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SMWC listed in National Register of Historic Places

News | 10.03.2017
Aspire Higher - Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Breaking boundaries, creating hope.


Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are pleased to announce the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Historic District is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Its addition to the National Register honors the property’s importance to the state and the nation.

“We’ve always known The Woods to be a special place which has touched and changed many lives for generations. Now, the nation has recognized its significance and we are incredibly proud,” said Dottie L. King, Ph.D., president of SMWC.

The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Historic District is approximately 67 acres of mostly-wooded site. It is deemed significant in two criteria: its association with events and people who have
made important contributions to broad patterns of U.S. history, particularly in education and religion, and the distinct characteristics and high artistic values of architecture at Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods.

“When people visit Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for the first time, they are always overwhelmed by its beauty and peacefulness. It is a place made sacred not only by the beauty of the buildings and the environment but by the people who have walked here, the spirituality that has been shared here, by the work of education and now health care that takes place here,” said Dawn Tomaszewski, SP, ’74, general superior of the Sisters of Providence.

The Sisters of Providence, under the leadership of St. Mother Theodore Guerin — the beloved eighth U.S. saint — emigrated from France in 1840 to form a religious order in Indiana for the purpose of establishing a school, which eventually became the oldest Catholic women’s college in the state.

By Saint Mother Theodore’s death in 1856, she had directed the opening of 11 schools in nine Indiana towns. Pioneering work at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, the Indiana wilderness where this order and higher learning institution were established, became an important contributor to the evolution of women’s education and Catholic higher education in the country.

The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Historic District features a collection of high-styled buildings constructed between the 1880s and the 1960s; many were designed by architectural firm, Bohlen and Son of Indianapolis. The buildings are impressive examples of the Classical Revival, Renaissance and
Beaux-Arts styles.

The National Register nomination form submitted by SMWC lists a total of 66 buildings, sites, structures and objects contributing to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods’ historic significance. They include buildings such as Guerin Hall, Le Fer Hall, Hulman Hall and the Rooney Library, all owned by SMWC, as well as impressive religious buildings owned by the Sisters of Providence such as the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Sisters of Providence Motherhouse/Providence Hall and the St. Anne Shell Chapel.

“What an inheritance we have received from the Sisters of Providence who went before us, whose vision and deep appreciation for the beautiful helped shape the architectural expressions found both in the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College buildings and in those places where the Sisters of Providence live and work,” Tomaszewski said. “I think this designation as a Historic District honors their legacy, a legacy that we Sisters of Providence today truly desire to share with others. We certainly hope this designation on the National Register of Historic Places will lead more people to discover this treasure we call Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.”

SMWC started pursuing the nomination in January 2015 in conjunction with the 2016 Indiana Bicentennial. The College worked with Tommy Kleckner, director of the Indiana Landmarks Western Regional Office, throughout the process. Both SMWC and the Sisters of Providence were recipients of the Indiana Landmarks Partners in Preservation grant, which covered part of the technical consultation fee for the nomination.

Administered by the National Park Service, the National Register is the official list of historic U.S. sites considered worthy of preservation. It is a formal recognition of a property’s architectural, historical, or archaeological significance based on national standards used by U.S. states. It allows opportunities for specific preservation incentives including federal and state grants and tax credits.

“Historic preservation is important to the human narrative. Our campus is a picture of our values and a living demonstration of our commitment to honoring the rich legacy we have inherited. We’re excited about the possibilities the new designation creates to raise awareness of the historic impact and beauty of our campus and especially to share this beauty with future generations of students,” added King.


Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Historic District, est. 2017
Contributing Sites and Buildings

A total of 66 contributing and 23 non-contributing sites, buildings, structures and objects make up the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Historic District. The contributing sites and buildings are listed below, with architects as attributed.

Contributing Sites (2)

  1. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Campus, 1844-1922. Contributing (site)
  2. Sisters of Providence Cemetery, statuary & memorials, 1861-present. Contributing (site)

Contributing Buildings (26)

  1. Anne Shell Chapel, 1844/1876. Contributing
  2. Corbe House (Chaplain’s Residence), Italianate, 1884/c. 1910. Contributing; Bohlen & Son, architects
  3. Church of the Immaculate Conception, Renaissance Revival, 1886-1907. Contributing Connector, 1903. Bohlen & Son, architects. Thaddeus de Zukotynski, muralist
  4. Sisters of Providence Motherhouse/Providence Hall, Rundbogenstil, 1889-1902. Bohlen & Son, architects
  5. Physical Plant Building, Italianate, 1891-1892. Contributing
  6. Woodland Inn 1894, Queen Anne. Bohlen & Son, architects
  7. Fan House, Classical Revival, 1905. Contributing
  8. Conservatory of Music, 1911-1913, Beaux-Arts. Contributing, Bohlen & Son, architects
  9. Guerin Hall, 1911-1913, Beaux-Arts. Contributing, Bohlen & Son, architects
  10. Industrial Garage, Classical Revival, 1919. Contributing
  11. Water Plant/Addition, Classical Revival, 1919/1920. Contributing
  12. Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Renaissance Revival, 1920. Contributing; Bohlen & Son, architects
  13. Cottage (formerly connected to greenhouse which has been razed), c. 1920. Contributing
  14. Le Fer Residence Hall, 1921-1923, Beaux-Arts/Renaissance Revival. Contributing, Bohlen & Son, architects
  15. Lourdes Hall/Infirmary, Classical Revival, 1921. Contributing
  16. O’Shaughnessy Dining Hall, Classical Revival, 1921. Contributing; Bohlen & Son, architects
  17. Gate House, 1925. Contributing, Bohlen & Son, architects
  18. Stables, 1925/2002. Contributing, Pierson Lumber Company, builder
  19. Physical Plant Office, Classical Revival, 1937. Contributing
  20. Woodland Inn Garage, 1940. Contributing
  21. White Violet Center (Laundry Building), 1948, Classical Revival. Contributing
  22. Marian Hall, Ranch style, 1954. Contributing
  23. Owens Hall, Moderne, 1958. Contributing, Bohlen & Son, architects
  24. Rooney Library, 1963-1964, Moderne. Contributing, Bohlen & Son, architects
  25. Goodwin Guest House, 1964-65. Contributing
  26. Hulman Science Hall, 1967-1969, Moderne. Contributing, Bohlen & Son, architects