Leisurama

PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):

Monday, July 4, at midnight
Thursday, July 7, at 5 PM
Sunday, July 10, at noon

Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):

Friday, July 22, at 7 PM 
Saturday, July 30, at 8 PM

The vacation culture of the late 1950s and early 1960s has become a unique slice of Cold War period Americana. On July 24, 1959, Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev spent hours publicly debating cultural ideology at the American National Exhibit in Moscow. What was the catalyst of this argument? An all-American kitchen, designed by architect Andrew Geller and Raymon Loewy Associates. 

The Moscow House became the prototype for a 1963 housing development dubbed “Leisurama.” A full-scale model of the house was built on the ninth floor of Macy’s Herald Square store in Manhattan. The homes were to be built in Montauk, NY, and came fully furnished down to the toothbrush. Some models sold for $12,995. The marketing approach was genius. 

The Leisurama story is one of ambition, creative marketing and a desire to leave the daily grind behind and escape to a fun, playful utopia.