Today marked a historic moment as a groundbreaking ceremony for the restoration of three iconic buildings in Northwest Indiana kicked off the project.
Berglund Construction, in partnership with G-Force Construction and the National Parks Service, will undertake the restoration of the renowned Bailly Homestead, Good Fellow Camp Lodge, and Century of Progress District’s House of Tomorrow. Last year, the Dunes National Park received approximately $22 million from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund to stabilize and restore these nationally significant historic buildings.
Jeffrey Berglund, President of the Business Division and Chief Growth Officer at Berglund Construction, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the restoration of these local landmarks.
"As a native of Northwest Indiana, I am thankful that the restoration of these local landmarks will ensure residents and visitors can enjoy them for generations to come," said Jeffrey Berglund, President of the Business Division and Chief Growth Officer at Berglund Construction. "Our team is honored to be entrusted with restoring these iconic buildings right in our backyard."
Indiana Landmarks President Marsh Davis joined representatives of Indiana Dunes National Park, federal elected officials’ offices, and the firms overseeing the restoration, bKL Architecture and Berglund Construction, for opening remarks in the hangar located at the ground level of the House of Tomorrow. Media and guests were given an exclusive look inside the second and third floors before the extensive structural repairs and restoration, scheduled for completion in summer 2025.
The full breadth of this historic restoration project across Northwest Indiana includes:
The House of Tomorrow, otherwise known as “America’s First Glass House,” a marvel of modern design constructed for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, will undergo restoration efforts to revitalize this recognizable structure and ensure its preservation for future generations.
The Bailly Homestead, a national historic landmark, holds a rich legacy dating back to the early 19th century. Once home to Honore Gratien Joseph Bailly de Messein, this site played a pivotal role in the development of the Calumet Region of northern Indiana. The restoration project will ensure the building’s structural integrity and also provide enhanced accessibility, energy efficiency, and sustainability upgrades.
The Good Fellow Camp Lodge, originally built by the U.S. Steel Company for its employees' children, is a reminder of the industrial heritage of Northwest Indiana. This summer camp, nestled amidst rolling woodlands along the Little Calumet River, will undergo comprehensive restoration to preserve its unique architectural features and historical significance.
Upon completion, these restored buildings will serve various purposes, including adaptive reuse through leasing, enhancing the National Park Service's offerings, and inviting visitors to connect with the history each embodies. In 2022, over 2.8 million visitors spent an estimated $141 million in local gateway regions, supporting a total of 1,690 jobs and generating $209 million in economic output for local communities.
These historical landmarks and this momentous restoration project have also gained national recognition from Chicago Sun-Times, The Wall Street Journal, Crain’s Chicago Business and Architectural Digest.
