2024 Call for Session Proposals

In 2024, Indiana’s preservation conference takes place in Madison, a town rich in nineteenth-century architecture and heritage that provided a hub for industry, commerce, the Underground Railroad, and transportation. As a pilot community for the national Main Street program in 1979, Madison remains a living laboratory in the use of historic preservation for community revitalization and economic development.

We encourage proposals that highlight Main Street successes, heritage tourism, and the development and role of local preservation commissions. We also invite session proposals concerning innovative approaches to preservation and the use of cutting-edge technology in saving and restoring Indiana landmarks of any age.

View the proposal form and submission instructions here. Form must be downloaded and saved to your device in order to be completed electronically. Completed proposals must be returned by Friday, February 9. Decisions will be made by early March.

2023 Conference Agenda

For your reference, we’ve compiled an archive of presentations from our 2023 event. The 2023 schedule is below.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Conference Registration
2 – 4:30 p.m.
Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 East Main Street

Pre-Conference Workshops
All sessions located at Cornerstone Center for the Arts unless otherwise noted.

Main Street Leadership Workshop
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Heritage Room
$30 pre-registration required. Lunch included.

Passionate and dedicated leaders drive movements to preserve and enhance the historic identity, character, and overall sense of place in their communities. While it is important for local organizations to plan and implement projects and activities; more than ever before, it is crucial for each community’s success (and in many ways, their survival), to invest time in their greatest assets: the people that help make things happen. This interactive session will deepen attendees’ understanding of their multifaceted roles, offer motivation to elevate focus, and empower with strategies to strengthen their impact. Moderator: Andrea Kern, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs Speaker: Norma Ramirez de Miess, Vice President of Revitalization Services, Main Street America. Session sponsored by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

Section 106 Training
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Legacy Room
Pre-registration required.  Lunch on your own.

Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology staff offer basic instruction on the Section 106/Environmental Review process and an overview of the SHAARD database and Indiana Historic Buildings, Bridges, and Cemeteries Map. Speakers: Cathy Draeger-Williams, Toni Giffin, and Holly Tate, Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology 

Conference Kick-Off Reception
5 – 7 p.m.
Vera Mae’s Bistro
209 South Walnut Street
Parking is available on the street or in the public parking lot behind Vera Mae’s at the corner of S. High and W. Jackson streets.

Enjoy reconnecting and networking at a casual reception hosted by one of Muncie’s early downtown revitalization projects.  The restaurant–named after founder Kent Shuff’s grandmother—combines two historic commercial buildings including the former Ballard Hardware.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Conference Registration
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 East Main Street 

All sessions located at Cornerstone Center for the Arts unless otherwise noted.

Breakfast on Your Own
Explore Muncie’s locally owned coffee shops and cafes for breakfast. 

Field Session: Mounds State Park
9 – 11:30 a.m.
Nature Center, Mounds State Park
4306 Mounds Road, Anderson
$10 pre-registration required
Transportation on your own.  Tour requires approximately one mile of walking.

Meet your session leader for an exploration of the Native American earthworks at Mounds State Park in Anderson. The site is known for its well-preserved earthworks dating back 2,000 years. Due to careful preservation, the earthworks avoided destruction from farming and even an early twentieth century amusement park before joining the Indiana state park system in 1930.  In addition to touring the mounds, view the Bronnenberg House built by the early owners and explore exhibits inside the Visitors Center. Speakers: Beth McCord, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology; Diane Hunter, Myaamia Heritage Preservation Specialist, Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; and Kelley Morgan, Naturalist, Mounds State Park. Session sponsored by the Indiana Archaeology Council.

Educational Sessions
9 – 10:15 a.m.

