2026 Conference Agenda

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Tuesday, September 29

Early Access Workshops
Locations vary. Please see individual listings.

Section 106 Training
9 a.m. – Noon
Franklin City Hall, 70 E. Monroe Street
Pre-registration required. Lunch on your own.

Learn about the Section 106/Environmental Review process from DHPA staff. Participants will also review resources contained in the Indiana State Historic Architectural & Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD) and the Indiana Historic Buildings, Bridges, and Cemeteries (IHBBC) Map. Speakers: Indiana Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA) Staff

Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program (CAMP)
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Johnson County Museum of History, 135 N. Main Street
$10 pre-registration required. Lunch included.

Discover best practices and how to increase the effectiveness of local preservation commissions. The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions stages CAMP with a faculty of skilled preservation professionals. Topics include three foundational topics and three additional topics that every commissioner and staff need to know, with the opportunity to meet and interact with other commissions.

Participation in this session qualifies for continuing education credit for Certified Local Government (CLG) communities.

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Johnson County Public Library, Franklin Branch, 401 State Street
$30 pre-registration required. Lunch included.

Explore how Main Street communities can better support local entrepreneurs and ensure everyone has a seat at the table. This interactive workshop shares the building blocks of strong, inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems in traditional downtowns. Through facilitated discussion and real-world examples, participants identify common barriers to starting and growing businesses and learn practical strategies to overcome them. The workshop highlights approaches to strengthen local policies, expand outreach to underrepresented entrepreneurs, and create more supportive business environments. Participants will leave with adaptable tools, fresh ideas, and insights from peers working to build more resilient and equitable Main Street economies. Speaker: Jonathan Stone, Program Officer, Main Street America

Sponsored by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs

Historic Preservation Law Workshop
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Franklin City Hall, 70 E. Monroe Street
$10 pre-registration required.

Learn about current and emerging issues in historic preservation law. Topics include recent and forthcoming changes to Section 106 and NEPA, new state laws affecting historic preservation, and a discussion of Constitutional law, including takings, due process, and the First Amendment. The speaker will review recent cases litigated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in connection with each topic. Speaker: Chris Cody, Associate General Counsel, National Trust for Historic Preservation

Conference Meet-Up
5 – 7 p.m.
RFD Franklin Event Center (55 W. Madison Street)

Kick off the conference by reconnecting and networking at RFD Franklin Event Center, a rehabilitated post office in downtown Franklin. The c. 1936 post office later served as Franklin’s City Hall but was vacant for ten years following the 2008 flood. Attendees can enjoy a Taste of Franklin featuring samplings from multiple Franklin restaurants while mingling with fellow attendees.

 

Wednesday, September 30

Preservation Workforce Networking Event
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Find your fit within the field of preservation. This is an opportunity for students and early career professionals to network with a curated group of professionals. Participants will make enduring connections and explore many aspects of the field, including a variety of roles within public, private, and nonprofit employers.

Educational Sessions
9 – 10:15 a.m.

Recent Canal Archaeology in Indiana

Recent archaeological research is transforming interpretations of Indiana’s historic canal landscapes, particularly the Wabash & Erie Canal. This session features recent studies illuminating the canal’s engineering, use, and lived environments. Speakers will emphasize archaeological surveys and excavations at canal-adjacent domestic and commercial sites, revealing canals as dynamic cultural landscapes shaped by immigrant labor, industrial technology, and daily life. Through the integration of emerging data and analytical techniques, the session demonstrates how modern canal archaeology is advancing understandings of infrastructure, community dynamics, and landscape change in Indiana. Speakers: James Heimlich, Founder, Heimlich Consulting; Chris Moore, Department of Anthropology, University of Indianapolis

Curtain Call for the Past, Opening Night for the Future

Historic theaters are complex, living buildings that must serve artists, audiences, and their communities while honoring the past. This session examines preservation-forward master planning at two iconic Indiana venues: Hilbert Circle Theatre and the Indiana Repertory Theatre. Through complementary case studies, participants will explore how differing goals shape distinct strategies—from outward-focused audience engagement and acoustics to inward improvements in production spaces—demonstrating how thoughtful preservation balances restoration and adaptation to sustain vibrant, relevant theaters. Speakers: Joseph Jarzen, Client Liaison, Schmidt Associates; Stephanie Hays-Mussoni, Vice President of Development, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra; Suzanne Sweeney, Managing Director, Indiana Repertory Theatre

This session qualifies for 1.5 AIA credit hour.

