Historic Preservation in Indiana

Donald Carmony was a history professor at Indiana University. He primarily discusses historic preservation at Madison and Vincennes, Indiana and explains the motives behind them.

Thomas Emison, born in 1928, discusses historic preservation in Vincennes, Indiana. He places the date of conscious preservation during the early nineteen sixties, with the transfer of the George Rogers Clark Memorial to national custody, and the archaeological findings of Fort Knox II. He describes community attitudes towards the historic district, the various preservation societies, and the sources of funding.

John Galvin speaks about the commercial aspects involved with preserving Madison, Indiana.

Lorethea Hamke, born in 1911, a long-time member of the Francis Vigo chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, discusses the preservation highlights associated with William Henry Harrison's home in Vincennes, Indiana. She describes sources of funding, primarily from Eli Lilly and the endowment, and the use of that money in buying surrounding land, purchasing period furniture, and conducting minor archaeological digs.

Retired druggist Alexander Lemcke Leich, born in 1907, discusses preservation in Evansville, Indiana, particularly the Old Courthouse.

Gene McCormick, born in 1924, discusses the preservation interests and goals of the Lilly family, particularly Eli Lilly, during the twentieth century. He describes Mr. Lilly's hands-on approach to archaeology, restoration, and their use for educational purposes. Lilly did not look to acquire sites, but preferred to allow public access and focused their perpetuation. He speaks about Lilly's involvement in Conner Prairie, William Henry Harrison's Home, and the Historic Landmarks Foundation.

H. Roll McLaughlin talks about his role in historic preservation in Indiana as an architect for James Associates. He discusses many of the projects his firm worked on, and his involvement, as a founding member, with the Historic Landmarks Foundation. His interest and position brought him into close contact with Eli Lilly. He discusses in much detail Mr. Lilly's influence on preservation, particularly his hands-on approach, monetary generosity, and the desire to remain anonymous.

Rosemary Miller, born in 1918, discusses the creation of Bloomington Restorations, Incorporated, and their role in historic preservation in Bloomington, Indiana. She describes the struggle with certain preservation projects, such as the Old Library, and the relationship with the Historic Landmarks Foundation.

Esther Roache discusses the beginning of the Hillforest Historical Foundation in Aurora, Indiana.

Douglas Stern, born in 1952, talks about preservation in Evansville, Indiana. He believes preservation is more of a community effort there than in other cities, and credits mayor Russell Lloyd for recognizing historical locations. Also, unlike other cities, Stern discusses Evansville's preservation in terms of conservation, since the historic districts are used rather than turned into museums.

J. Reid Williamson, born in 1935, is president of the Historic Landmarks Foundation. He speaks about trying to organize local groups in each community to be responsible for preservation. Some areas have had greater success than others, and he is the starting point for the project by listing many of the important participants from other communities.

John Windle, born in 1901, and Ann Windle, born in 1911, speak about preservation in Madison, Indiana. They discuss their reasons for settling in Madison, the beginning of the restoration movement, and other restoration examples that influenced them. They helped found Historic Madison, Incorporated, and they describe the difficulty in changing the community attitude in favor of restoration.