Schaumburg's Schweikher house open for tours
A Schaumburg home set back off a wooden stretch of Meacham Road claims a rare distinction in the village: It is the only building on the National Register of Historic Places.
And not for its age.
Built by architect Paul Schweikher in 1938, the home is described as a "Prairie-styled, modern masterpiece" for its integration of brick, glass and wood, and was recently recognized by the American Institute of Architects as one of the top 150 architectural sites in Illinois.
"It is a neat, little gem of a house that is owned by the village of Schaumburg," says Jane Rozek, local history librarian at the Schaumburg Public Library, who also serves on the board of the Schweikher House Preservation Trust.
Still, it is little known in Schaumburg and the Northwest suburbs, for that matter, though architects are well aware of this treasure.
"The architect and first resident, Paul Schweikher, is fairly well known to architects," says Todd Wenger, executive director of the preservation trust, adding Schweikher has gained some popularity of late due to the resurgence in early/mid-century modernism, like that depicted on "Mad Men."
Schweikher, said Wenger, was at the forefront of modern architectural style.
"He is often attributed as one of the pioneers of passive solar technology," Wenger added.
From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, the Preservation Trust will open the home at 645 S. Meacham Road for guided tours. Visitors will see the iconic brick fireplace, passive solar room, exposed wood beams, built-in furniture, a Japanese soaking tub and gardens designed by the noted Midwestern landscape architect Franz Lipp. Cost is $25 per person.
Just learning how Schaumburg became home to this architectural marvel is an interesting sidebar.
According to Wenger, Schweikher received the seven acres on which the house was built on as payment for a commission to remodel a barn into a house, located just north of the parcel.
"It was the Depression and the client gave Schweikher land in lieu of payment," Wenger says.
Schweikher also likened the house to a "rural farmhouse," Wenger adds, similar to homes owned by other gentlemen farms in the area.
"There must have been a bit of cache about being out of the city of Chicago around this time," Wenger says.
The home's prior owners, Alexander and Martyl Langsdorf, bought it from Schweikher in 1953. They were private people and rarely opened up the house for tours, but they did set up the preservation trust to ensure its future as a work of art.
Schaumburg officials purchased the home in the 1980s, when the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District threatened to acquire the land - and raze the house - through eminent domain. After securing the house, Schaumburg leased it to the Langsdorfs for life.
When Martyl Langsdorf passed away in 2013, the village pledged to heighten its visibility by ramping up programs and tours.
This past year the house has drawn more than 200 visitors, including groups from the Association of Licensed Architects, Illinois Office of Tourism, Meet Chicago Northwest, Brand USA - International Tour Buyers, Eisenhower Public Library, Docomomo U.S. and Pleasant Home Foundation, as well as other individuals and enthusiasts.
For Saturday's tour, advance registration is required. Visit the website schweikherhouse.org/tours, email info@schweikherhouse.org or call Todd Wenger at (847) 923-3866 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.