Anatomy of a Main Street Building
Legacy Room
To effectively work with the design component of Main Street, it’s important to understand historic architecture. During this session, learn the vocabulary and history of commercial buildings, explore the evolution of building changes, and learn how to conduct a building inventory survey.  You’ll have a chance to practice your skills through case studies. Moderator: Abby Chapman, Indiana Main Street Outreach Manager, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Speaker: Abby Huff, Indiana Main Street Senior Program Manager, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Session sponsored by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs

Cracking Open the Problems in Modernist Masonry at First Christian Church
Grand Hall
The 1942 Eliel Saarinen-designed First Christian Church in Columbus is widely considered one of the earliest modernist religious building designs in the United States. The original campus included the church, sunken terrace, and 166-foot tower which is an iconic landmark. This session brings together an interdisciplinary team to explore the tower’s structural issues, identify the root problems, and devise a modern solution that honors the National Historic Landmark. Moderator: Ashley Thomas, Historic Architecture Specialist, Indiana Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology. Speakers: Anne Schneider, Preservation Specialist, RATIO; Louis Joyner, Principal, Louis Joyner Architect; and Scott Drake, Historic Preservation Specialist, ARSEE Engineers.

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

Architectural Salvage—No Longer a Dirty Word in Preservation
Legacy Room
In 2008 a devastating Franklin flood provided an opportunity for a community-wide preservation partnership.  When faced with the need to demolish several homes beyond economic repair, Franklin Heritage stepped in to salvage reusable materials.  Today, Madison Street Salvage has grossed over $1 million in the last five years and offers much needed materials for historic property owners. The store provides a source of income for Franklin Heritage’s preservation work and supports their historic Artcraft Theatre. Moderator:  Todd Zeiger, Northern Regional Office Director, Indiana Landmarks. Speakers:  Danny Causey, Director of Historic Preservation and Architectural Salvage, Franklin Heritage, Inc.; and Rob Shilts, Executive Director, Franklin Heritage, Inc.

Finding Room for Missing Middle Housing
Majestic Room
Missing Middle Housing is defined as “multi-family or clustered housing types.”  Think duplexes, townhouses, and bungalow courts. While once common prior to the 1940s, we’ve lost most of it due to modern zoning ordinances that favor single-family construction. Our speakers explore how to survey historic missing middle housing examples through archival resources to understand their type, design, and scale. We’ll discuss present-day challenges with zoning, planning, and development and learn how to incentivize more affordable housing based on these historic models. Moderator:  Ryan Hamlett, Tax Credit Analyst, Gene B. Glick Company, Inc. Speakers: Jordan Ryan, Principal, The History Concierge; and Lourenzo Giple, Deputy Director of Planning, Preservation and Urban Design, Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development. Session sponsored by Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

Telling Our Story
Grand Hall
Thoughtful and intentional storytelling is essential to extending historic preservation to become more interpretive, interdisciplinary, and participatory. Recent OCRA community development programming has sought to bridge historic preservation and the public humanities through storytelling initiatives that aim to shine a spotlight on a community’s history as a key asset to be celebrated. This session explores trends in humanities-based storytelling and provides an example of how the City of Kendallville implemented a unique downtown trail through story-telling window clings in storefront windows. Moderator:  Deb Parcell, Northern Regional Office Community Preservation Specialist, Indiana Landmarks. Speakers: Andrea Kern, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs; and Kristen Johnson, Executive Director, Historic Downtown Kendallville. Session sponsored by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

Lunch & Welcome
He Built This City: The Muncie Architecture of Cuno Kibele
Noon – 1:45 p.m.
Colonnade Room

Cuno Kibele, along with his firm Kibele and Garrard, is considered one of the most influential architects in the history of Muncie.  Practicing from circa 1895 to 1927 with no formal architectural training, Kibele’s designs proved pivotal in the development of early twentieth century Muncie. Among his seminal designs are the Muncie Masonic Temple (now Cornerstone Center for the Arts), Delaware Country Club, and Ball Gymnasium.  Join our speakers for a look at Kibele’s impact through original drawings, maps, photographs, and other archival collections. Master of Ceremonies:  Marsh Davis, President, Indiana Landmarks. Speakers: Honorable Dan Ridenour, Mayor, City of Muncie;Cody Sprunger, Archivist for Architectural and Design Records, Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment, Ball State University; Melissa Gentry, Supervisor, GIS Research and Map Collection, Ball State University; and Sara McKinley, Local History and Genealogy Supervisor, Muncie Public Library.

Educational Sessions
2 – 3:15 p.m. 

