Be Mine Valentine
While much has been said about the role Martin Mundis, Jr. played in the construction of the Modernaire Motel, his wife, Charlotte Heagy Mundis, also made her mid-century flare in the interior design of their road-trip Valentine along the Lincoln Highway. The Modernaire Motel was designed to remind the newlyweds of their western road trip as a symbol of their love and devotion to each other.
As her sister-in-law, Winnie Fickes (age 90), recently explained, Charlotte was a dress maker after high school who worked in New York City before her marriage. Winnie remembers Charlotte hand sewing crystal beads, one-by-one on an elegant gown and working as a seamstress in a room in back of the Mundis real estate office in downtown York City. The lip stick red kitchen cabinets in their residence was a pop of mid-century design color that she’ll never forget.
Charlotte mid-century design flare was also evident at the Modernaire Motel. The geometric metal railings behind the check-in counter, glass block windows and bright red original entrance door into the lobby all have Charlotte’s design features. When it opened in 1949, a grand opening advertisement states that the Modernaire Motel was “designed exclusively for tourist and guest accommodations [featuring] modern rooms with radios and private baths – Clean – Cool – Comfortable.” The mid-century furniture in the lobby and rooms expressed the style of the times. It was like a home when traveling away from home. Road trip memories include staying at places that make us feel comfortable.
This Valentine’s Day, we invite you to honor the love that Charlotte and Martin Mundis has for each other, by donating to restore and preserve the Modernaire Motel neon sign. The PA Chapter Lincoln Highway Association and Preservation Pennsylvania are partnering together to raise $15,000 to restore and preserve this iconic neon sign from along the Lincoln Highway. To date, we have raised almost $9,000 towards our goal. Make an on-line donation at On-Line Donation. If you give $100 or more, we’ll show you some love by sending you a Modernaire Motel neon sign t-shirt!
This photo shows her flare for fashion as they traveled to Philadelphia for their wedding day. Happy Valentine’s Day to Charlotte and Martin and ALL Valentine Day lovers of neon out there. Be mine, Valentine!