Marketing Your Historic Sites

Do you find yourself thinking “I’ve created such amazing experiences at my historic site, if only I could get people in the door?” Do you hear from people that they’ve lived in Indiana forever, but never heard of your site, or that they learned of your event the day after it happened, and would have come if they’d known? This session shares research from the Indiana Tourism Association’s studies on what type of pictures sell a tourism site best and covers how to write press releases that win your site the free publicity it deserves. It also touches on connecting with local media, and how AI is disrupting the tourism industry. Speakers: Janice Barniak, Executive Director, Vincennes/Knox County Tourism; Brian Sheehan, Business Development Manager with HWC Engineering

Educational Sessions
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

What Lies Beneath: Archaeological Heritage Tourism in Indiana

Archaeological sites are an often-overlooked aspect of historic preservation and heritage tourism. Without archaeological preservation and interpretation, history pre-dating the oldest existing historic structures is largely invisible. This session explores archaeological sites in Indiana that have been successfully preserved, protected, and developed for interpretation, along with the potential they have in heritage tourism for Indiana. Speakers will also cover the partnerships and strategies employed in these efforts and the various interpretive technologies and tools that allow visitors to explore and learn. Speakers: Colby Bartlett, Director, Ouiatenon Preserve; Christy Brocken, Historic Resource Manager, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation; Mike Lindermann, Western Regional Director, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

Holy Hoosier Heritage: Identifying, Mapping, and Experimentally Testing Historic Churches in Indiana

The stewardship of historic sacred places is essential to preserving community identity, yet aging buildings, limited funding, climate impacts, and declining congregations pose growing challenges. This session highlights a multi-phase initiative led by the University of Notre Dame and the University of Auckland, in partnership with Sacred Places Indiana, to map historic sites, develop practical maintenance guidance, and test strategies for stabilizing severely deteriorated churches. Speakers: Stephen Hartley, Associate Professor School of Architecture; Morgan Palmer, Graduate Student; Kevin Walsh, Associate Teaching Professor and Director, Master of Engineering Program, University of Notre Dame

This session qualifies for 1.5 AIA credit hours

Do No Harm: Crafting a Preservation Program for Beginners

When community activists, Main Streets, and other civic organizations encounter preservation regulations abruptly, policies and procedures that seem standard in the preservation world can be incorrectly viewed as antithetical to community development. This session offers the “why” behind preservation policies and standards and explores useful resources preservationists can use to support the growing social networks of the preservation movement. Participants will leave with strategies to implement positive preservation programming and messaging in their communities. This session is designed for Main Street groups, students, and new preservationists. Speakers: Glenn Faris, Main Street Program Manager/ODAN Specialist; Gerry White, Northwest Senior Community Liaison and Team Lead, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs

This session qualifies for 1.5 Realtor credit hours

Lunch & Welcome
Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Our conference headquarters began in the 1920s as the Varynit Mills Garment Factory that later made clothing for the US military and even the basketball uniforms in Hoosiers. Now an event center in downtown Franklin, enjoy lunch as you reconnect with friends, catch up with colleagues, and build new professional connections.

After a welcome by Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett and Festival Country Indiana Executive Director Kenneth Kosky, join Franklin historians Glenn Faris and David Pfeiffer as they share the story of Franklin from a swampy settlement to a twenty-first century downtown destination. Rob Shilts and Krista Linke next introduce the story and reactivation of the Historic Artcraft Theatre, where attendees will have the opportunity to experience during the conference.

Speakers: The Honorable Steve Barnett; Mayor of Franklin; Kenneth Kosky, Executive Director, Festival Country Indiana; Glenn Faris, Main Street Program Manager/ODAN Specialist, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs; David Pfeiffer, Executive Director, Johnson County Museum of History; Rob Shilts, Executive Director, Franklin Heritage, Inc.; Krista Linke, Community Development Directory, City of Franklin

Educational Sessions
2:15 – 3:30 p.m.

