Porcelain Utopia: Mid-Century Lustron Homes in Illinois and beyond, photographs by Dirk Fletcher

Dirk Fletcher, Brookfield, Illinois, 2018

Join us starting at 6pm for the opening of our exhibition "Porcelain Utopia - Mid-Century Lustron Homes in Illinois and Beyond;” photography by Dirk Fletcher.

“It is the end of the 1940s and GIs are returning from the war to find a housing shortage. Industrialist and entrepreneur Carl Strandlund recognized this opportunity and retooled his fledgling porcelain-enameled stainless steel gas station and hamburger stand business into a promise for these GIs.” - Dirk Fletcher

The Lustron Home, or unit, as it was called, was designed as a mass produced kit home to accommodate the deluge of returning World War II veterans and their families; a huge wave of demand for rapid construction of new houses that has been equated to the westward population shift of the California Gold Rush.

The “Lustrons” were very unique in every imaginable way. Slick brochures touted a futuristic lifestyle in a modern home constructed of porcelain covered steel, inside and out. The sleek interiors were designed with fitted closets, and cupboards, overhead radiant heat (which turned out to be not such a good idea) and easy to clean surfaces in an era, and world, where other options were older conventional frame and brick homes.

Dirk Fletcher is an American photographer whose work focuses primarily on the built environment and transportation. He has several long-term projects underway, including the documentation of post-war era porcelain enamel Lustron homes that are located across the country. He holds an MFA in Independent Filmmaking from Governors State University and a BA from Brooks Institute of Photography. In addition to shooting digitally, he is an avid designer, builder and user of 4x5, 8x10 and panoramic film cameras.

RSVP is encouraged and light refreshments will be served.

The exhibit runs through August 27, 2022.

This event is free, however registration is encouraged.