Hit the Trail:  Offering Art and History Along Gary’s Fitness Trail
Legacy Room
Gary is home to a community of talented artists, creators, and beautiful architecture. To highlight their assets, Gary Public Transportation Corporation collaborated with Purdue Extension to develop an urban trail. The accessible trail incorporates 18 destinations including artwork, sculptures, and historic buildings. Explore the innovative collaborations that inspired this amenity and how to duplicate it in your community. Moderator:  Blake Swihart, Northwest Field Office Director, Indiana Landmarks. Speakers: David W. Wright, Planning and Marketing Manager, Gary Public Transportation Corporation; and Erin Sherrow-Hayse, Nutrition Education Program Community Wellness Coordinator, Purdue University Extension

Public Outreach in Archaeology
Majestic Room
Public outreach in archaeology is a growing movement as archaeologists find value in developing partnerships with the public and grassroots organizations for educational purposes.  Case studies demonstrate how public events reach thousands of people through hands-on activities, presentations, and participation in excavations.  Learn how sharing the study of archaeology with students and adults builds partners and advocates for preserving archaeological sites. Moderator: Beth McCord, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Indiana Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology. Speakers: Rachel Sharkey, Director of Public Archaeology, Archaeological Research Institute; Christy Brocken, Historic Resource Specialist, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation; and Darlene Applegate, Department Chair and Professor, Department of Folk Studies and Anthropology, Western Kentucky University. Session sponsored by Indiana Archaeology Council.

Investing in Historic Neighborhoods through Housing Collaborations
Grand Hall
Within core urban neighborhoods with large numbers of abandoned and deteriorating housing, demolition is often the solution.  But preservationists know that rehabilitation paired with appropriate infill is a demonstrated solution to creating safe, active, and sustainable communities. This session presents case studies of collaborative efforts in Muncie that address the needs of the city’s historically working-class neighborhoods resulting in stabilization, increased citizen participation, improved maintenance, and enhanced quality of life. Moderator:  Meagan Heber, Placemaking and Environmental Review Manager, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Speakers: Jena Ashby, Director, 8twelve Coalition; and Jonathan Spodek, Professor of Architecture, Director, Graduate Program in Historic Preservation, Ball State University. Session sponsored by Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

Educational Sessions
3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

Main Street’s Role in Strategic Community Planning
Legacy Room
Main Streets play an incredibly important role in the revitalization of not just a single district, but an entire city, county, and region. Downtown is the living room of the community, often the hub of economic activity, and what visitors remember. To truly make a transformational impact, a Main Street organization must become embedded in the planning process of the entire community. This session encourages attendees to think about their Main Street program’s role in the community and how it can become a collaborative partner at the planning table. Moderator: Abby Huff, Indiana Main Street Outreach & Organization Manager, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Speakers: Josh Alsip, Director of Community Engagement, Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce; and Bri Roll, Executive Director, Seymour Main Street. Session sponsored by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

Exploring Indiana’s Industrial Archaeology
Majestic Room

From the rocky limestone cliffs of Harrison County to the clay of Hendricks County we’ll examine two types of Indiana kilns through industrial archaeology.  Archaeological investigations at Harrison-Crawford State Forest revealed unique insights into the flourishing lime industry, while 3D photogrammetric modeling and geophysical survey documented early ceramic “groundhog” kilns that produced local redware. Moderator: Amy Johnson, State Archaeologist, Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. Speaker: A.J. Ariens, Forest Archaeologist, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry; and Matthew Pike, Archaeologist, Stantec. Session sponsored by Indiana Archaeology Council.

A Model for Heritage Trades Training
Grand Hall

We’ve all experienced the frustration and challenges of finding qualified heritage tradespeople. Throughout the country the construction industry finds itself starved for qualified workers. Learn how a team of staff and consultants in Covington, Kentucky is tackling these challenges by building a heritage trades training program centered on adults who are looking for a new career and dealing with childcare, unreliable transportation, or language barriers. Our speakers present lessons learned and creative solutions for establishing accessible and effective training. Moderator: Paul Hayden, Northeast Field Office Director, Indiana Landmarks. Speakers: Christopher Myers, Director of Preservation, ZoneCo; and Bob Yapp, President, Belvedere School for Hands-On Preservation. Session sponsored by the Cornelius O’Brien Lecture Series Concerning Historic Preservation. Free and open to the public.

 

Evening at Oakhurst Gardens
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
1200 N. Minnetrista Parkway
Parking is available in the Minnetrista Museum & Garden lot, or in the lot southwest of Oakhurst. 