Engaging Communities in Archaeology: Innovative Paths to Participation

How do we open the door to meaningful public participation in archaeology, and what happens when we do? This session explores innovative, community centered approaches to making archaeology accessible and meaningful for all. Presenters will share insights from Indy‑ology, a hands-on youth and public engagement program developed during the Greenlawn Cemetery excavation. The Archaeological Research Institute will share strategies for building authentic public connections, using tools to create welcoming, empowering experiences. Together, these case studies offer practical, scalable methods for fostering participation, stewardship, and long‑term investment in Indiana’s cultural heritage. Speakers: Jordan Ryan, City-County Archivist, City of Indianapolis; Louis Herzner, Archaeology Coordinator and Director of VALOR, Archaeological Research Institute; Rachel Sharkey, Director of Public Archaeology, Archaeological Research Institute

Commemoration and Reinvention: Preservation & Inclusive Storytelling in Post-Industrial Communities

The process of reimagining former industrial sites frequently excludes the stories of how industry workers, surrounding communities, and broader economic dynamics contributed to their significance. This session explores approaches to infuse public history into preservation efforts, developing commemorative landscapes that strive to tell the stories of typically unheard voices, using case studies from Chicago’s Packingtown Museum, the Calumet Heritage Area, and the nation’s 250th anniversary. Speakers: Carolee Kokola, Director of Enterprise Operations, Bubbly Dynamics, LLC; Martin Minner, Senior Historian, Dimension History, LLC; Gwen Stricker, Preservationist, Nurture Architects

The Façade Effect: Preservation, Revitalization, and Downtown Momentum

Since 2011, Franklin has completed more than 110 historic downtown façade restorations through a highly collaborative, hands-on approach. This session explores how building owners, business owners, and local contractors work together to achieve high-quality outcomes. Presenters will highlight the coordinated efforts of local organizations to ensure compliance with design guidelines while advancing preservation goals and strengthening the character and economic vitality of the downtown district. Speakers: Danny Causey, Executive Director, Discover Downtown Franklin; Krista Linke, Community Development Director, City of Franklin; Rob Shilts, Executive Director, Franklin Heritage Inc.

This session qualifies for 1.5 AIA and Realtor credit hours.

Educational Sessions
3:45 – 5 p.m.

Supporting the Mission Through People: Volunteer Management Strategies for Museums and Historic Sites

Volunteers are essential to the success of museums and historic sites, yet recruiting, engaging, and retaining them remains an ongoing challenge. This session explores scalable, practical, and mission-driven strategies organizations can use to build sustainable and inclusive volunteer programs. Drawing on real-world examples, participants will examine factors that influence volunteer satisfaction, learn low-cost methods for recognition and communication, and explore ways to evaluate volunteer program effectiveness to foster long-term engagement. Speakers: Stephanie Ertel, Director of Education and Engagement, Crown Hill Foundation; Kristin Kraemer, Manager of Volunteer Services, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

SHAARD Updates and Best Practices

Earlier this year, DHPA staff released SHAARD 2.0, an updated version of the State’s Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database, along with a new version of the companion Indiana Historic Buildings, Bridges, and Cemeteries GIS map. Join DHPA staff as they highlight recent improvements, showcase new features and functionality, and provide tips and best practices for utilizing these resources for structural and archaeological environmental review projects and historic research. Archaeology staff will also walk through the process of the new portal for archaeology users and provide instruction on how to submit archaeology sites and reports directly to SHAARD. Speakers: Danielle Kauffmann, Director of Engagement; Caitlin Lehman, Historic Structures Reviewer; Beth McCord, Director, Indiana Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology

The Hidden Trade-Off: Short-Term Rentals, Downtown Momentum, and Historic District Health

Short-term rentals are rarely a simple preservation issue. In many historic downtowns, they bring reinvestment, visibility, and new life—while quietly introducing instability, stewardship gaps, and operational strain. This session reframes the conversation as a momentum tradeoff rather than a yes/no policy debate, drawing from real downtown and Main Street examples using a practical lens to evaluate when it supports preservation goals versus undermining historic district health. Attendees will explore how concentration affects ownership patterns, volunteer capacity, neighborhood function, and how to structure clearer, less polarized conversations. This session is designed for preservationists and downtown leaders navigating pressure to “allow everything” without losing what makes historic districts durable. Speaker: Erik Reader, President, Reader Area Development, Inc.

This session qualifies for 1.5 APA & Realtor credit hours.

Open House at Madison Street Salvage
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
350 E. Madison Street

Following a devastating flood in 2008, Franklin Heritage, Inc. stepped in to salvage reusable materials, offering much needed materials for historic property owners. Visit the salvage shop whose income supports FHI’s preservation work and the Historic Artcraft Theatre, during these special open house hours for Conference participants.

Midweek Music Series at the Historic Artcraft Theatre
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., Show begins at 7:30 p.m.
57 N. Main Street
Free admission with conference badge

Spend your evening at the Historic Artcraft Theatre for their Midweek Music Series during Preserving Historic Places. This event focuses on movies with outstanding musical performances, artist documentaries, biopics, or soundtracks.

Thursday, October 1

Educational Sessions
9 – 10:15 a.m.

