2017 Historic Preservation Award Winners

Brad Miller of Indiana Landmarks delivered an interesting and informative presentation on the common architecture found in Nappanee. 

Jeanie Dudley presents the Historic Educator Award to Vickie Hunsburger, who retired last year after serving as a member of the NHPC for 22 years. 

Don Lehman Presents the Friend of the Nappanee Historic Preservation Commission Award to Paul Hayden, for his service to the commission as our advisor for many years while he was with the South Bend office of Indiana Landmarks.   Paul is now Indiana Landmarks Director of the Northeast Field Office in Wabash.

Living Gospel Church – formerly the First Brethren Church According to “They Called it Nappanee,” the beginning of the First Brethren Church started with two lots purchased on West Walnut Street where a sawmill had previously stood, and by February 1897 a church building was dedicated. A newspaper article of March 1897 stated that it was "made up of people of thrift and economy." At that time the church was served by a circuit pastor. Through the years extensive remodeling programs took place. Unfortunately, the original First Brethren Church burned in a fire in February of 1948, destroying the original building and its contents, landing a devastating blow to the congregation. Joseph Harrison Hossler, a faithful congregant of First Brethren and Chicagotrained cartoonist, was asked to design a new church. He had no architectural experience, but according to his contemporaries, through the help of God and his talent, he designed a beautiful building that stands today as a monument to his faith.

The church building that stands today is a late example of the Art Moderne style made apparent by its geometric-patterned ornament. Art Moderne developed during the 1930s and continued in ever-simplified forms through the 1950s in Indiana. Art Moderne emphasized horizontal lines, often with rounded corners and streamlined decorations. These traits are clear on the Living Gospel Church - where one would expect gothic arched windows and a pointed steeple, this building has tall rectangular stained glass windows and a simple, boxed tower. It is the streamlined limestone columns, however, that grab your attention and welcome you inside. During the last survey of Elkhart County in 2005, the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory ranked the building a “notable” historic resource, meaning that it was above average as an example of its architectural style and most likely eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. While it may be one of Nappanee’s youngest historic buildings, the Living Gospel is a splendid example of modern architecture in the community and its preservation over time can be attributed to the dedicated congregations that have called it home.

2017 Nappanee Historic Preservation Awards winners

Neighborhood Preservation Award: 555 N Nappanee Street and more about Indiana Limestone

Lawrence and Monroe Counties, which include towns like Bedford and Bloomington, Indiana, are the home of Indiana Limestone, considered the highest quality limestone in the United States. According to the Indiana Limestone Institute of America, pioneer settlers in what would become the state of Indiana used rough cut limestone for the foundations of their cabins, door sills, milling burrs, and memorials. Early quarrying efforts began as early as the late 1820s, before exploding with the arrival of the railroad to the region in the mid-19th century and the growing desire for stone in architectural design across the country because it was easily carved into ornate details and it was resistant to fire. Its popularity continued to grow, especially given its smaller price tag compared to marble and granite. Nationally known buildings constructed of Indiana Limestone include the Empire State Building, the Pentagon, the National Cathedral and a number of state capitols.

 This year the Nappanee Historic Preservation Commission presented the Neighborhood Preservation Award to the home at 555 N. Nappanee St., built by Dr. Fleetwood in 1957, it is the youngest Preservation award winner in the history of Nappanee. The home utilizes Indiana Limestone as a decorative stone veneer that was typical of the time in the 1950s after a large housing boom followed World War II. The house is an interesting blend of a ranch and minimal traditional styling that expresses the functionality of post-war housing and the all important attached garage that shows the new-found dependence of the Automobile in American society. While to most, this era of housing could still be seen as their childhood homes, mid-century homes tell as much a story as those from centuries past and the preservation of whole neighborhoods developed at this time is an important task we have to face in the coming years.

2017 Property Preservation Award: Living Gospel Church

Living Gospel Church – formerly the First Brethren Church According to “They Called it Nappanee,” the beginning of the First Brethren Church started with two lots purchased on West Walnut Street where a sawmill had previously stood, and by February 1897 a church building was dedicated. A newspaper article of March 1897 stated that it was "made up of people of thrift and economy." At that time the church was served by a circuit pastor. Through the years extensive remodeling programs took place. Unfortunately, the original First Brethren Church burned in a fire in February of 1948, destroying the original building and its contents, landing a devastating blow to the congregation. Joseph Harrison Hossler, a faithful congregant of First Brethren and a Chicago trained cartoonist, was asked to design a new church. He had no architectural experience, but according to his contemporaries, through the help of God and his talent, he designed a beautiful building that stands today as a monument to his faith.

