests may leave their cars parked at the church.

*Select homes are self-drive, with parking available along the resdiential streets. Program staff will guide you regarding parking.

Sunday September 14

2:00 - 4:00 PM

An afternoon event in a special venue - the 1957 Beulah Presbyterian Church designed by architects Hoffman & Crumpton of Pittsburgh. After receiving an introduction to the church design, take in the modernist sanctuary during a series of short presentations on the Westinghouse R&D Center, the history of Churchill's modern architecture & community and selections from the Carnegie Mellon University Architecture Archives. A reception in the courtyard will follow!

Presenters:

Lynn Kawaratani, Liaison Librarian for Architecture, Carnegie Mellon University, presenting a curated selection of Churchilll-related highlights from the CMU Architecture Archives, home to the Tasso Katselas papers and much more.

Brittany Reilly, Founder Pittsburgh Modern Committee of Preservation Pittsburgh, presenting on the architecture and design of Westinghouse R&D Center (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, 1950-1970s).

Lisa Edwards, Churchill Resident, Research Lead, presenting on the architect-planner behind Churchill developing into one of the largest concentrations of midcentury modern homes between New York and Chicago.

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By purchasing tickets the buyer and all ticket holders and attendees will acknowledge and agree to the following items.

LIMITED ACCESS

The Soiree and Home Tours take place in historic private residences and properties that include uneven stairs, narrow hallways, no handrails and small spaces. These locations do not meet ADA Accessibility Standards and wheelchairs and walkers cannot be accommodated. You may still purchase tickets and enjoy exterior viewing only, however, please note that some streets have a steep incline. All home tour streets are cul-de-sacs or private roads and not heavily trafficked - however, there are no sidewalks so please take precautions when walking on the streets.

SHUTTLES

Certain homes on the tour will be reached by a minibus shuttle running throughout the day. The shuttle cannot accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, strollers or similar items.

PARKING

Parking along residential streets and cul-de-sacs is limited, please carpool when possible and follow directives of the program volunteers.

CHILDREN & STROLLERS

Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Strollers are permitted along the streets while walking, but are not permitted in any interior.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Registered program attendees may take photographs of exteriors, unless otherwise indicated. No interior photography is allowed of any home on the tour. Interior photography is permitted at two church locations.

A professional photographer will be onsite during all events and will be documenting the program and guest activity. During your participation, you may be included in one or more photographs that may appear in social media or communications.

FOOD & DRINK

Churchill Borough does not have a commercial district with restaurants. This program is pleased to provide a coffee/pastries vendor at registration and various food trucks in the neighborhood. While several options will be available, some strict food allergies may not be able to be accommodated. Please plan accordingly. Water will be available at registration. No food or drink (with the exception of sealed bottled water) is allowed in the homes unless being served by the homeowner/hosts.

NO SMOKING, VAPING

No indoor or outdoor smoking or vaping of any sort is permitted during the program at any time.

REFUNDS

No refunds will be issued once tickets are purchased; however, transfers are permitted. To transfer your ticket to another holder, please email [email protected]

RAIN OR SHINE

All events on this program will remain scheduled come rain or shine. Please come prepared with jackets/ponchos - no umbrellas are permitted in the homes. Guests may be asked to put disposable booties on over their shoes before entering certain homes. In the event severe or dangerous weather is forecasted, ticket holders will be updated within 24 hours of the event.

Info: To kick off the weekend, join us for an exclusive evening fundraiser in an exceptional midcentury modern home with music entertainment by Jane West and catering by Black Radish Kitchen. Partial proceeds support preservation and programming of our region's 20th century modern architecture and design. Address and details provided upon registration - limited tickets!

Info: A curated selection of private residencies throughout Churchill Borough designed in a Modernist style and built during the second half of the 20th century between 1950s-1970s will be open to a public audience for a unique and eye-opening home tour event, the first of its kind! Guests and the community will have the opportunity to experience the exteriors, grounds, and interiors of various properties, learning more about the rich range of midcentury modern architecture, art, and design in Churchill. The range of homes feature unique architectural details innovative in their time - such as angular roof formats, floor to ceiling windows, and simple geometric forms crafted of glass, brick, stone, or wood siding - refreshing design expressions when compared to traditional styles.

Info: Check-in opens at 9:00 AM at our program headquarters - Saint John Fisher Church, dedicated in 1963 and designed by Pittsburgh architects Gerard and McDonald. Come explore this boldly modern structure and interior for an up-close look at incredible art and design details of the period. Docents will be present sharing unique insight!
*Enjoy a morning refreshment from Delina's EthioCafe - a mobile coffee shop serving traditional Ethiopian hot and cold small-batch organic coffee! (9:00am - 1:00pm only)
*Food trucks will also be on-site for that midday snack! (11:00am - 2:00pm only)
Check-in for ticketholders and tours of the church will be open between 9:00am to 2:30pm. Guests cannot check-in or access the church after 2:30pm.

Info: An afternoon speaker event in a special venue - the 1957 Beulah Presbyterian Church designed by architects Hoffman & Crumpton of Pittsburgh. After receIving an introduction to the church design, take in the modernist sanctuary during a series of short presentations on the Westinghouse R&D Center, the history of Churchill's modern architecture & community and selections from the Carnegie Mellon University Architecture Archives.

Host or Publisher Pittsburgh Modern Committee