Beck’s Mill: Reimagining the Past in the Present

When Beck’s Mill was built, its core purpose was economical; yet it also served as a meeting place for neighboring farmers to trade knowledge and exchange news. Today the Mill continues to function as a museum providing a window into the past and as a tourist attraction, research site and event venue. Over the past five+ years, Indiana University has partnered with the Friends of Becks Mill through its Sustaining Hoosier Communities program where documentary students created short films at and about Beck’s Mill. Learn about this collaboration, its goals, processes, outcomes, and benefits and how these videos illustrate how to preserve, teach, and reenvision historic places. Speakers: Remas Alanazi, Graduate Student, Indiana University; Lee Durham, Graduate Student, Indiana University; Judy Quinlin, Event Coordinator, The Friends of Beck’s Mill

Wiicimiihkimomaataawi! ‘Let’s work together!’ Collaborating with Tribes in Heritage Tourism

Explore how the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and Strawtown Koteewi Park have partnered to develop heritage tourism initiatives rooted in respect, reciprocity, and tribal sovereignty, examining how organizations can work with federally recognized tribes to develop culturally appropriate and respectful programs that honor Indigenous histories, traditions, and shared connections to place. Learn what goes into relationship building, and how meaningful partnerships lead to successful work navigating sensitive cultural content and creating beneficial experiences. The conversation around relationship building addresses Strawtown Koteewi Park’s harmful past and the work it has taken to build a collaborative future. This session emphasizes listening, accountability, and mutual respect as foundational principles for successful and responsible heritage tourism. Speakers: Christy Brocken, Historic Resource Manager, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation; Morgan Lippert, Curator of Exhibitions and Programming, Myaamia Heritage Museum and Archives; Logan York, THPO, Miami Tribe of Oklahoma

Leveraging Diverse Resources for Main Street Revitalization in New Castle

Discover how New Castle leveraged diverse resources to achieve their designation as the 2023 PreservINg Main Street Community, resulting in a $2 million investment from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs into the New Castle Commercial Historic District. From an initial partnership to spark enthusiasm in the community through the lengthy design process, and finally construction, this project required close communication and collaboration between the City of New Castle, New Castle Main Street, building, design team, and contractors. Participants will hear from those directly involved in the project and learn strategies and opportunities to implement revitalization in their communities. Speakers: JP Hall, Director, Center for Historic Preservation, Ball State University; Emily Hurst, Executive Director, New Castle Main Street, Inc.; Laurel Tobin, Senior Preservationist & Designer, Architectural Revivalist, Inc.

This session qualifies for 1.5 APA & Realtor credit hours.

Plenary Session
10:45 a.m. – Noon
Valuing Vision: Enhancing the Presence of the Past

American historic preservation is often viewed as being like a fly caught in amber, constrained by past practices, policies, and the perception that all change is inherently bad; a moribund movement encapsulated by nostalgia. As the modern movement approaches its centenary in 2035, there is value in revisiting how the endeavor was established and how it has evolved over the last nine decades. This session outlines the course of American historic preservation with an emphasis on individuals whose vision, creativity, and perseverance helped to craft the criteria that have saved diverse spaces and enhanced the presence of the past. Speaker: John H. Sprinkle, Jr., Ph.D., Associate Adjunct Professor, School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, University of Maryland

Session sponsored by the Cornelius O’Brien Lecture Series Concerning Historic Preservation. Free and open to the public.

Lunch On Your Own
Noon – 2 p.m.

Educational Sessions
2 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

The Rise and Fall of the Mid-Century Branch Bank in Indiana

Indiana has made strides in preserving mid-century modern homes and churches, yet another vulnerable type remains: the small branch bank. Impacted by consolidation and online banking, many stand vacant and at risk. This session examines distinctive examples of these buildings and explores how their design and locations can support creative reuse, transforming underutilized structures into community assets through thoughtful planning and preservation strategies. Speaker: James DeGrazia, Engineer, AccuBurn, Inc.; Kyle Kingen, Art and Design Historian

Indiana Main Street 2026: Strengthening the Ecosystem Together

Presenters will deliver a fast-paced look back at 2026 and an exciting launch in 2027 as we roll forward with the momentum of the new Indiana Main Street strategic plan and OCRA’s Strategic Plan. This lively session invites Main Street leaders to share real-time insights, amplify community needs, and help shape the next wave of support across Indiana. Together, we’ll spark new ideas, strengthen connections, and accelerate the impact of every Main Street’s journey. Speakers: Tereasa Camin, Indiana Main Street Senior Program Manager, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs; Megan Zarazee, Chief Operating Officer, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs; Jackie Swihart, Director of Network Capacity, Main Street America

This session is recommended for Main Street leaders and volunteers who are active in Main Street activities.

