Goodman75 Celebrations 2026

Overview

Wheaton is home to about 20+ houses built by the cutting-edge modern architect, Charles Goodman in 1951. Glenmont Forest Neighbors Civic Association (GFNCA) is hosting a series of free events and activities throughout 2026 celebrating 75 years of Charles Goodman Mid-Century Modern homes, life, culture, history and the growth of Wheaton/Glenmont/Kensington over the decades in Montgomery County.

The events, held throughout the year, will include:

house tours,
art workshops,
a speaker's series,
a 50's style Sock Hop dance, and
annual block party with art exhibition and oral histories

Stay tuned for more details.

Got ideas, want to participate...Contact us at goodman75th@gmail.com.

Background on Charles Goodman homes

Charles Goodman, architect, brought modern housing to Montgomery County. Called "the most elegant" builder of the local post-World War Two housing boom. his signature “walls of glass” of asymmetrical window grids and fireplace as sculpture reflect the optimism and openness of Mid-Century Modernism. His belief was that contemporary design should be accessible to a wide range of incomes. Charles Goodman focused on creating affordable cutting-edge modern homes in the post-war era. He chose materials, such as glass, and used them in new ways, incorporating nature. The design is still very viable today and remains in the price range of starter homes in Wheaton.

This project invites you to explore and interpret the historic cluster of Montgomery County's 181+ Charles Goodman Mid-Century Modern homes represented in the Wheaton/Glenmont/Kensington areas. Wheaton is unique in its scattered cluster of homes, integrated into the community. Residents/owners are representative of our diverse neighborhood.

Join us at the Next Upcoming Event

Walking House Tour: Saturday, April 18 Time: 2:00 pm

Wheaton Crest: guided neighborhood walking house tour in the Glenmont Forest and Wheaton Hills community. We will be walking by and viewing some of the 20+ Goodman homes in the area. Streets include Henderson, Ivanhoe, and Harris. A short walk approximately 1 mile.

If interested in joining us, please preregister at goodman75th@gmail.com

Map, handouts and registration form coming soon. We hope to engage with some of the resident homeowners to learn why the Goodman homes are important to them.

Planned Events and Activities

goodman75th@gmail.com

· House Tours

o Types: Walking/Exteriors (free)

Registration requested

o By Local Areas/Clusters

§ Wheaton Crest: GFNCA & Wheaton Hills area (a selection of the 27 homes)

· Spring: Saturday, April 18

· Marina Callahan, artist and Goodman resident as coordinator

§ Hammond Wood: Connecticut/Viers Mill area (a selection of the 58 homes)

· Fall: Saturday, September 19

· Pam Schaeffer realtor and Goodman resident as coordinator

§ Others as volunteers and time permit

· Hammond Hill: Viers Mill East area (20 homes)

· Rock Creek Woods: Connecticut Ave West (76 homes) (Laura-Leigh is a Resident)

· Takoma Park

· Historic & Architectural Stories

o Presentations by a local panel of experts on Goodman homes History and Architecture

o Panel of Architect, Historians, Residents: Possible speakers may include Mary Means, Sarah Reeder, Gwen Wright, Eric Hill, Pam Schaeffer and others sharing oral histories

o Approximately 1-to-1.5-hour events @ Wheaton Recreation Center

Spring event coming in May will focus on history, architecture and culture.

Fall event coming in October will feature the residents sharing oral histories, photographs, and the sense of pride and community cohesion living in a Goodman cluster of homes.

o Free to attendees

· Arts Workshops

o Marcie Wolf Hubbard: instructing attendees to build 3D “tiny house” versions of Goodman homes (free to participants) @ Wheaton Recreation Center Art Room

2 sets of workshops:

· Spring: Saturday, April 25 (found materials)

· Fall: Saturdays September 26 and October 3 (encaustic)

o Goodman Cutout(s)

o Photo collages

o Exhibits at annual GFNCA block party and Montgomery History Center

o Free to attendees

· Mid Century 50’s-style Sock Hop Dance Party

o Dress appropriately/grab your old clothes from the back of your (or your parent’s) closet

o Wheaton American Legion

o Date: Friday, September 25 featuring the Rock-a-Sonics band

o Free to attendees

o Cash bar and menu available

o Room decorations to include 50’s memorabilia and photos supplied by Montgomery History and others

· Annual GFNCA Block Party Celebration activities

o Maryland 250 and Goodman75 activities

o Display Tiny Houses from art workshops

o Host oral histories