Franklin College Campus Designated as a National Register Historic District
The National Park Service has announced that a portion of the 207-acre Franklin College campus has been designated as a National Register Historic District. The recognition refers specifically to a geographically defined area containing a collection of historically significant properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“Achieving recognition as a National Register Historic District affirms the legacy of Franklin College and its impact on higher education for nearly 200 years,” said Kerry N. Prather, Franklin College president. “This designation amplifies the fact that thousands of students have benefited from a Franklin College education and gone on to impact the world in myriad significant ways. It also speaks to the enduring relevance and importance of Franklin College as we continue to educate future professional and community leaders.”
The district is roughly bounded by East Monroe Street on the north, South Forsythe Street on the east, Grizzly Drive and Park Avenue on the south, and Branigin Boulevard on the west. The core of the district is Dame Mall, nearly one-thousand feet long and named after the first Franklin College graduate, John Welsey Dame. It is fronted by most of the contributing resources in the district, which include 10 buildings, 1 site, 2 structures and 6 objects. Two buildings, Old Main and Shirk Hall, are included and are previous National Register of Historic Places resources. A contributing resource refers to any building, site, structure or object that is considered part of the district's story and contributes to its value as a historic place. The district also includes 16 non-contributing resources.
The 19 contributing resources to the district include the following:
- Old Main – Stott Hall
- Old Main – Bailey Hall
- Class of 1915 Memorial Stone Benches
- Shirk Hall
- Sundial Memorial
- Theta Sigma Phi Journalism Sculpture
- Ben Franklin Statue
- Henry Street Gateway
- The Wellhouse
- A.A. Barnes Science Hall
- Richardson Chapel
- Eli Lilly Campus Center
- B.F. Hamilton Memorial Library
- Cline Hall
- Hoover Hall
- Fitness Center/Elwood Fitness Center
- Spurlock Fitness Center
- Elsey Hall
- President’s Residence
"As Franklin College approaches its bicentennial, this national recognition highlights the vital role our institution has played since 1834,” Prather noted. “This achievement should be a great source of pride for the entire Franklin College family."
The National Park Service (NPS) is an agency of the federal government, within the U.S. Department of the Interior. The service manages all national parks, most national monuments and other natural, historical, and recreational properties, with various title designations. Its headquarters is in Washington, D.C., within the main headquarters of the Department of the Interior.