By Dianne Frances D. Powell
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.
“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 wooded land. 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 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, the Conservatory of Music, 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, the Grotto and the St. Anne Shell Chapel.
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.
The College and Sisters of Providence have established a joint committee to look at how to best collaborate on promoting this historic district.