‘Mad Men’ style mid-century modern rancher in Hershey for $675K: Cool Spaces

A stylish mid-century modern ranch home designed in 1959 sits on a corner lot in Hershey.

Photos of the home recently circulated on a few mid-century modern Facebook groups receiving thousands of likes and comments: “Now the Brady Bunch song is playing in my head,” said one woman. “This looks like the home of the Jetsons,” said another.

Marlin and Eva Umberger had lived in the home since 1959. Eva passed away earlier this year and Marlin in 2019.

Marlin was an esteemed builder in the Hershey area for over 40 years. His ability to add unique touches to his properties is on full display at 427 Maple Avenue.

Marlin did not only limit himself to home construction and remodeling, but also built timeless furniture and home décor. His style incorporated elements of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, whom he greatly admired.

The home is in immaculate condition and almost seems like it is frozen in time.

Eva’s nephew told a story about the formal family room: “I have visited that home since I was a small child and was not permitted to step foot in that room until I was in my 50′s, NOBODY was permitted in that room other than Marlin and Eva.” She (Eva) cleaned every window in that home once a week along with all of the interior stone walls.”

A focal area is a sunken family room with a stone wood burning fireplace and a large bay window with lots of natural light. The room also has built-in speakers, as does the rest of the house.

Adjacent to the family room is a spacious one-of-a-kind room with a vaulted and beamed ceiling, wood covered walls and a unique built-in desk that could be used as an office or bedroom.

A beautifully designed floating staircase near the kitchen leads down to the finished lower level which boasts a large 40×14-foot recreation room, a spacious sunken family room with brick fireplace and built-in storage, a full bath, and a carpeted bonus room.

This home is listed for $675,000 by Lusk & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty in Lancaster.

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