Selling the Story: Marketing Historic Downtown and Home Renovation to Inspire Donors and Buyers

Historic renovation isn’t just about restoring buildings; it’s about telling a story that inspired action. This session focuses on how to market historic renovation projects to attract donors, engage communities, and appeal to potential homebuyers, led by two practitioners who actively work in restoration, neighborhood revitalization and real estate marketing. Presenters will use a real renovation project to demonstrate donor messaging, community updates, and buyer-focused marketing. Participants will learn how to identify key story elements, select effective visuals, and choose platforms that align with their goals and audiences. Speakers: Roxie Deer, Executive Director, Richmond Neighborhood Restoration; Kevin Shook, Owner, Global Media Enterprise

This session qualifies for 1.5 Realtor credit hours.

Educational Sessions
3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

The Digital Shift: Updates to National Register Nominations

As the National Register of Historic Places transitions to fully digital submissions, this session introduces key updates to the nomination process and its integration with accessibility standards. DHPA staff will outline Indiana’s move to a digital portal, including how to prepare and package forms, photographs, maps, and supporting materials for DHPA review. Speakers will also share common nomination challenges, along with important program updates and guidance. While open to all, this session is especially valuable for professionals who prepare National Register nominations. Speakers: Paul Diebold, Assistant Director of Preservation Services; Holly Tate, Architectural Historian; Jamie Reeder, Preservation Specialist, Indiana Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology

Preservation by Design: Making Zoning Work for Historic Places

Zoning quietly shapes the future of our historic places—but too often, outdated regulations make preservation harder than it needs to be. When development rules don’t reflect historic patterns or building types, communities are forced to rely on one-off exceptions that rarely deliver lasting solutions. This session explores how zoning can become a powerful tool for preservation rather than a barrier using real examples from Indianapolis’ historic districts. Speakers will share lessons from small-scale new construction and adaptive reuse projects that align zoning with preservation goals. Whether you work in planning, preservation, or community development, this session will show how clear, flexible zoning can protect historic resources while keeping them active, relevant, and economically viable for generations to come. Speakers: Emily Jarzen, Principal Architectural Reviewer, Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission; Andre Myers, Associate, Tunnell Spangler Walsh

This session qualifies for 1.5 APA & Realtor credit hours.

Historic Theaters as Community Anchors: Planning, Partnerships, and Lessons Learned

Lawrenceburg, Indiana, retains a rich stock of historic resources that continue to shape community life. This session examines two theaters at different points on the preservation spectrum: the Walnut Theatre, now entering early rehabilitation after prolonged vacancy, and Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater, recently restored and reactivated as a dynamic community hub. Through these contrasting case studies, presenters explore the practical, economic, and social dimensions of theater reuse, emphasizing inclusive, accessible approaches that strengthen local identity and civic life. Speakers: Dan McCabe, Owner, Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater; Molly Miniard, Research Coordinator, Archaeological Research Institute; and Natalie Noppert, Director, BSP Movements, Inc.

This session qualifies for 1.5 AIA credit hours.

An Evening at the Historic Artcraft Theatre
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Visit Franklin’s Historic Artcraft Theatre for an evening of mingling and appetizers, along with an authentic movie experience. Enjoy guided tours led by Franklin Heritage staff and volunteers.

Friday, October 2

Plenary Session
9 – 10:15 a.m.
Balancing Heritage and Modern Use

Attend this plenary at Franklin College’s Custer Theatre, located within Old Main, one of Franklin’s notable historic buildings within its National Register of Historic Places-listed district. Hear a welcome from Franklin College’s president, Kerry Prather, about how Franklin College is preserving its historic Elwood Fitness Center, an early twentieth century physical education center, while updating it to modern needs to support today’s student-athletes. Next, follow the transformation of a 1914 Indiana schoolhouse into a family home, located just outside Franklin exploring the realities of historic restoration through an active social media presence that documents its design decisions, setbacks, and victories. Speakers: Kerry Prather, President, Franklin College; Stacie Grissom, Owner, Schoolhouse Homestead

Guided Tours
11:00 – 11:45 a.m.; 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.; or 1:00 – 1:45 p.m.

Explore Franklin College, the Schoolhouse Homestead, and Downtown Franklin on guided tours. Staggered entry times and preregistration allow participants to enjoy multiple experiences.

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