On Aug. 20, Indiana Landmarks and the Miller Beach Arts & Creative District present Lake Michigan Modern: Miller Beach, a day-long exploration of Mid-Century Modern architecture. The experience includes a tour of four private homes, two churches, and a synagogue, and a talk on the history and architecture of the area.

Nestled along Lake Michigan shore between the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Gary’s steel industry, Miller Beach has a resort-like feel. Gary annexed Miller Beach in 1918 and over the decades it developed as a summer-getaway, with an outstanding crop of Modernist homes and churches.

Miller Beach’s proximity to Chicago attracted people who commissioned architects to build summer homes on the lakefront. Lake Michigan Modern includes visits to houses designed by Keck and Keck and Edmond Zisook, who studied under Mies van der Rohe.

The Aug. 20 event begins at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts in Gary with an overview on mid-century architecture and Miller’s history by Cullen Ben-Daniel of the Miller Historical Society. Tour-goers will ride a shuttle to featured sites in the lakeside area of Gary. The homes and churches on the tour were built between 1949 and 1969.

Tickets are $75 per person or $55 for Indiana Landmarks members. The cost includes continental breakfast and lunch. Riding the shuttle is required. Lake Michigan Modern costs $75 per person ($55 for Indiana Landmarks members), which includes continental breakfast, lunch, lecture, exhibit, the tour, and shuttle transportation for the tour. Riding the shuttle is required. Register online at lakemichmodmiller.eventbrite.com or call 317-639-4534.

Those wanting to make a weekend of it may attend a separately ticketed VIP reception and exhibit opening on Friday, Aug. 19, 6 p.m. at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts. The exhibit highlights photography, art, period clothing and furniture associated with mid-century Miller Beach. The reception features 1950s-themed hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Tickets are $40 per person ($30 per Indiana landmarks members), available online at lakemichmodmillervipreception.eventbrite.com. The exhibit runs from Aug. 19 – Sept. 4.

WHAT:  Lake Michigan Modern:  Miller Beach, featuring tours of four homes and three churches, and a lecture on the history and architecture of the resort-like community

WHEN:  Aug. 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT)

WHERE:  Tour shuttles depart from the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts, 540 S. Lake St., Gary

WHO:  Sponsored by Indiana Landmarks and the Miller Beach Arts & Creative District

COST:  $75 per person or $55 for Indiana Landmarks members. Cost includes continental breakfast, lectures, lunch and tours. Tour tickets may be purchased online at lakemichmodmiller.eventbrite.com.

Separately ticketed VIP reception and exhibit opening on Friday, August 19, 6 p.m. Cost is $40 per person ($30 for Indiana Landmarks members). Reception tickets may be purchased online at lakemichmodmillervipreception.eventbrite.com.

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Media contact:  Tiffany Tolbert, Director of Indiana Landmarks Northwest Field Office, 219-947-2657, ttolbert@indianalandmarks.org.

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Indiana Landmarks revitalizes communities, reconnects us to our heritage, and saves meaningful places. With nine offices located throughout the state, Indiana Landmarks helps people rescue endangered landmarks and restore historic neighborhoods and downtowns. Join us.

The Miller Beach Arts & Creative District strives to be a dynamic hub of creative cultural and economic activity that transforms the unique community and environment of Miller into a vital part of the city of Gary and the surrounding region. The Miller Beach Arts & Creative District convenes artists of all media and local commercial interests, and serves as a prototype for community redevelopment. For more information on this not-for-profit organization, call 773-822-8086 or visit www.millerbeacharts.org.