Following the discovery of plentiful natural gas in East Central Indiana, five Ball brothers—Edmund, Frank, George, William, and Lucius—relocated their home-canning supply company from Buffalo, New York to Muncie in 1888. Soon the brothers bought a large plot of land along the White River suitable for building an enclave of luxurious family homes. Today, four of the five original Ball houses on Minnetrista Boulevard remain. Take part in exclusive tours of both “Nebosham,” built in 1907 for Ball Corporation vice president Edmund B. Ball and wife Bertha, and “Oakhurst,” the 1895 home of George and Frances Ball. While at Oakhurst, enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and conversation at a tented outdoor reception in Oakhurst Gardens. 

Though not open for tours, be sure to stroll past the other Ball homes. “Maplewood,” the 1899 red brick home of William C. and Emma Ball, is operated by Ball State University as a guest house for medical students working in the area. The Lucius and Sarah Ball Home, originally constructed in the 1890s and remodeled in 1910 to its current Colonial Revival style, houses Minnetrista Museum’s “Bob Ross Experience,” depicting the home in its use as Ball State’s public television channel WIPB. And though not a Ball home, the small 1902 stone house at the end of the boulevard originally belonged to Martha Harvey, an aunt.  Following her death, Isaac and Lois Lincoln, the uncle and aunt of the Ball brothers occupied the house. The Lincoln’s daughter Mary served as the first cashier of the Ball Corporation.   

Now the site of the Minnetrista Museum, the home of Frank and Elizabeth Ball was destroyed by fire in 1967 while serving as office space.

 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Conference Registration
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 East Main Street

All sessions located at Cornerstone Center for the Arts unless otherwise noted.  

Breakfast on Your Own
Explore Muncie’s locally owned coffee shops and cafes for breakfast. 

Educational Sessions
9 – 10:15 a.m.

Landbanking: A Pragmatic Solution to a Difficult Challenge
Legacy Room
When the private market and municipalities cannot stabilize vacant buildings, landbanks offer a pragmatic solution that holds, stabilizes, and markets historic properties. Join professionals from Indianapolis and Muncie for a discussion of how your community can utilize a landbank to overcome barriers such as clouded titles, and revitalize neighborhoods through preservation. Moderator: J.P. Hall, Assistant Professor of Historic Preservation, Department of Architecture, Ball State University. Speakers: Jeb Reece, Landbank Manager, Intend Indiana; Nate Howard, Executive Director, Muncie Landbank; and Brad King, Long Range Transportation Planner, City of Anderson  

The Future of Historic Preservation Education
Majestic Room
The field of historic preservation is ever evolving as we re-envision the value of heritage in our communities, reflect on how to balance preservation needs at the local level with national programs, and consider how to embrace more diverse viewpoints and values needed in the field. By examining three Master of Science programs in historic preservation, leading educators in the preservation field will share their approaches to preservation education, discuss how new themes are being integrated into curricula, and explore the advantages and limitation of various course delivery methods. Moderator: Wendy Soltz, Assistant Professor of History, Director, Public History Program, Ball State University. Speakers: Jonathan Spodek, Professor of Architecture, Director, Graduate Program in Historic Preservation, Ball State University; Anne Sullivan, John H. Bryan endowed Chair of Historic Preservation School of the Art Institute of Chicago; and Douglas Appler, Chair of Historic Preservation, University of Kentucky. Session sponsored by Ball State University College of Architecture and Planning.

Preservation and the Public Process: Getting Creative with Section 106 Mitigation
Grand Hall
Section 106 review can be a confusing process for the public. The regulation requires agencies to consider the impact of their federally funded developments on historic properties. Early public involvement through consulting parties is vital in ensuring community stakeholders are heard and can contribute their expertise.  Mitigation works to resolve adverse effects and identify outcomes that represent the broader public interest. Learn how to become a consulting party, find creative ways to cultivate public involvement, and discover new and interesting methods of mitigation. Moderator: Caitlin Lehman, Historic Structures Reviewer, Indiana Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology. Speaker: Haley Brinker, Historian, Indiana Department of Transportation, Cultural Resources Office; Greg Sekula, Southern Regional Office Director, Indiana Landmarks; and Patrick Carpenter, Environmental Protection Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, Indiana Division 

