Leisurama's Prefabricated Promise of Mid-Century Vacationing for All

The Montauk Historical Society's 2024 exhibition 'LEISURAMA' at the Carl Fisher House explored the history of Leisurama, a brand of prefabricated vacation homes developed in the 1960s in Culloden Shores, Montauk, New York. Designed by architect Andrew Geller and Raymond Loewy, these homes were sold fully furnished through Macy's department store, embodying postwar promises of middle-class leisure. The exhibition, curated under Executive Director Mia Certic, who herself grew up in an original Leisurama, featured original furnishings and ephemera. Certic shared personal anecdotes about the community's move-in day and the homes' enduring appeal. The story also highlights Paul Sahre's 2008 book 'Leisurama Now: The Beach House for Everyone 1964-', which documented the homes through photographs by Michael Northrup, inspired by Ed Ruscha's work. The book and exhibition underscore the cultural significance of these homes as symbols of postwar American optimism and the creation of lasting communities.