Ubiquitous

Looking like some odd portrait for a family

of circus acrobats, these chairs are stacked in a backyard

on Indy's Old Northside neighborhood.

The neighborhood is made up of numerous homes

in various stages of restoration, renewal,

and remodeling.

These pictures were taken Wednesday evening

as I walked a couple blocks from 

the bus stop to the Indiana Landmarks Center.

At one corner, a contractor who obviously

 took pride in his work, had embedded

a small plaque in a sidewalk he had installed.

While I couldn't find information

related to the sidewalks in this neighborhood,

Mr. Foster was responsible for the

construction of sidewalks, about a half

mile away, in July of 1893.

Here, nearly 125 years later, the quality

of the man's work is still apparent

in that it is still in use.

Rainy Spring Evening, Downtown Indy

Last night during my painting class, heavy rain swept through the area. 

The noise from the hail on the roof of the art building was alarming; 

stones the size of walnuts were reported in some areas. 

The rain has continued since, although reduced to gentle showers.

Thursday evening, as I walked downtown from 

the Indiana Landmarks Center to meet my bus, I enjoyed

seeing the the flowers on the trees beginning to bloom

and the lights reflecting off the streets, glistening from the rain.

Back to Church

Last night was my second visit to the Indiana Landmarks Center.

I went to hear a presentation by the architect and engineer responsible 

for the restoration of Victory, the statue atop the Indianapolis

Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. I was surprised to find that the

talk was also an AIA continuing education program.

I took a seat below the rotunda just so I could take the picture above.

The top picture was taken during the day and shows the ceiling's white

paint with gold trim. When it was restored, lighting was installed

to allow for changes according to the kind of event or 

wishes of the client. Last night, it was pink and gold although

I'd also seen blue and green. The painted decoration is a neutral scheme

which seems to adapt well to whichever lighting is selected.

This is the main entrance to the ILC's Cook Grand Theater, 

made up of three doors, the one shown being the largest.

Painstaking attention was paid to the entire building, 

with a lot of effort going into the restoration of the 

pipe organ, built in 1892 by Thomas Prentiss Sanborn.

The main sanctuary of the former Central Avenue Methodist Church

has been rechristened as the Cook Grand Theater and is available

for meetings, concerts and weddings. (Anybody up for a pink and gold

wedding with a beautiful pipe organ to provide the music?)

Sadly, not many pictures I took last night of the speakers 

were any good, but here is Tory Emery, the project

engineer in charge of Victory's restoration. She is employed by

Arsee Engineers, Incorporated of Fishers Indiana, which has 

long experience in the preservation of historic buildings.

Anybody got a statue they want shifted for repairs?

Yellow House on the Corner

After visiting the Indiana Landmarks Center last week, I took a walk around the block and was pleasantly surprised to see the beautiful homes on one block alone. Here is one of those homes, a work in progress and a beautiful jewel.


It was virtually impossible to take a picture of the house as a whole, so I chose to highlight a few of its details: the stucco exterior with its off-white window frames make the large house seem light and airy; numerous beveled glass leaded windows add glitter to its facade, inviting one to explore within.

The house to its south, a glimpse of which can be seen in the first picture, is painted in shades of violet. They compliment each other, the colors of both softened so there's no blinding clash to make people run away in horror.

Here is the shady porch on the north side of the house, just the place to read a book and enjoy lemonade on a hot summer day.

Field Trip: Takin' It To Church

I needed more information about one of the buildings I photographed a few weeks ago and made arrangements to visit the Indiana Landmarks Center library for research assistance. I was met by Suzanne Stanis, the Center's Director of Heritage Education and Information. After she helped me locate materials I needed for my project, Ms. Stanis very kindly showed me around the newly restored and renovated headquarters.

For many years, I'd passed by the old building as I traveled east on I-65 on my way to Ohio. It was in sad shape, but that did not hide it's unique design and character. When I visited for the first time on Thursday, I had no trouble locating it as the tips of it's golden spires literally gleamed in the sun. I was surprised to see how beautifully it had responded to its restoration.

A view of the Grand Hall, looking towards the south.

The Central Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church was, for many years, home to the largest Methodist congregation in Indiana. Built in three stages in 1891, 1900 and 1922, in Romanesque Revival style, the result is to my eye not so much ornate as it is beautifully crafted. Using only the best materials, there was nothing about the building that wasn't well done. From its red brick and limestone exterior, to its stained glass and extensive woodwork and paneling, the building is an example of the best that man's hand can create. This appearance fitted with the congregation's social philosophy, which was deeply involved in efforts to improve the lives of people in the community. Among other things, members were responsible for the establishment of Methodist Hospital and Wheeler Rescue Mission.


Originally one of the city's first suburbs, the area now called Indianapolis' "Old North Side," itself fell victim to population shifts and the congregation merged with another and left the building. Despite the well-meaning efforts of other organizations, it became neglected and in danger of being destroyed. The Indiana Landmarks Foundation stepped in in 2010 and, with financial support from the Cook family of Bloomington, was able to restore and re-purpose the building at a cost of $10 million.

A section of the balcony railing

  

The "Old Centrum" organ, built in 1892
by Thomas Prentiss Sanborn, has been completely restored.

The pipe organ has been completely restored and will be rededicated with a concert in the Grand Hall on Saturday, September 18th at 3 p.m. Four organists will perform, accompanied by piano, trumpet, violin and choir.

Chandelier located in the center of the Grand Hall ceiling,

As pleased as she was with the Grand Hall and other sections of the building, Ms. Stanis especially wanted me to see the "Sunday School." As much as I enjoyed the restrained elegance of the Great Hall, I frankly wondered what could be special -- no, make that "more special" -- about a place for little kids to get their lessons.

Oh. Wow. 

Completely paneled in dark wood, yet light and airy, the circular room (actually, it's octagonal) has a small stage with a blue velvet curtain on its north side and is surrounded with two tiers of class rooms which look out onto the open central area. Now known as the Cook Theatre, the woodwork gives the room a feeling of warmth and intimacy.

The central light of the Sunday school area.

The open area of the Sunday School, surrounded by
two tiers of classrooms.

Both the Grand Hall and the Cook Theatre are available for special occasions such as weddings and banquets, as well as concerts and corporate seminars.