1840 Oak Street – Town of Tomorrow House
This house comes from the 1939 N.Y. Worlds Fair exhibit “Town of Tomorrow House“. That exhibit featured 21 different houses. This design is called the “Dual Duty”.
An article in the Sarasota-Herald Tribune dated October 12,941 states “434 Oak Street is a duplication of the first demonstration home in the “Town of Tomorrow” at the New York World’s Fair”. Built for less than $5,000 dollars for the J.F. Cosby family, this one story “dual duty” frame vernacular house was designed so each room would serve multiple functions. French windows and doors, and double hung windows along with two porches provided light and air at a time when air conditioning was non-existent. A dining alcove demonstrated the early advent of the ope floor plan. The all-electric kitchen was equipped efficiently with built in storage and shelving.
Abstracts dated 1939 for this property show it was acquired through foreclosure from the City of Sarasota by Fred Cosby and his wife Maysel and specifically state that any conveyance must exclude non-Caucasians. The 1940 census lists Mr. Cosby’s occupation as “clery farmer”, likely a typographical error for celery. Records show that the mortgage was refinanced annually to pay for crop planting. When Fred and Maysel divorced in 1954, the property was deeded to Henry Moore, and again 10 years later to Marie Selby, both times for the consideration of ten dollars.
Text from the World’s Fair brochure of the “Dual Duty House”
This highly practical small home has been developed under the planning theory that each room-even the garage-shall have a multiple function contributing to the convenience and comfort of modern domestic life.
This plan represents a comprehensive study by the architect which has been based on a nation-wide survey carried out through the National Home Builders Bureau (572 Madison Avenue, New York). Toward the accomplishment of this plan the sponsoring manufacturers, as listed herein, have in many instances developed special groups of their materials or equipment, striving to present nationally available “packages” at reasonable prices and seeking always to place within the reach of the public a practical small home for those who can afford a “buyer’s rental” of a maximum of $45.00 per month.
The cost of this house, depending on the completeness of the equipment, should not exceed approximately $5,000. In many parts of the United States ft can probably be built for less. In view of the many functions of each part of the plan it really represents the moderate cost home of the immediate tomorrow. The plan of this house features a definitely new mode for modern living in that it develops the idea of “Dual Duty” rooms. The considered opinion of the Bureau as indicated by this plan is that a small home of today may in a variety of function and extension of comfort contain several times the efficiency of similar sized homes of 50 years ago.
The American home building public, even in the most modest homes, is not satisfied with minimum standards. The home owner demands more than shelter, requiring that even within a modest budget a small house with the aid of modern planning and available equipment shall contain most of the features of comfort and efficiency heretofore found only in larger and more expensive residences. In developing this plan every effort has been made to create a simple-to-run house. Even though each dual duty room must perform several functions it must at no time become overcrowded by conflict of function. Cost of operation and repair must be kept at a minimum-housework as much as possible must be eliminated or simplified from the viewpoint of domestic efficiency.
In this plan the living room combines the function of several rooms in one. It is at once a living room, a library, a music room and because of the wall-high windows at one end it is a practical solarium.
The sizable ell in this room also serves as a dining alcove and can be used as the study at other times. Specially designed built-in furniture is the key to these various functions.
The master bedroom contains a compact convenience wall which serves to provide an ultra-modern sewing room and domestic office. This wall is furnished with a sewing machine, ironing board, mirrors, files, drawers, cabinets, typewriter stand, telephone and other necessary equipment for the conduct of the modern home. The bedroom contains three large closets, one of them carrying a clothes rod a full seven feet above the floor for long dresses. Another closet opens to the second bedroom, which is ideally planned as a child’s room to function as a scientifically developed nursery, or this room can be used as a guest room. The bathroom in addition to modern sanitary installations contains full equipment of medicine closets and ample closet space.
Like most modern small homes this house has no cellar but a complete utility room provides space for heating equipment, home laundry or by simple adjustments can serve as a photographer’s dark room. Between the utility room and the entrance cloak closet is a passage offering access to the garage. A telephone may be located in this passage. In keeping with the Dual Duty Room idea the garage is intended to serve also as a recreation and sports room. It is heated, its floor and walls are attractively finished, it may house a work bench, equipment for sports, etc. The streamlined kitchen is designed for efficiency and ease of housekeeping. The paved terrace with wide overhanging roof functions as an inviting porch.
The development of the Dual Duty rooms as here exemplified represents an outstanding advance in the effort to create the type of small home which offers facilities for the “new mode for better living.” Major sponsors are listed on the front cover and details as to products used in this house are presented here. Literature on all these products and services is available by addressing the manufacturer or the National Home Builders Bureau. All lighting is planned in accordance with the standards of the National Better Light-Better Sight Bureau, and electric wiring and wiring devices are installed under the standard specifications of the National Adequate Wiring Bureau.
Furnishings and decorations have been carried out by Bloomingdale Brothers, Inc., 59th Street at Lexington Avenue, New York, from whom prices and full information can be had.