Much of Black history is oral or written, however the African-American Landmarks Committee (AALC) is working to make Black history more concrete – literally.
To honor the committee’s history, celebrate African-American landmarks that have been saved and educate others on the importance of saving places significant to Indiana Black history, the AALC will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special, free event Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. at the Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Ave.
“We’re going to have visual images of some of the sites that have been restored and we’re going to have a panel discussion. We want to encourage people to tell us what needs to be restored,” said Wilma Moore, senior archivist of African-American History at the Indiana Historical Society. “This is an engaging celebration.”
As Indiana continues to modernize, African-American sites and structures are usually the first to be demolished or redeveloped especially in small towns and rural areas. The committee continuously works to change that trend.
“Many of our landmarks were in urban neighborhoods that have been torn down for highways or other development. A perfect example is the YMCA that used to be on Senate Avenue,” said Michael Rodman, former chair and current member of the committee. “If you don’t know something about your past, you won’t have anything to build upon.”
The AALC advocates not only on the preservation of historic structures, but provides a Black history perspective on why the landmark is worth saving.
Furthermore, the committee puts their efforts into grassroots projects that include conducting surveys to find and document places significant to Indiana’s Black heritage. They also offer technical assistance to owners of historic properties that are endangered.
Most importantly, the committee provides financial support through the African-American Heritage Grants Fund, which helps fund preservation projects.
Prior to being designated as an African-American landmark, sites must meet certain criteria designated by the state and nation. Many Hoosiers automatically think of the Madame Walker Theatre and Lyles Station, but truth be told, there are hundreds of designated African-American landmarks across Indiana.
Notable projects include the Ransom Place neighborhood, located near downtown Indianapolis, which included purchasing Second Christian Church to spare it from demolition; rehabilitation of several houses; and designation of the neighborhood as a conservation district.
There’s also Fox Lake, a resort community for African-Americans in northeastern Indiana, which was recognized by the National Register.
A grant from the committee helped restore South Bend’s Engman Natatorium, previously a symbol of segregation, into a new Civil Rights Heritage Center.
“Southern Indiana is very interesting,” added Moore. “There was a lot of Underground Railroad activity in many of these counties.”
She also sites St. Stephens Church in Jefferson County as another significant structure that was saved. Stanley Warren, former teacher at Crispus Attucks High School and past chair of the AALC said there have recently been inquiries on saving Tolleston and Roosevelt high schools, both in Lake County.
The committee would love to save all of the structures that are brought to their attention, but are bound by a limited budget.
Even with a modest budget, the committee manages to use their work to revitalize neighborhoods, reconnect heritage and save meaningful places. Oftentimes by saving sites, it encourages neighbors to reinvest, therefore bringing additional economic benefits to the area.
The AALC hopes that neighborhood pride in local projects permeates throughout the entire state and generates statewide interest in saving noted African-American landmarks.
For more information, call (317) 639-4534 or visit indianalandmarks.org.
