The Alden B. Dow Home and Studio and Mid-Century Modern Midland (MCMM) will participate with Docomomo US National Tour Day-Travel and Leisure, on October 9, 2021.
Docomomo US is the United States chapter of Docomomo International, a non-profit organization dedicated to the documentation and conservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods of the modern movement for nearly 25 years.
The only national program of its kind, Tour Day is devoted to the appreciation of modern architecture in the United States. Tours and events focused on architecture and design of the Modern Movement are hosted by Docomomo US chapters, partners, and leading voices in preservation.
As a Docomomo US partner, the Home and Studio will feature exclusive, in-person tours of the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio and docent guided walking tours (exterior of structures) representing Mr. Dow’s early career and the Dow Family Homes.
MCMM will offer walking tours (exteriors of structures) that highlight the 39 residential structures designed by Midland’s leading MCM architects in the Applewood and Valley Drive neighborhood.
MCMM will also highlight a self-guided tour in the Andre/James neighborhood that will allow people to use the MCMM app to identify each MCM structure and give information on them. A yard sign will also be displayed in each yard to identify the architect of the structure.
The Alden B. Dow Home and Studio
(Exclusive Interior Tour)
Be ready to be delighted with this in-depth, docent guided, two-hour tour of the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio including all the extras: the roof, the tunnel, the terraces, and more. Tours begin at 315 Post Street at the tour time you reserve in advance. Please print out your confirmation email and bring it with you and our reception will check you in and direct you to your guide.
-Advanced Reservations Required
-Tour Times: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, & 3pm
-Pricing: $30
-Approximate length of tour 2 hours
Alden B. Dow: His Early Career and Family History
(Exterior Only Walking Tour)
Discover the early career and family history of Michigan’s Architect Laureate Alden B. Dow F.A.I.A., which shaped the city of Midland, Michigan. We will gather outside of the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio and begin our docent guided walking journey past the Dow Family Home and the Dow Gardens. We will walk to Alden B. Dow’s first residential structure in Midland, the Earl Stein Home and the nearby James and Elsa Pardee Home, Dow’s most expensive commission up to 1936. We will see a combination of the exteriors of early Dow-designed homes and the homes of several members of the Dow Family, which surround the Dow Gardens. We will walk by Unit Block designed homes from the early 1930s on St. Andrews.
-Advanced Reservations Required
-Tour Times: 10am, 1pm
-Pricing: $30
-2.5 to 3 miles of walking.
-Approximate length of tour 2.0 hours
-Tours will commence rain or shine unless thunder and lightning.
-Docents will guide using portable sound systems. Guests are encouraged to bring their own headphones/earbuds to plug into the audio receivers (wireless not compatible).
MCMM Applewood and Valley Neighborhood
(Exterior Only Walking Tour)
Although there are hundreds of Mid-Century Modern structures throughout Midland, this tour will focus on and explore the Valley Drive and Applewood Road neighborhoods. This area is unique for both its high concentration of MCM structures, as well as being the location for some of the finest examples of Mid-Century architecture in the area. Leaving from Post Street, this docent led 2-mile walk will highlight 39 structures and the work of 17 different architects and designers. We will walk past beautiful homes designed by Midland’s Big Five Architects (Alden B. Dow, Glenn Beach, Jackson Hallett, Francis Red Warner, and Robert Schwartz) as well as many others.
-Advanced Reservations Required
-Tour Times: 10am, 1pm
-Pricing: $30
-2 miles of walking.
-Approximate length of tour 2 hours
-Tours will commence rain or shine unless thunder and lightning.
-Docents will guide using portable sound systems. Guests are encouraged to bring their own headphones/earbuds to plug into the audio receivers (wireless not compatible).
Highlighted Self Guided FREE Tour
(Exterior Only )
Learn more about the Mid-Century Modern-rich Andre/James neighborhood through the use of both the free MCMM app and architect-specific signage that will be on display. The 29 homes located on Andre Street, James Drive, Willard Street and Cruz Drive, showcase the work of 10 different architects and designers who contributed to the wonderful architectural heritage of Midland. Participants will download the MCMM app, and use the tour option to guide themselves through the neighborhood to learn more about the featured homes. A sign identifying the architect/designer of each structure will also be viewable. A QR code on the signs may be scanned with smartphones to direct the user to download the app.
-Advanced Registration Requested
-Tour Times: Between the Hours of 10am to 5pm on October 9, 2021
-Pricing: FREE to the Public
USING THE APP
-Download the FREE Mid-Century Modern Midland app from Google Play or the Apple App store.
-Select tours/map option in the upper left corner.
-Select the Featured Routes column and then the Andre/James option.
-The app will populate the most efficient route for the user to follow to the 29 structures.
