Preservation at the Crossroads Newsletter
August 2026
Congregation Achduth Vesholom, Allen County
Laurel Hall, Marion County
Wheeling Covered Bridge, Gibson County
News: Section 106 Regulations
This is a time of rapid developments regarding Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Significant changes to the regulations for Section 106 are proposed by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and would represent a dramatic shift regarding the Section 106 process and preservation of cultural resources of various types.
As stated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, for 60 years the National Historic Preservation Act/Section 106 has “been the foundational requirement for federal agencies to “take into account” the effects of their actions on historic properties and places, enabling public participation and comment in the process, empowering state and local governments and tribal communities to have a voice in the process…”
Information is available from several organizations, including those below, for those wishing to learn more about the current Section 106 process, as well as the proposed changes.
- Advisory Council on Historic Preservation: Section 106 Overview
- Advisory Council on Historic Preservation: Section 106 Review Fact Sheet
- National Trust for Historic Preservation: Section 106 is Under Threat
- The National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers: The End of Section 106 as We Know It?
- National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers: ACHP Advances Sweeping Revisions to the Section 106 Regulations
DHPA at the Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair is August 7-23 and this year’s theme is “Always a Hit!” Visit the DNR Building to view panels on the gallery wall that look at the history of baseball in Indiana, where some were located throughout the state, and highlighting movies filmed at some of Indiana’s famous ballparks (Hint: “There’s no crying in baseball!”).
Be sure to check the daily schedule to ride one of our 30-minute architectural trolley tours, or to attend other outreach events hosted by DHPA staff.
Preserving Historic Places Conference 2026
Conference registration is still open! This fall, Indiana’s preservation conference visits Franklin for the first time. Explore the charm of its vibrant historic downtown and active preservation community during the annual conference from Sept. 29 through Oct. 2.
From adaptively reused buildings like the Garment Factory and Johnson County Museum of History to restored landmarks like the iconic Artcraft Theatre and historic Johnson County Courthouse, the city showcases a blend of innovation and tradition. Visit indianalandmarks.org/tours-events/preserving-historic-places-conference for more information and register today!
Dealing with Ghosts and the Past
Former intern Rebekah Turner took a look into the interest of dark tourism, and how it is a way for people to learn about the tragedies of the past and to grapple with the realities of death. Read more about her analysis using the Indiana Medical History Museum in Indianapolis as a case study.
Recent Listings on the National Register
In May and June, 2026, Indiana added eight listings to the National Register of Historic Places. These listings—bridges, religious buildings, a farm, a cemetery and mausoleum, and residential estates—have added approximately 46 historic resources to the National and State Registers. For information on Indiana properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures go to on.IN.gov/SHAARD.
Vincennes Mounds: An Interchange Between Natural and Indigenous History
This year’s Archaeology Month poster highlights Vincennes and its rich multicultural heritage as a frontier capital. Read more about Pyramid Mound and Sugar Loaf Mound in Vincennes and how these are both landscapes with memory and represent places where geology and culture are inseparable.
AMERICA 250 CORNER
2026 marks the semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To commemorate this anniversary, DHPA will be setting aside articles in this America 250 Corner to highlight topics in this newsletter pertaining to U.S. history. This issue, read about Revolutionary War veterans that are buried in Indiana.
Listening to and reading about history, archaeology, and historic preservation
The DHPA staff loves podcasts, social media, and resources related to history, archaeology, and historic preservation. Each newsletter issue, we’ll highlight something we’ve found or used. This month, we have asked our summer interns what they are following:
Ashley, a Ball State senior studying anthropology likes listening to Podcasts on long drives including You’re Dead to Me, “the comedy podcast that takes history seriously.”
Julia, who attends Purdue University studying history and anthropology enjoys the images on the For the Love of Old Houses Instagram page.
Nole, an archaeology major entering his senior year at the University of Indianapolis, listens to the CRM Archaeology podcast.
Buddy, who is majoring in anthropology at Indiana University Indianapolis subscribes to the YouTube channel Inside Archaeology.
What archaeology, architecture, or preservation pages do you follow? We want to know at DHPAConnect@dnr.IN.gov.
Bush Stadium: A Unique Renovation
On September 5, 1931, the Indianapolis Indians played their first baseball game against the Louisville Colonels at their newly constructed ballpark known as Perry Stadium, later renamed Bush Stadium, which was considered one of the finest minor league parks in the country. In line with this year’s theme at the Indiana State Fair, read more about this ballpark and how it was adapted to a new use to prevent its demolition.
Archaeology Month 2026
September is the 31st anniversary of a statewide celebration of archaeology in Indiana. This year, along with the United States’ celebration of the semiquincentennial, archaeology month will explore Indiana’s role in the nation’s history, from the actions leading to the revolutionary period to today. Read more about the upcoming celebrations and learn more about this year’s poster, and how you can get one of your own!
A Drive on the Giant Side
Have you ever wondered about the meaning behind the giant statues you see by businesses along the roadway, byway, or highway? Before her retirement from DHPA, Toni Giffin identified some of these well-known and unique examples found across the state. *Note: One of the features, Mr. Bendo has been in the news recently!
Follow DHPA on Facebook
The Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology is on Facebook. Follow us at www.facebook.com/INdhpa to find out about upcoming events, participate in trivia, find out about things to see and do throughout the state, and learn interesting facts about preservation and archaeology in Indiana.
Tell us what you think
We are always interested in your ideas. If there is a topic you would like to see in an upcoming issue of Preservation at the Crossroads, email us at DHPAConnect@dnr.IN.gov.
