Place, Space, & Race Making an Impact
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 Winning the Battle Landmarks connected to times of war MAKING AN IMPACT PLACE, SPACE, & RACE Investing in a Wabash Preserving Indiana’s African neighborhood American Heritage FROM THE PRESIDENT STARTERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Olon F. Dotson Muncie Hon. Randall T. Shepard Lasting Honorary Chair Melissa Glaze Sara Edgerton Roanoke Chair Tracy Haddad Tribute Columbus Parker Beauchamp WHEN 27-YEAR-OLD Economy of Preservation Past Chair David A. Haist Doris Anne Sadler Wabash Patricksburg soldier Carl ON OCTOBER 7, INDIANA LANDMARKS, in partnership Vice Chair Emily J. Harrison Attica Kaiser died of pneu- with the Indiana Farm Bureau, presented its 2020 John Arnold Marsh Davis President Sarah L. Lechleiter monia while serving in Award for Rural Preservation to Gerald and Betty Manning and Hilary Barnes Indianapolis Secretary/Assistant Treasurer Shelby Moravec France during World family for their exemplary stewardship of the historic Stream Thomas H. Engle LaPorte War I, his family com- Cliff Farm in Jennings County (featured in the September/ Assistant Secretary Ray Ontko missioned a life-sized Brett D. McKamey Richmond October issue of Indiana Preservation). In a typical year we Treasurer Martin E. Rahe statue in his likeness would give the award at the Indiana State Fair. But this year we Judy A. O’Bannon Cincinnati, OH Secretary Emerita James W. Renne to mark his gravesite. presented it at the winning farm, thanks to the Mannings who Newburgh Created in the 1920s by BOB COSCARELLI hosted the program in Stream Cliff Farm’s repurposed historic DIRECTORS David A. Resnick, CPA Sarah Evans Barker Carmel a Bedford carver, the barn that now serves as an events venue. Lieutenant Governor Morgantown George A. Rogge limestone figure stands Suzanne Crouch participated in the award presentation before The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Gary Baskerville-Burrows Sallie W. Rowland at attention in Owen A TOUCH OF FROST a well-spaced and masked audience. Indianapolis Zionsville County’s Patricksburg Bruce W. Buchanan With its colorful exterior panels, International-style influence, The Arnold Award honors farmers who couple modern Peter J. Sacopulos Indianapolis Terre Haute Lutheran Cemetery. Over and Knoll interior, the 1964 Frost House in Michigan City defines agriculture with the preservation and continued use of historic Candace Chapman Robert L. Santa time, Kaiser’s statue Evansville Bloomington mid-century cool. Originally owned by Dr. Robert and Amelia farm buildings, a combination in full force at Stream Cliff Farm. Edward D. Clere has become the meet- Charlitta Winston Frost, the house is a prefabricated model sold by Akron, Ohio- Add to that a healthy agritourism operation, one can easily see New Albany Indianapolis ing place for Coal City Mike Corbett John D. Zeglis based Alside Homes Corporation, which marketed the “instant why the Mannings took this year’s prize. Noblesville Culver American Legion Post Stream Cliff Farm, as does the John Arnold Award, points Ellen Swisher Crabb Beau F. Zoeller #141’s annual Memorial house” that could go from truck to complete assembly, includ- Indianapolis Henryville ing finishes and appliances, within 48 hours. The Frost House’s to an aspect of our work that often gets overshadowed by our Cheri Dick Day service, when a Zionsville emphasis on heritage preservation. And that is, historic pres- ceremonial wreath architectural significance and original condition recently earned ervation contributes to our state’s economy. Whether it’s a honoring all veterans it a spot in the National Register of Historic Places, its nomi- OFFICES & HISTORIC SITES functioning historic farm, a restored neighborhood, or a revi- is laid at the base nation supported by a grant from our Indiana Modern affinity Headquarters Southeast Field Office group. Current owners Bob Coscarelli and Karen talized downtown—preservation is about commerce as much Indiana Landmarks Center Aurora of the statue. Read as heritage. Indiana Landmarks is grateful to the Mannings and 1201 Central Avenue (812) 926-0983 about other Indiana Valentine share the home’s story and photo Indianapolis, IN 46202 Southwest Field Office so many other Hoosiers who demonstrate that respectful stew- [email protected] Evansville military landmarks updates at thefrosthouse.com. (317) 639-4534 (812) 423-2988 ardship of our historic resources contributes to the cultural (800) 450-4534 beginning on page 8. Western Regional Office and economic vitality of our state. Northwest Field Office Terre Haute Gary (812) 232-4534 (219) 947-2657 Huddleston Farmhouse Central Regional Office Cambridge City Indianapolis Holiday Herald (765) 478-3172 (317) 639-4534 Morris-Butler House AN AIR OF MYSTERY SURROUNDS THE Eastern Regional Office Indianapolis Cambridge City (317) 639-4534 bronze cherub that alights on Indianapolis’s (765) 478-3172 Veraestau Ayres Clock to usher in the holidays each year. Northern Regional Office Aurora Marsh Davis, President South Bend (812) 926-0983 Why a