Indiana’s Historic Landmarks Foundation: Preserving the past for the future
Published: Oct 6, 2009
Early in 1960, concerned by the increasing destruction of historic buildings in Indianapolis, a small circle of civic leaders, led by businessman and philanthropist Eli Lilly, founded the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. It now ranks as the largest private statewide preservation group in the United States, with more than 11,000 members and an endowment surpassing $40 million.
With an Indianapolis headquarters and nine regional offices staffed by professionals who help Hoosiers save and restore old buildings throughout the state, the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana is celebrating its restoration of the headquarters building after a spring 2009 fire in an adjacent building significantly damaged it and caused the temporary dislocation of foundation staff.
The restored building, first constructed in 1879 by businessman Charles J. Kuhn, is now the Williamson Center and will also become home to staff from the foundation’s Central Regional Office, who are relocating from the 1873 Kemper House.
The Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana mission is to:
- save and protect buildings and places of architectural and historical significance;
- lead and help individuals, organizations, and communities in preserving, adapting and revitalizing Indiana's endangered landmarks;
- educate the public, restores buildings, advocates preservation, and provides financial support for preservation efforts, and
- help enrich contemporary life and leave a legacy of landmarks.
The foundation maintains a network of regional offices around the state; provides grants and loans to nonprofit organizations; gives advice on tax credits for preservation; provides technical assistance and advocacy; maintains and publicizes an annual “10 Most Endangered” programs of historic buildings at risk; and provides numerous programs, publications, tours and workshops.
The foundation's work over nearly five decades has helped to save numerous historic legal and cultural buildings, bridges and other landmarks throughout the state. It works with a wide variety of cultural and civic preservation initiatives, including the Indiana National Road Association, which helps to preserve landmarks along the old U.S. Highway 40 corridor.
The foundation provides numerous individual, group and school tours of famous landmarks all over Indianapolis, including the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, the Indiana war memorials, the central canal and historic downtown. Details are available in the Tour section of the foundation’s web site.
- by Jim Brown , Indianapolis Reporter for HelloMetro
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