Preservation New Jersey is excited to participate in Docomomo US‘s thirteenth Tour Day. The only national event of its kind, Tour Day is an annual celebration of modern architecture and design where the public and like-minded organizations across the country participate in a tour or event on the second Saturday of October.
This year also marks a milestone for PNJ, as it is the 25th anniversary of our 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in NJ program. Since 1995, we have been spotlighting irreplaceable historic, architectural, cultural, and archaeological resources in New Jersey that are in imminent danger of being lost. By doing so, we have brought attention to the threats New Jersey’s historic resources are facing, and much needed support to specific sites in communities throughout the state. Accordingly, we are taking the opportunity on this 2019 DOCOMOMO Tour Day to highlight modernist architecture throughout NJ that has either been on the 10 Most list or has been considered “endangered” in the past.
The suggested donation for Preservation New Jersey’s DOCOMOMO Tour Day 2019 is $10 for PNJ and DOCOMOMO members and $15 for non-members. Proceeds will be split with local organization hosts. Your generous donation helps PNJ sustain its efforts in furtherance of historic preservation in NJ.
Tour 1: Louis Kahn Bath House
October 12th from 9:00AM – 12:00PM
(tours start on the hour)
999 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing, NJ
Ewing Township’s Bath House and Day Camp Pavilions, designed in 1955 and 1957 for the Trenton Jewish Community Center by noted Philadelphia architect Louis I. Kahn, are of international importance and renown. They mark a turning point in Kahn’s career, reflecting an important stylistic advancement in the way modernist principles were infused with tradition, and showcasing the first realization of his concept of “servant” and “served” spaces. The Bath House, which has been restored, continues in its original use and a new, free-standing, stylistically compatible Snack Bar has been constructed. Two of Kahn’s associated Day Camp Pavilions were reconstructed following HABS-level documentation and the other two rehabilitated. In addition, the landscape design and parking areas derive from a sustainable interpretation of Kahn’s Master Plan, featuring a community green as originally intended with perimeter parking and groves of trees that create outdoor rooms.
The Bath House and Day Camp Pavilions was included on the 10 Most Endangered Places list in 1997, and has since been saved and restored, with help from a grant from the NJ Historic Trust. Mills & Schnoering Architects, LLC was awarded a 2014 Modernism in America Award for its work to save the site.
Tour 2: James Rose Center
October 12th, 12:00PM – 3:00PM
(tours starting on the hour)
506 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ
The James Rose Center, designed by James Rose to serve as his home and studio, is a significant example of a thoughtfully integrated modernist building and landscape. The initial construction was completed in 1953. Rose revisited his scheme in early 1970s, making significant architectural additions and abandoning his original grid-based planting scheme for a more organic landscape. The building and site continued to evolve until his death in 1991, when the property took on an institutional role and became a center for research in landscape architecture and design.
The James Rose Center was included on the 10 Most Endangered Places list in 2017 after a storm damaged part of the property. It is currently in the process of being restored.
Tour 3: Vineland’s Modern Architecture – A Walking Tour
CANCELED
Unfortunately, due to limited interest, we are cancelling the Vineland Modern Architecture Tour.
From the brutalist style City Hall to the iconic Art Deco Landis Theater, Vineland is rich in modern architecture. Take a stroll through downtown to learn how traditional and modern styles form a complementary aesthetic.
TOUR COLLABORATORS
Thank you to Mills + Schnoering Architecture, LLC, the James Rose Center, the Cumberland County Cultural & Heritage Commission, Main Street Vineland, Mercer County, and Ewing Township for their generous support in helping to organize Preservation New Jersey’s DOCOMOMO Tour Day 2019.
ABOUT DOCOMOMO US
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.