cherub? In 1946, amid a post-war short- (574) 232-4534 French Lick and West age of merchandise to fill the pages of L.S. Ayres’ Northeast Field Office Baden Springs tours Wabash (866) 571-8687 (toll free) Christmas catalog, illustrator Virginia Holmes adorned (800) 450-4534 (812) 936-5870 the empty spaces with cherubs. Their popularity inspired Ayres to commis- Southern Regional Office New Albany sion local sculptor David K. Rubins to create a three-foot bronze cherub for (812) 284-4534 the clock the following year. Its appearance the night before Thanksgiving Moored on the Ohio River outside Evansville, the restored LST 325 has become a cherished tradition. This year, the bronze figure will get a spa is an example of the type of ship the city led the nation in build- On the ©2020, Indiana Landmarks; ISSN#: 0737-8602 ing during World War II, growing its population and industry. Read treatment in advance of its arrival. The cleaning and polishing are part of a Cover Indiana Landmarks publishes Indiana Preservation bimonthly more on pp. 9-11. PHOTO BY ALEX MORGAN IMAGING for members. To join and learn other membership benefits, campaign Indiana Landmarks is spearheading to restore the clock case and visit indianalandmarks.org or contact memberships@ cherub. Learn more on the back cover. HALE EVAN BY PHOTO indianalandmarks.org, 317-639-4534 or 800-450-4534. To JASON KINNEY offer suggestions for Indiana Preservation, contact editor@ indianalandmarks.org. 2 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 3 REFLECTION American Landmarks Committee in 1992. The mission of this Heritage conservation involves entity was heritage conservation, with the understanding that strategic planning based on the inher- physical evidence of many Black places and spaces in Indiana ited culture of a place or space. It is were under threat. not only focused on objects, elements, The establishment of this committee inspired other preser- or styles, but on understanding the vation organizations to consider heritage conservation as part rich and often troubling history that of their mission. In 1994, The African American Heritage led to the creation and/or deteriora- Preservation Foundation was established for the preservation, tion, abandonment, and demolition maintenance, and awareness of endangered or little-known of said spaces and places. As we begin African American historical sites primarily in the mid-Atlantic Gary’s First to reimagine our approach to preser- and southeastern United States. The National Trust for Historic African Methodist vation of African American landmarks Preservation subsequently established the African American Episcopal Church in Indiana, the goals and actions for was designed by Cultural Heritage Action Fund to “support the preservation of William Wilson heritage conservation as established sites and stories of Black history” at a national level. Cooke, one of the by UN Habitat may be a place to Brent Leggs, executive director of the fund, states: state’s first Black begin. In my new role as chairman architects. Fragile of the African American Landmarks and deteriorating, By preserving historic sites that tell the story of African it’s one of only two Committee and with support of my Americans in this country we draw attention to the contri- buildings designed colleagues on the committee, we butions of both ordinary and extraordinary people. Such by Cooke left in the will encourage Indiana Landmarks city. As the physi- stories might otherwise be lost because urban renewal and cal evidence of his to consider these goals and actions the out-migration of blacks destroyed or led to the abandon- work and those as it strengthens its commitment to Why We Must Preserve our African ment of many African American communities. By saving by other African preserving Indiana’s African American African American landmarks we can stimulate revitalization American trailblaz- heritage. Our ammunition is our ers declines, we and foster interest in places that today seem to exist with- imagination. American Heritage in Indiana must celebrate out history or meaning. Indeed, these places can serve as their legacy and the By Dr. Olon Dotson, associate professor of architecture in Heritage conserva- his approach through critical prac- anchors reviving our sense of community. heritage of Black Learn more about the goals developed by Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning, tion examines not tice not only into my exploration of communities that UN Habitat at placeeconomics.com/ only a site’s physi- managed to “make un-habitat-goals-and-actions-for- and chairman of Indiana Landmarks’ African American cal condition but architecture, but in my understand- Concerning historic preservation from an African American a way out of no way.” Landmarks Committee also the history that ing of society in general. I began to perspective, we must look beyond the elements featured in the PHOTO BY BRAD MILLER heritage-conservation. led to its creation understand that the development of Euro-centered revival, colonial, and THE NOVEMBER 1990 ISSUE OF EBONY MAGAZINE and current state.