Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology

Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology Official Indiana Department of Natural Resources page. Commenting policy: on.IN.gov/dnrsocial

Official page for the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology. Please review commenting guidelines at https://www.in.gov/dnr/communications/social-media-policy.

The Preserving Historic Places Conference is in Franklin this week! Because of that, we are highlighting its resources a...
09/29/2026

The Preserving Historic Places Conference is in Franklin this week! Because of that, we are highlighting its resources and districts that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The former Franklin Masonic lodge is a brick and terra-cotta Neo-Classical style revival built in 1924 by Clifford Shopbell of Evansville, Indiana. Two distinct features are the four Ionic columns with three divided bays of inlead windows, and a decorated doorway located in the center. The temple was constructed after the decision to open a Masonic Home for elder, widow, and orphaned Masons in Franklin, Indiana in 1915. The local Masons fundraised for opening the 1924 temple. Little alterations have been made to the exterior and interior designs since its dedication. Not only was the temple used for the local Mason Chapters, it was also used as a local community center. In 1988, the Johnson County Museum of History acquired the temple. After minor renovations, the museum moved into its new location in 1991. The temple is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NR-1031). To learn more, visit SHAARD: on.IN.gov/SHAARD.

Archaeologists have recorded and investigated various industrial sites in our state, some from the early 1800s. Informat...
09/28/2026

Archaeologists have recorded and investigated various industrial sites in our state, some from the early 1800s. Information regarding these locations has helped us understand early Hoosier efforts at brick and tile manufacturing, redware production, iron making, and more. You can read about investigations at the Brazil Brick Company No. 1 (12CY688) in Clay County in the DHPA’s archaeology Storymap found on our website: https://www.in.gov/dnr/historic-preservation/archaeology/



The Preserving Historic Places Conference is coming to Franklin! Because of that, we are highlighting its resources and ...
09/28/2026

The Preserving Historic Places Conference is coming to Franklin! Because of that, we are highlighting its resources and districts that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Greenlawn Cemetery, established in 1845, is the second oldest cemetery in Johnson County. It is known for its examples of Victorian funerary landscape and Neo-classical design. The cemetery contains several contributing structures like the neoclassical front gates, the Payne-Beck Mausoleum, the Chapel, and above ground sarcophagi. The mausoleum was built in 1911 in a Romanesque Revival style made of Indiana limestone. The chapel was constructed in 1878 in a Gothic Revival style and is known to be the oldest publicly owned building of the city. The cemetery houses several examples of Victorian tombstones, a Civil War Pavilion, and monuments along its tree-lined pedestrian safe walkways. The cemetery is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NR-2278). To learn more, visit SHAARD: on.IN.gov/SHAARD.

Dr. Henry, Professional Archaeologist (get it, “DHPA”) is the DHPA’s archaeology “mascot.” He enjoys adventures and lear...
09/27/2026

Dr. Henry, Professional Archaeologist (get it, “DHPA”) is the DHPA’s archaeology “mascot.” He enjoys adventures and learning more about archaeological and/or historical resources in the state. Everyone can follow Dr. Henry’s adventures at www.facebook.com/INdhpa ( ) to see what kinds of places he gets to visit!



2026 marks the 250th anniversary, or semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To commemorat...
09/27/2026

2026 marks the 250th anniversary, or semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To commemorate this anniversary, we are featuring the many resources of all types in Indiana that are designated National Historic Landmarks. To learn more about these resources, visit the State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD): on.IN.gov/SHAARD. To learn more about the National Historic Landmark program, visit: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1582/index.htm

The Madame C.J. Walker Building in Indianapolis is prominent for its association with Madam C.J. Walker and her successful beauty products firm, which was based in Indianapolis. Madam Walker became the first female millionaire and was generous in her philanthropy. The Walker Building was constructed in 1927 and served as an entertainment center and housed the Walker Beauty College, which trained thousands of Walker agents. Walker products were manufactured in this building, and it also included a pharmacy, restaurant, and ballroom. It is one of the few surviving buildings of the iconic Indiana Avenue, which was the heart of the Black community in Indianapolis. After its purchase from the Walker Manufacturing Company, the building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 (NR-0153) and was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1991.

