Commission to Add LGBTQ Sites to Historic Area Plans
The Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission has passed a resolution to include LGBTQ places of significance to the organization’s future historic area plans. The update is part of the Preserve Indy Initiative, the IHPC’s comprehensive update of all 17 historic area plans scheduled to be completed by 2023.
The organizations says it will use a 2016 Indiana Landmarks survey of historic properties in Marion County to identify sites of LGBTQ significance, which found that more than 100 Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission properties have LGBTQ history.
IHPC staff, Indiana Landmarks, the State Historic Preservation Office, IUPUI, and the Indiana Historical Society have created a committee to determine the best course of action to commemorate this history and include in the IHPC’s historic area plans.
“As we celebrate Pride Month, this is a significant moment for our city. We are thrilled to include the LGBTQ community’s history into the city’s plans, especially during the week of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett in a news release. “Indianapolis is a city that welcomes all, and I hope other cities follow suit as we pioneer these historic preservation efforts.”
At the Indy Pride Festival on June 8, Councilor Adamson, IHPC Administrator Meg Purnsley, Mark Dollase of Indiana Landmarks, and Jordan Ryan of the Indiana Historical Society will be speaking about the plan and the importance of preserving LGBTQ history.