On June 7, Indiana Landmarks’ popular “Back to the Future” tour highlighting Mid-Century Modern architecture will feature five Mid-Century Modern properties dating to from 1945 to 1958 in Fort Wayne, including private residences and a standout Modernist church.

On the city’s north side, two of the tour homes were designed by Wisconsin architect John Randal McDonald – sometimes called the “poor man’s Frank Lloyd Wright.” McDonald created unique homes for clients throughout the Midwest in the ’50s and ’60s, echoing Wright’s work at prices more affordable for the middle class.

Mid-Century Modern houses often incorporate walls of windows, skylights, and other features that maximize views of surrounding nature, blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Tour stops include the following:

• The 1945 home of Thom Johnston and Bob Gould on Old Mill Road
• The 1954-55 home of Scott and Susan Rumage on Sanibel Drive
• The 1954 home of Anthony and Patricia Vilutis on Sanibel Drive
• The 1958 home of Mike Kelly on Colony Drive
• The 1953 former Volkswagen dealership on Baer Road, now home of Creager and Joan Smith

Tour headquarters is Peace Lutheran Church, designed by Modernist architect Charles Stade and constructed in two phases in 1948 and 1962.

“Back to the Future” is presented by Indiana Modern, an affinity group of Indiana Landmarks that works to preserve and promote the best of mid-twentieth century architecture, design, and landscapes across the state.

WHAT: Back to the Future: A Mid-Century Modern Home Tour

WHEN: Saturday, June 7, from noon to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Check in at Peace Lutheran Church, 4900 Fairfield Avenue

COST: Advance tickets are $20 per person with discounts for members of Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Modern

Day-of-tour tickets are $25, available at tour headquarters

TICKETS: Buy tickets at midcenturytour25.eventbrite.com by calling 317-639-4534.

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Indiana Landmarks revitalizes communities, strengthens connections to our diverse 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. People who join Indiana Landmarks receive its bimonthly magazine, Indiana Preservation. For more information on the not-for-profit organization, call 317-639-4534, 800-450-4534, or visit www.indianalandmarks.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Mindi Woolman, Director of Marketing and Communications, Indiana Landmarks, 317-639-4534, mwoolman@indianalandmarks.org

Mark Dollase, Vice President of Preservation Services, Indiana Landmarks, 317-639-4534,  mdollase@indianalandmarks.org