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

The Intersection of Historic Preservation and Fundraising: Strategies for Success
Legacy Room
Saint Mary-of-the Woods College shares its secret for utilizing historic buildings as the basis for a successful fundraising campaign.  When its 1913 Conservatory of Music showed signs of deterioration, the college sought collaborations with Indiana Landmarks and the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology to create a preservation strategy and map a fundraising plan. Find out how their strategy can work for your projects. Moderator: Malia Vanaman, Grants Manager, Indiana Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology. Speakers: Catherine Saunders, Associate Vice President for Advancement, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College; and Tommy Kleckner, Western Regional Office Director, Indiana Landmarks

Uncovering Hidden Histories: A Toolbox for Telling a More Complete, Inclusive Story
Majestic Room
As we look for ways to tell more complete, inclusive stories about historic sites and communities, where do we begin? Discover a toolbox that will help uncover parts of our histories hidden for myriad reasons. Panelists examine resources and methodologies that help uncover Black heritage and LGBTQ+ history. Moderator: Montoya Barker, Special Collections Librarian, Indianapolis Public Library. Speakers:  Eunice Trotter, Black Heritage Preservation Program Director, Indiana Landmarks; Hillary Delaney, Lead Researcher, African American History Initiatives, Boone County (Kentucky) Borderlands Archive & History Center; and Jarrad Holbrook, Board Member, Cincinnati Pride. Session sponsored by the Cornelius O’Brien Lecture Series Concerning Historic Preservation. Free and open to the public.

Re-envisioning Downtown through Façade Grants
Grand Hall

Like many Indiana cities, downtown Muncie experienced a decline with increased suburbanization, and they were not alone in their failed experiment with a pedestrian mall. In the early 2000s, a façade grant program helped revitalize deteriorated buildings. Through creative financing Muncie expanded the small program into a million-dollar matching grant starting with success along Walnut Street and rippling throughout the city. Learn about Muncie’s program along with a façade grant program in Franklin. Moderator: Laura Renwick, Southern Regional Office Community Preservation Specialist, Indiana Landmarks. Speakers: Gretchen Cheesman, Director of Community Development, City of Muncie; Bill Morgan, President, Morgan Roemmel Design; and Krista Linke, Community Development Director, City of Franklin and Director, Franklin Development Corporation  

Lunch on Your Own
11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Plenary Session
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
At Home on Main Street: A Report on the State of Housing in Downtown and Neighborhood Commercial Districts
E. B. Ball Auditorium

This session highlights Main Street America’s recent report “At Home on Main Street,” which addresses the increasing demand and limited availability of quality housing faced by communities across the country. Explore the role that preservation and Main Street organizations have in helping communities recognize the value of historic fabric while defining a vision of preservation-based economic development strategies for historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. Moderator: Andrea Kern, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Speaker: Norma Ramirez de Miess, Vice President of Revitalization Services, Main Street America. Session sponsored by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

Educational Sessions
2:45 – 4 p.m.

Don’t Forget About the Landscape
Legacy Room
A successful preservation plan considers more than historic buildings. The impact of the site’s current and historic landscape should play an integral role. Using Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis as an example, Jeannie Regan-Dinius and Carrie Tauscher discuss the preservation challenges associated with an ever-changing landscape. Their lessons learned extend beyond cemetery preservation to develop ways to remember lost landscapes and how to plan for the future while protecting the past. Moderator: Christopher Baas, Professor of Landscape Architecture, Ball State University. Speakers:  Jeannie Regan-Dinius, Director of Historic Preservation, Crown Hill Heritage Foundation; and Carrie Tauscher, Arboretum Director, Crown Hill Heritage Foundation

Saving The Stutz
Majestic Room
The historic Stutz Building covers over three acres in downtown Indianapolis and represents a storied and eclectic history since opening in 1914. Throughout its life, the Stutz Building has served many uses, though perhaps best known as the home of the famous Bearcat that raced in the Indianapolis 500 and embodied the rich and famous of the Jazz Age. Today The Stutz is undergoing a major rehabilitation that combines museum, retail, dining, and workspace. Learn how the revisioning and reimagining of the building allowed the architectural and engineering design team to manage typical and unique challenges. Moderator: Holly Tate, Architectural Historian, Indiana Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology. Speakers:  Bill Eisler, Executive Vice President and Mechanical Designer, R. E. Dimond and Associates; and Paul Siota, Electrical Engineer, R. E. Dimond and Associates

