Take a guided architectural tour of the only synagogue designed by Frank Lloyd Wright with Helene Mansheim of the Beth Sholom Preservation Foundation. Beth Sholom is a work of art in glass and concrete. With its design commemorating Mount Sinai, the towering, light-filled space is a symbol the of faith and undying spirit of the Jewish people and the story of how its congregation is dedicated to preserving the architecture is tale we can all learn from.

Throughout October, Docomomo US/Chicago will be exploring Chicagoland’s fascinating history of shoppingmalls through a walking tour and a pair of virtual presentations. On Wednesday, October 12 at 6 p.m. CST, join us for “Shopping can be a pleasure: Chicagoland Malls, 1916-2000.” This (virtual) trip to Chicagoland’s malls will explore the good, the bad, the demolished, and theunderappreciated. 

When the Whitehall Mall opened in the summer of 1966 it was the first enclosed shopping center in Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia, approximately one hour north. A modern wonder with air-conditioning and heating, it offered an impressive 52 stores, a supermarket, and a 1,000-seat movie theater. The local newspaper reported Whitehall Mall was “a fresh, futuristic outlook on retailing and merchandising.” Despite its popularity by the mid 70’s, the next new thing opened directly across the street in 1976.