A rare glimpse

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.

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