If the images of the structures themselves don’t catch your eye, the bold splashes of color making Columbus’ architectural jewels sparkle will.
The city’s seven National Historic Landmarks, seeming all the more weighty when one considers that the entire state boasts 48 such structures, constitute the new, free vinyl banner exhibit at Gallery 506 inside the Columbus Area Visitors Center.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first new exhibit in nearly a year. The display is expected to remain up at least through April 30.
“This is more of an informative, museum-type exhibition, as opposed to just highlighting beautiful photography or beautiful design,” said Jan Banister, who has curated the space since she opened it for art five-and-a-half years ago.
The gallery is especially significant since the visitors center received more than 24,000 visitors in 2019, according to its statistics.
The landmark structures range in years from 1942 (First Christian Church) to 1971 (The Republic building). Each banner highlights the designer and prominent features of the building.
The other structures are:
North Christian Church
First Baptist Church
The Miller House and Gardens
Mabel McDowell School
Irwin Conference Center
For architectural aficionados who may wonder if the display is too basic, consider Banister’s general reminder about the average, busy local citizen — especially one who hasn’t yet attended the visitor center’s popular architectural tour to be familiar with this type of information.
“You have to ask: ‘Does the regular man or woman on the street even know that Columbus, Indiana has seven National Historic Landmarks?’” Banister said. “And that is an interesting conundrum about the architecture in Columbus. Because it is not a museum community like a colonial Williamsburg (Virginia), these buildings are all very much still in play — ones that we go in and out of every day.
“So some people just don’t readily know or see. And, also these buildings are all modern.”
Banister added that many people often think of facilities designated as National Historic Landmarks as especially older structures, perhaps from as far back as the 1700s.
This exhibit, done by Ball State University assistant professor of architecture Kristin Barry working alongside Tricia Gilson with the Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives, first was displayed at the Bartholomew County Public Library in the summer of 2017. The local Custer Foundation provided funding for the work.
It then moved to the Bartholomew County Historical Society for a time.
“We wanted an exhibit that could easily move to various locations,” Gilson said. “The conception was, ‘Here’s a subject that has long-lasting, local appeal.’”
Gilson added that color was a definite key to the exhibit planning early on to quickly capture library patron’s attention.
“I remember that bright yellow pop (on the introductory banner) being the first thing that people would see,” Gilson said. “And for me, exhibits of this type are all about education.”
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What: The National Historic Landmarks of Columbus exhibition, featuring seven of the city’s most prominent Modernist architectural masterpieces.
When: Through April 30.
Where: 506 Gallery inside the Columbus Area Visitors Center, 506 Fifth St.
Hours: Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed on Sundays.
Admission: Free.
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