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2004 in Indianapolis was a rousing success attended by over 300
preservationists from across the country! Indianapolis proved a
perfect location for this unique conference dedicated to local preservation
commissions and their issues. Building on the previous three forums,
the Indianapolis Forum continued this tradition of strong content,
networking, and camaraderie.
In addition to the fifteen conference roundtables
and breakout sessions on a variety of topics held over the course
of the weekend, the Forum featured pre-conference all-day workshops
for commission chairs and new commission members; a state CLG
coordinators meeting in which more than half of the SHPOs were
represented; and a Preservation Action board meeting. The opening
night reception was held in Union Station's palatial Grand Hall,
and Saturday's advocacy luncheon featured keynote speaker and
distinguished preservationist Randall Shepard, Chief Justice of
the Indiana Supreme Court.
Attendees took advantage of an expanded menu of
tours and mobile workshops, featuring the modern landmarks of
Columbus, Indiana; the Main Street community of Farmland, Indiana;
ethnic and cultural heritage sites associated with Indianapolis'
African-American heritage; and an overview tour of Indianapolis.
New this year was a special pre-conference tour to West Baden
Springs, a 1902 former resort hotel and architectural wonder,
and a post-conference mobile workshop on infill housing in historic
districts.
Forum 2004 began with welcoming remarks from Carolyn Coleman,
Deputy Mayor for Neighborhoods for the City of Indianapolis, who
spoke about the importance of historic preservation in the city's
dramatic revitalization efforts. Forum Moderator Ron Emrich then
lead participants in a lively interactive discussion about current
issues in their communities, setting the tone for the interactive
conversations unique to the Forum that would characterize the
roundtables and breakout sessions over the next two days.
When not attending sessions, attendees availed
themselves of Hoosier hospitality and the downtown restaurants
and nightlife of the historic Wholesale District and the Mass
Avenue Arts and Theater District; or went duckpin bowling at Historic
Fountain Square.
As the conference drew to a close Sunday morning,
attendees left with renewed determination, new ideas, and new
friends. Said one departing commissioner, "This was just
what I needed. I'm recharged and ready to go!" Upcoming issues
of The Alliance Review will feature detailed reports taken from
roundtable and breakout sessions, so watch these pages for more
information in the months ahead.
Special thanks to Forum Sponsors: U.S. Department
of the Interior, National park Service; Indiana Department of
Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology;
City of Indianapolis; Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission.
Many thanks also to our Forum Co-Sponsors: National Conference
of State Historic Preservation Officers, National Trust for Historic
Preservation, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, African-American
Landmarks Committee of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana,
Indiana Main Street, and Preservation Action.
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Session
Notes from the Indianapolis Forum 2004
Brian Goeken, Forum Chair
These Session Reports are from participant comments
from the Indianapolis Forum, the fourth biennial National Commission
Forum. While by no means meant to be a comprehensive listing of
issues or ideas these lists are drawn directly from the flipchart
notes generated in the sessions by the session participants themselves
we hope that you will find them helpful, while also giving you
a taste of the Forum experience. NAPC will be using these notes
as part of our development of future training programs as well
as session topics for the next Forum. Check this Web site often
to see when new reports are added.
PDF files:
The Commission
Under Pressure
New Construction
Taboos
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