populuxe

The 3rd International LUSTRON Conference will be held June 9 2007 in Cedar Rapids IA. The goal of this conference will serve as a catalyst to further the research, education, enjoyment and preservation of the Lustron Home!

You may ask, what is a Lustron home and why are they so special? Lustron homes were made with panels of porcelain enamel coated steel. 2560 Lustrons were constructed by Carl Strandlund and his Lustron Corporation between 1949 and 1950. Due to production delays, bad distribution and escalating prices, the Lustron Corp. delared bankruptcy in 1950.

1800 Lustrons were built in Quantico Virginia. 60 houses remain at the U.S. Marine Corps military base. January 2006, it was announced that the historical homes would be eliminated from the base housing.

Jeannie Lambin, a program officer with the Wisconsin field office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation said, "A strong, well organized group has not emerged that can deal with the massive task of dismantling, storage, and distribution of the homes."

What will happen to these porcelain-clad beauties? Check out the Lustron Homes Conference. Guest speakers include Thomas T. Fetters, author of the book "The Lustron Home - The History of a Postwar Prefabricated Housing Experiment" and Alex James - former Lustron employee (Columbus, Ohio) and author of "An Employee's Perspective of The LUSTRON Home" 'The Real Reason Why Lustron Failed!'.

There will also be a self-guided Lustron home tour.

The 3rd International Lustron Home Conference

Date: Saturday, June 9th, 2007
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Place: The Best Western Longbranch Hotel
Address: 90 Twixt Town Road Northeast
Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402

Reservations: 800.443.7660
To get a room in the block of rooms they have reserved
YOU MUST mention that you are with the LUSTRON CONFERENCE
Special Rates of $74.00 Per Night Apply for Conference Guests.

Best Western Longbranch Hotel Website: www.thelongbranch.com