I have discovered that the 20th Century Home was moved to Herndon, Virginia, by March 27, 1955. Unfortunately, there was no information on the exact address. It may be time to call in the aid of a reference librarian.
I'm sorry to have missed the Home Show of 1955. For 80 cents, you could take in hourly demonstrations, witness a real wedding, and listen to the music of Jimmy Dean and his Texas Wildcats. And parking was free! Where would you find free parking these days in D.C.?
Sources:
Save on Short Lengths
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Mar 27, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1991)
pg. G10
Display Ad 3 -- No Title
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Feb 26, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1991)
pg. 4
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
How I Got the Idea, Part 2
The next day, I was in front of the search screen for the historical Washington Post, with no idea what to look for.
At one time I'd seen an article entitled "Homes of '55," so I decided to start there.
The search yielded 2813 hits. Yikes! When in doubt, start with the first page. I clicked on "Display Ad #96," dated January 2, 1955.
On the left side of the page were three pictures of neat but modest dwellings. The heading announced "No Matter What Your Income ... There's A National Home for You!" The pictured homes represented three models built by National Homes of Lafayette, Indiana. The Delta, Cabot, and Avalon models were all available for less than $10,000, including the cost of the lot.
What more could I learn about National Homes, which boasted production of "one out of every 48 homes being built in America"? I did a search on "National Homes."
This time, I learned that "a 60-foot Custom Line National Home" was to be built inside the D.C. Armory as part of the 1955 Home Show.
According to the article, the model, to be known as "A Home for the 20th Century," would have three bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, carport, "gas air conditioning and kitchen equipment," and would be "furnished in contemporary style by the Hecht Company." Dimensions: 45 feet long by 25 feet deep.
When the home show closed on February 27, the house was to be moved to Herndon, Virginia.
Did the Home for the 20th Century make it into the 21st Century? I was resolved to find out!
Sources:
Display Ad 96 -- No Title
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Jan 2, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1991) pg. AW6
Model Home To Be Built in 3 Days
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Feb 6, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1991)
pg. G4
At one time I'd seen an article entitled "Homes of '55," so I decided to start there.
The search yielded 2813 hits. Yikes! When in doubt, start with the first page. I clicked on "Display Ad #96," dated January 2, 1955.
On the left side of the page were three pictures of neat but modest dwellings. The heading announced "No Matter What Your Income ... There's A National Home for You!" The pictured homes represented three models built by National Homes of Lafayette, Indiana. The Delta, Cabot, and Avalon models were all available for less than $10,000, including the cost of the lot.
What more could I learn about National Homes, which boasted production of "one out of every 48 homes being built in America"? I did a search on "National Homes."
This time, I learned that "a 60-foot Custom Line National Home" was to be built inside the D.C. Armory as part of the 1955 Home Show.
According to the article, the model, to be known as "A Home for the 20th Century," would have three bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, carport, "gas air conditioning and kitchen equipment," and would be "furnished in contemporary style by the Hecht Company." Dimensions: 45 feet long by 25 feet deep.
When the home show closed on February 27, the house was to be moved to Herndon, Virginia.
Did the Home for the 20th Century make it into the 21st Century? I was resolved to find out!
Sources:
Display Ad 96 -- No Title
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Jan 2, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1991) pg. AW6
Model Home To Be Built in 3 Days
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Feb 6, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1991)
pg. G4
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
How I Got the Idea, Part 1
Not long ago, I was trying to find a music store in an unfamiliar part of town. In the process, I made an unscheduled detour into the Fifties.
Actually, I was looking for a place to turn around. What I found was a house that seemed frozen in the Eisenhower Administration. The same was true of the car parked in the carport.
Instantly, my mind was racing with questions. Did the inside of the house evoke the same historical feeling as the outside? What had this neighborhood looked like when Ike was in office? Who owned the house now? The same family?
This isn't the first time I've felt such curiosity about these kinds of places. But I've never pursued this interest. After all, I'm busy with my private music studio and weekend performances. Plus my husband and I have a house that cries out for decluttering and a good paint job. So I usually let the curiosity fade and go on to other things.
Not this time.
When I returned home, I decided to post my experience on Barbara Sher's bulletin boards. It's a community of incredibly supportive people, and I knew someone would have some ideas on how I could expand my interest.
As expected, I received several terrific suggestions. The first one was to simply look at newspaper articles and ads from the 1950's. I already knew that I could access historical issues of the Washington Post through the public library website. I could do that between lessons ... from the comfort of my own home! Who knew it could be so easy?
So that's where the journey began.
Actually, I was looking for a place to turn around. What I found was a house that seemed frozen in the Eisenhower Administration. The same was true of the car parked in the carport.
Instantly, my mind was racing with questions. Did the inside of the house evoke the same historical feeling as the outside? What had this neighborhood looked like when Ike was in office? Who owned the house now? The same family?
This isn't the first time I've felt such curiosity about these kinds of places. But I've never pursued this interest. After all, I'm busy with my private music studio and weekend performances. Plus my husband and I have a house that cries out for decluttering and a good paint job. So I usually let the curiosity fade and go on to other things.
Not this time.
When I returned home, I decided to post my experience on Barbara Sher's bulletin boards. It's a community of incredibly supportive people, and I knew someone would have some ideas on how I could expand my interest.
As expected, I received several terrific suggestions. The first one was to simply look at newspaper articles and ads from the 1950's. I already knew that I could access historical issues of the Washington Post through the public library website. I could do that between lessons ... from the comfort of my own home! Who knew it could be so easy?
So that's where the journey began.
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