Sharing the Gospel: Historic Preservation is an Economic Development Tool
Grand Hall

Communicating the value of historic preservation to a cast of local stakeholders can be a daunting task. Main Street programs and historic preservation advocates need to make the case consistently and constantly for the rehabilitation of older and historic buildings as a driver of economic success for local communities. Join this session to understand ways to develop a localized message that addresses the unique position of preservation as economic development. Moderator: Valecia Crisafulli, Board Member, Madison Main Street. Speaker: Kelly Humrichouser, Director of Government Relations, Main Street America. Session sponsored the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs 

Cornerstone Tours
4:15 – 5:15 p.m.
Meet near the registration desk 

Join staff from Cornerstone Center for the Arts for a behind-the-scenes tour of the former Masonic temple. Discover how multiple lodge rooms now serve as meeting spaces and studios for a variety of local arts organizations. 

Dinner & Plenary
5 – 7 p.m.
Legacies of Industrialism: Spaces, Identities, and Institutions in “Middletown”
Colonnade Room

Muncie is an unusually well documented city since being the subject of Robert and Helen Lynd’s influential community study Middletown nearly a century ago and the many follow-up investigations it inspired. Using this research, Dr. Jim Connolly leads us on an exploration of the enduring spatial and cultural patterns that took shape as the city industrialized and which remain factors influencing current efforts to address the consequences of deindustrialization. These patterns include spatial arrangements visible through examination of the built environment, a remarkably durable social geography, and a cultural diversity that has become more visible as our sensibilities have changed. Examining these patterns in a city as richly documented as Muncie can help us make sense of broadly similar trends at play in other similarly situated communities. Master of Ceremonies:  Eric Sandweiss, Thomas and Kathryn Miller Professor of History, Department of History, Indiana University. Speaker: James J. Connolly, George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of History; Director, Center for Middletown Studies; and Co-Director, Digital Scholarship Lab, Ball State University.

After-Hours Gathering
8 – 10 p.m.
The Guardian Brewing Company
514 East Jackson Street 

Join old friends and make new ones at The Guardian Brewing Company housed at Madjax Maker Force.  The once abandoned commercial laundry now serves as an incubator for innovation and design. Cash bar; no RSVP necessary.   

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Plenary Session
9 – 10 a.m.
A Century of Signs
E.B. Ball Auditorium
Cornerstone Center for the Arts

Our plenary highlights The American Sign Museum in Cincinnati. The museum is a visual walk through 100 years of signs, but more than that, it is a history of America in the 20th century. Technological advances, cultural changes and design trends at-large can all be tracked by surveying the history of signs. The presentation will draw from the pages of Signs of the Times magazine and cite specific objects from the museum’s collection to tell this story. 

Moderator: Jonathan Spodek, Professor of Architecture, Director, Graduate Program in Historic Preservation, Ball State University. Speaker: Tod Swormstedt, Founder American Sign Museum 

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

Field Session: Camp Chesterfield
10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
50 Lincoln Drive, Chesterfield
$10 pre-registration required.
Transportation on your own. Park and meet in front of the Tree of Life Bookstore on the right as you enter the grounds. This session includes approximately one-half mile of walking with frequent stops. 

Join J.P. Hall, president of the Friends of Camp Chesterfield Foundation, for an exploration of one of Indiana’s important hidden historic gems. Members of the Spiritualist religion founded the camp along the banks of White River in 1891. Over the years, the camp grew to include hotels, a cathedral, chapel, cafeteria, museum, and dozens of cottages. The camp remains an active Spiritualist church and home for many seasonal and year-round residents. Discover the work of Camp Chesterfield’s Friends group to highlight the property’s religious and cultural heritage, educate Camp residents and the public about its story, and preserve the buildings and landscapes.

Moderator: Sherry Riggin, Volunteer. Speakers: J.P. Hall, Assistant Professor of Historic Preservation, Department of Architecture, Ball State University; Jessica Franke, Architect, MartinRiley architects + engineers; and Chris Baas, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, Ball State University

 

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