The church building that stands today is a late example of the Art Moderne style made apparent by its geometric-patterned ornament. Art Moderne developed during the 1930s and continued in ever-simplified forms through the 1950s in Indiana. Art Moderne emphasized horizontal lines, often with rounded corners and streamlined decorations. These traits are clear on the Living Gospel Church - where one would expect gothic arched windows and a pointed steeple, this building has tall rectangular stained glass windows and a simple, boxed tower. It is the streamlined limestone columns, however, that grab your attention and welcome you inside. During the last survey of Elkhart County in 2005, the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory ranked the building a “notable” historic resource, meaning that it was above average as an example of its architectural style and most likely eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. While it may be one of Nappanee’s youngest historic buildings, the Living Gospel is a splendid example of modern architecture in the community and its preservation over time can be attributed to the dedicated congregations that have called it home.

Nappanee Historic Preservation Awards Night 2017: May 23, 7pm at The Nappanee Center

At 7:00pm on May 23rd the Nappanee Historic Preservation Commission will honor those who contributed to the preservation of the city's history at the annual awards night. The evening will also include a educational presentation by Brad Miller, community preservation specialist from Indiana Landmarks.  Refreshments will follow. 
The event is open to the public at no charge and will be held at the Nappanee Heritage Center located at 302 West Market Street, Nappanee, Indiana 46550.

2015 Nappanee Historic Preservation Awards

2015 Nappanee Historic Preservation Award Winners
left to Right Ben and Lori Hahn, Betty Johnson, Mayor Larry Thompson, Chuck Grimm.
 

 

Mayor Larry Thompson and Commission President Chuck Grimm



NHPC President Chuck Grimm presented Mayor Thompson with the Friend of Nappanee Historic Commission Award.


Betty Johnson,  Chuck Grimm,  Jeanie Duddley

Betty Johnson, former board member and long time volunteer with the Heritage Collection, was awarded Distinguished Historian Award.

 

 

Don Lehman presented Ben and Lori Hahn the Property Preservation Award for their Queen Anne style  home at 402 N. Hartman St.  It was built in 1905 for T.J. Prickett.  The 2 story home features wood frame construction with a rambling,  asymmetrical plan.  The home was intentionally designed with a number of gable heights and setbacks to give the appearance the structure had evolved over time.  These traditional style elements give the home an old fashioned charm that speak of a by-gone era.

Chuck Grimm, Don Lehman, Ben and Lori Hahn

Of special note is the large wrap around veranda that encompasses the southeast elevation of the home.  The broad, front steps are made up of glazed brick and cast stone and welcome both family and friends alike.  

The home was originally designed to take advantage of its corner lot location.  Many windows and doors of the home look out onto mature landscape made of towering old trees and other attractive landscaping

The Neighborhood Preservation Award was presented by Rocki Stillson.

The house at 352 N. Madison St. was built in 1871 for Ray Walters in the Queen Anne-style.  The exterior of the 2 story house features wood frame construction with an overall symmetrical plan. The structure is notable for its complex roof design made up of  a pent roof front dormer and a jerkin head gable to each side.  The roof line is further accentuated by the use of ornate cut wooden corbels and fish-scale shingles.

 

The welcoming front porch is constructed from rusticated cast stone that are topped by square wood columns.  The porch deck was designed well above grade to provide a relaxing retreat in the days before air conditioning.  The current owners have furnished their outdoor living space with comfortable wicker to compliment the Victorian style of their home.  

The exterior color of the home utilizes a traditional scheme of dark taupe for the gables, a medium sand color the siding and an antique white for the front porch.  

The property also features an oversized lot with mature trees, a hand-laid brick entry walk and a white picket fence.  

 

Award Winners and their families, Commission members and honored guests came together on May 7th for the annual Nappanee Historic Preservation Awards Presentaion

 

 

 

Congratulations to all the award winners and thank you to The  Hunsberger's, Jeff Kitson and all who helped make the evening a success.  

2014 Nappanee Historic Preservation Awards

The Honeycutt's received the Property Preservation Award for their property at 153 N Hartman presented by Paul Hayden of the Historic Landmarks Foundation. — at Evelyn Lehman Culp Heritage Center.

Jeff Kitson presented Darla Burns with the Friend of the Historic Commission Award. 

Don Lehman presented the Downtown Rehabilitation Award to Pete Yoder for the renovations that have been done at K.E.Y. Boutique on Main Street. Pete's Son, Eric, accepted the award on his behalf. — with Don Lehman and Eric Yoder at Evelyn Lehman Culp Heritage Center.

Martha Louise Weirich was Awarded Outstanding Historic Educator for her work with the Nappanee Heritage Collection — at Evelyn Lehman Culp Heritage Center. — with Martha Louise Weirich at Evelyn Lehman Culp Heritage Center.

Commission Vice Chair, Jeanie Dudley , presented the Gessingers with the Neighborhood Preservation award for their property at 602 E Marion St. — with Jeanie Dudley at Evelyn Lehman Culp Heritage Center.

Historic Preservation Commission Awards Night.

Congratulations to all the award winners. — with Darla Burns, Eric Yoder, Martha Louise Weirich, Greg Gessinger, Mrs. Gessinger, Angie Honeycutt and Scot Honeycutt at Evelyn Lehman Culp Heritage Center.