Edna Collings Covered Bridge, Putnam County
Wagoner-Ayres House, Carroll County
Rolling Stone Covered Bridge, Putnam County
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DHPA is hiring!
We are looking for a Historic Structures Reviewer to perform regulatory reviews under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and Sections 14, 16, and 18 of IC 14-21-1. The reviewer collaborates with government officials, staff, and the public to evaluate the effects of Federal or state actions on historic properties and seek ways to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to cultural resources. The Historic Structures Reviewer also participates in education and outreach to educate others about historic preservation. Applicants must meet the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards through a combination of education and experience in the history, architecture, and/or preservation field.
Learn more about the job posting and to apply.
Indiana Archaeology Month 2024
September will be the 29th anniversary of a statewide celebration of archaeology in Indiana. DNR’s DHPA coordinates the event to encourage learning about Indiana archaeology, archaeological sites in the state, and the laws that protect them. Universities, museums, organizations, and individuals around the state host a variety of archaeology programs and activities.
The poster theme this year commemorates the State Archaeological Survey. In the spring of 1920, the National Research Council Chairman of the Committee on State Archaeological Surveys came to Indianapolis with the intent of starting what would become Indiana’s archaeological survey. Administering and organizing these early Indiana surveys fell to the State Department of Conservation (now known as the DNR), which then had a Division of Geology and the Indiana Historical Commission. Between the 1920s and the early 1960s, several of Indiana’s counties were surveyed, with reports published by the Indiana Historical Bureau. 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the first published survey reports (Lawrence and Washington counties). Recognizing the looming threats to Indigenous and Euroamerican heritage from amateur archaeology excavations, newly proposed highways, reservoirs, and other infrastructure projects, these early surveyors were “on the road to preservation.”
We are proud that the DNR was there at the beginning of the State Archaeological Survey, and that DHPA continues to lead the statewide efforts for protecting and preserving Indiana’s Native American and Euroamerican heritage.
Free posters (folded and unfolded) will be available to pick up in person at the DNR Central Office lobby in the Indiana Government Center South complex in Indianapolis. Hours are 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., M-F. When attending Archaeology Month events, DHPA staff will also bring posters to distribute. Requests for folded posters (limit of five per person) to be mailed may be sent to DHPAConnect@dnr.IN.gov.
Find out about Archaeology Month events that will take place, and more details regarding the poster design, at on.IN.gov/archaeologymonth.
Historic Preservation Fund FY2025 Grant Applications
The Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology announces that Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grant application packets for FY 2025 are available on the DHPA website at: dnr.IN.gov/historic-preservation/financial-assistance/grants/apply.
Read more about important changes for FY2025. Applicants are encouraged to contact the DHPA grant staff: Malia Vanaman at 317-232-1648 or mvanaman@dnr.IN.gov; or Steve Kennedy at 317-232-6981 or skennedy@dnr.IN.gov to discuss potential projects and confirm eligibility of the applicant, activity, and property. The deadline for proposals is Friday, October 4 at 5 p.m. This is not a postmark deadline; all proposals must be received at the DHPA by the deadline.
Charting the Course of the State Archaeology Survey in Indiana
Expanding upon the 2024 Indiana Archaeology Month theme, archaeologist Melody Pope provides a brief institutional history of the Indiana archaeological survey and a glimpse into the archive revealing some of the routine costs and challenges faced as the course of Indiana’s state-wide archaeological survey was charted in the early part of the 20th century. Read more
Preserving Historic Places Conference 2024
Early bird registration is open for the Preserving Historic Places Conference 2024, in Madison through Sept. 1. Explore a town rich in 19th-century architecture and heritage that provided a hub for industry, commerce, the Underground Railroad, and transportation.
Full conference registration ends October 11. For information and updates see indianalandmarks.org/tours-events/preserving-historic-places-conference.
Atlatl
Can you imagine what it was like to search for food thousands of years ago? Hunting has been a primary way of obtaining meat, such as deer, rabbit, or raccoon. Now, imagine running after a deer with a knife or spear; the hunt would probably not be as successful. Add a little bit of technology, and we have the upper hand. Learn more about the atlatl, a hunting tool that is part of experimental archaeology – a way to learn how other cultures lived by hunting food to survive. Read more
Recent Listings on the National Register
In May 2024, Indiana added ten listings to the National Register of Historic Places. These listings – a house and covered bridges – have added approximately 12 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, visit our website at: on.IN.gov/SHAARD. Read more about the latest listings.
Mourning & Mementos
Read more about State Archaeologist Amy Johnson’s hobby of collecting items surrounding the historic practices of the mourning, especially from the period of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837-1901). These items were found in antique stores, flea markets, and postcard shows and while they evoke a sense of sadness knowing their original purposes, they provide a lasting memento by which to remember those gone before us. Read more
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. So, we thought we’d share with you our favorite finds. In each newsletter issue, we’ll highlight something we’ve found or used.
Archaeology Facebook Groups:
The Archaeological Conservancy
National Park Service’s Midwest Archaeological Center
Society for Commercial Archaeology
What archaeology, architecture, or preservation pages do you follow? We want to know at DHPAConnect@dnr.IN.gov.
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. If you have suggestions for topics or questions for future discussions let us know at DHPAConnect@dnr.IN.gov.
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.