The Preserving Historic Places Conference is in Franklin this week! Because of that, we are highlighting its resources a...
09/27/2026

The Preserving Historic Places Conference is in Franklin this week! Because of that, we are highlighting its resources and districts that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Martin Place Historic District is home to a group of late 19th century to early 20th century residential homes in Franklin. Architectural styles include Greek Revival, Queen Anne, Italianate, Craftsman, American Four-Square, and Carpenter-Builder. The district is well known for organizing the first Johnson County fair in 1838 when it was a wooded area owned by Garrett C. Bergen, noted by a historical marker within the neighborhood. The oldest home, a Greek Revival farmhouse, located at 500 North Main Street, was built in 1850 by Captain John P. Banta Several homes in the district were once divided into multiple-family homes during World War II and have been converted back to single family homes. The Martin Place Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 (NR-0884). To learn more, visit SHAARD: on.IN.gov/SHAARD.

The material culture of the past in Indiana is impressive in its variety. Ceramics offer us a glimpse into the skill and...
09/26/2026

The material culture of the past in Indiana is impressive in its variety. Ceramics offer us a glimpse into the skill and artistry of those who made and used them. The ceramics of the Late Precontact period (1000 to 1500 CE) of Indiana indicate that Native American groups were not static but were diverse, dynamic, and complex. Pottery is only one facet of the Late Precontact world, but it can reflect social organization and interactions, including expansions and contractions, conflicts and alliances, and assimilation and independence of social groups. Archaeologists examine the different decorative styles to interpret shifting movements and cultural interactions of people through time in areas that would become Indiana and the Midwest.

This image highlights examples of sherds from the Late Precontact period, and the maps indicate where within the state these ceramics generally manifest. Pottery vessels were used for cooking, serving, and storing food. The widespread adoption of pottery in the precontact record occurs approximately 2,800 years ago when people became more stationary for longer periods of time. By the Late Precontact period, ceramic manufacture had evolved, and some of the highest quality pottery with the most complex decorations occur during this time. However, precontact pottery can be fragile and is often identified from archaeological contexts as broken sherds.
You can read more about artifacts in our state by checking out Early Peoples of Indiana as well as the other archaeology outreach documents at on.IN.gov/archaeo-pubs.



The Preserving Historic Places Conference is coming to Franklin! Because of that, we are highlighting its resources and ...
09/26/2026

The Preserving Historic Places Conference is coming to Franklin! Because of that, we are highlighting its resources and districts that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Zeppenfeld House, built c. 1872, is a two-story brick Italianate style home. This style of home is expressed through the low hipped-roof, segmental arched windows, arched doorway, original shutters, and decorative original eaves. Additions to the home c. 1901 include a dining room and reading room, and a modern kitchen in the 1960s. The home was built by German immigrant August Zeppenfeld and his wife, Friederike. Later joined by his brother, Ernst and his wife, Elizabeth. The Zeppenfelds were the owners of The Zeppenfeld Brothers’ Tannery located off Jefferson Street. The home was later owned by Ernst Zeppenfeld and then passed down to his daughter, Jeannette, who was a professor of German and French at Franklin College. The house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NR-0893). To learn more, visit SHAARD: on.IN.gov/SHAARD.

Archaeologists study many different types of sites. Investigations at rural schoolhouse sites offer unique archaeologica...
09/25/2026

Archaeologists study many different types of sites. Investigations at rural schoolhouse sites offer unique archaeological opportunities. Early locations such as these teach us about local communities and the lives of the students and teachers who were part of these important Hoosier places. The marbles, inkwell, and slate pencils shown here were all recovered during Indiana archaeological investigations and represent the types of artifacts typically found at schoolhouse sites. The one-room brick school, built in 1881, is located in Rush County. Learn more about Indiana’s rural schoolhouses from an archaeological perspective at https://www.in.gov/dnr/historic-preservation/files/hp-IndianasRuralSchoolhouses.pdf.


The Preserving Historic Places Conference is coming to Franklin! Because of that, we are highlighting its resources and ...
09/25/2026

The Preserving Historic Places Conference is coming to Franklin! Because of that, we are highlighting its resources and districts that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Old Main is the oldest building on the Franklin College Campus. It was constructed in three phases: 1847 (north building), 1855 (south building), and 1888 (to connect the north and south buildings). This High Victorian Gothic-inspired building consists of three floors with a bell tower and observatory on the fourth floor. The current roof was modified during the construction on the 1888 center section to allow unity to the overall structure. Minor alterations over the years include the removal of 16 chimneys. Old Main has been the home of the college’s activities during the transition of the school from the Indiana Baptist Manual Labor Institute to an accredited liberal arts college. It is currently an administration building for Franklin College, but the structure has served other campus purposes. Old Main is listed in the National Register of Historic Places individually (NR-0043.01) and as part of the Franklin College Historic District (NR-2755). To learn more, visit SHAARD: on.IN.gov/SHAARD.

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