Few people understand just how far downtown Indianapolis has come over the last five decades than Marjorie Kienle. Kienle not only experienced the remake of Indianapolis’ downtown, but she rolled up her sleeves and helped make it happen.

To honor all of her work, Indiana Landmarks is presenting Kienle with its 2026 Williamson Prize for outstanding leadership in historic preservation.

The Columbus, Ohio-native moved to Indianapolis with her husband – the late James Kienle, an architect and preservationist – in 1975 when his firm won the contract to develop a master plan for the Indiana State Capitol complex. They wanted a house within walking or biking distance of his office and found the perfect place in Lockerbie Square.

At the time, the neighborhood was scarred by vacant lots and boarded-up homes marked with demolition numbers. Undaunted by the nay-sayers who told them Lockerbie wasn’t safe, the Kienles bought an 1872 Carpenter Gothic-style house that Indiana Landmarks had relocated to a vacant lot to save it from demolition and embarked on a DIY renovation, despite the lack of running water. Alongside other determined neighbors, they helped spark Lockerbie Square’s revival. Marjorie supported the neighborhood’s continuing renewal by twice serving as president of the neighborhood association.

Kienle credits her husband with shaping her appreciation for historic places, starting with early dates to visit “smelly old buildings” and continuing with their hands-on restoration of three historic houses.

“Early on, we really had to fight to educate people as to why it was important to save buildings,” recalls Kienle. “We’ve come a long way in gaining acceptance for preservation, but there’s still work to be done to convince people not to tear old buildings down.”

A speech-language pathologist, Kienle developed preservation expertise through hands-on work and by attending conferences hosted by the American Institute of Architects and National Trust for Historic Preservation, where she saw how communities around the country repurpose and sustain historic places. She gained additional insights managing Jim’s preservation architecture practice for seven years, serving as president of Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapolis (HUNI), and as a member of Indiana Landmarks’ Real Estate Committee.

For more than a decade, Kienle has worked with HUNI and the Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations on initiatives to keep Indianapolis attractive and competitive, including fighting the intrusion of digital billboards into historic neighborhoods. After learning of a proposed signage plan in 2015, Marjorie spent her Thanksgiving holiday emailing every member of the Indianapolis City-County Council to voice her concerns. Her efforts helped return the issue to the council, which ultimately passed an ordinance banning digital billboards.

“Marjorie is tenacious, energetic, and articulate. She does her homework and has the ability to lead people, help them understand the issues and the process, and change minds,” says Marsh Davis, the past president of Indiana Landmarks who collaborated with Kienle on a variety of preservation issues.

“You’ve heard the phrase, ‘You don’t mess with Mother Nature?’ When it comes to local preservation, you don’t mess with Marjorie Kienle,” said Davis.

In 2017, after the Indiana Department of Transportation proposed reconstructing and expanding Interstates 65 and 70 through downtown Indianapolis, Kienle organized community leaders to call for a review. Their efforts led to a better design that reduced barrier walls and prohibited new lanes within eight historic districts. The coalition also launched the Rethink Coalition, a nonprofit that advocates for recessed interstates and reconnected neighborhoods in central Indiana.

Kienle will be honored as part of Indiana Landmarks’ annual meeting on Sept. 12.

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Marjorie Kienle’s contributions to historic preservation in Indianapolis

• Restored three historic homes
• Served two terms as president of the Lockerbie Square neighborhood association
• Served as president of Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapolis (HUNI)
• Served as member of Indiana Landmarks’ Real Estate Committee
• Worked with HUNI and the Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations on initiatives to keep Indianapolis attractive and competitive, including fighting the intrusion of digital billboards into historic neighborhoods
• Organized community leaders to call for a review of INDOT’s plan to reconstruct and expand Interstates 65 and 70 through downtown. The efforts led to a better design that reduced barrier walls and prohibited new lanes within eight historic districts
• Co-founded the Rethink Coalition, a nonprofit that advocates for recessed interstates and reconnected neighborhoods in central Indiana

MEDIA CONTACT:

Mindi Woolman, Indiana Landmarks, 317-639-4534, mwoolman@indianalandmarks.org

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The Williamson Prize honors the impactful career of Indiana Landmarks’ Past President Reid Williamson Jr., who championed local preservation organizations and using restoration to revitalize communities. The prize includes a sculpture by the late Evansville artist John McNaughton and a $1,000 cash award. Kienle will be honored as part of Indiana Landmarks’ annual meeting in Indianapolis on Sept. 12.

Indiana Landmarks revitalizes communities, strengthens connections to our diverse heritage, and saves meaningful places. With nine offices located throughout the state, Indiana Landmarks helps people rescue endangered landmarks and restore historic neighborhoods and downtowns. People who join Indiana Landmarks receive its bimonthly magazine, Indiana Preservation. For more information on the not-for-profit organization, call 317-639-4534, 800-450-4534, or visit www.indianalandmarks.org.