Valuing Vision: Enhancing the Presence of the Past

October 1, 2026 - 10:45 AM to NOON

The Historic Artcraft Theatre
57 N Main Street
Franklin, Indiana 46131

Learn about the roots and evolution of the historic preservation movement as part of Preserving Historic Places: Indiana’s Statewide Historic Preservation Conference, hosted in historic downtown Franklin.

John H. Sprinkle, Jr., Associate Adjunct Professor with the School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at the University of Maryland, explores how the modern American historic preservation movement began and has evolved over the last nine decades. This session outlines the course of historic preservation with an emphasis on individuals whose vision, creativity, and perseverance helped to craft the criteria that have saved diverse spaces and enhanced the presence of the past. Moderating the session will be Rebecca Shrum, Associate Professor of History at Indiana University Indianapolis. The plenary will also include a Q&A segment.

This session is sponsored by the Cornelius O'Brien Lecture Series Concerning Historic Preservation. While the event is free and open to the public, your RSVP is appreciated below.

Preserving Historic Places is presented by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA), Indiana Landmarks, and Indiana University with support from the Festival Country Indiana and other local partners. To learn more about Preserving Historic Places, please visit indianalandmarks.org/preserving-historic-places-conference.