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Northwest editioN reachiNg seNiors iN illiaNa: cook, lake & Porter couNties
May 2026
Vol. 30, No. 2
www.seniorlifenewspapers.com
Indiana Landmarks works to preserve historic structures and places By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer Indiana Landmarks is recognized as the largest statewide private nonprofit preservation organization in the country, maintaining multiple regional offices across the state to support local preservation efforts. Based in Indianapolis, it has eight regional offices around the state. Blake Swihart has served as director of the Northwest Field Office for the past four years, covering nine counties, including Lake, Porter, Jasper and Newton. It is one of two regional offices in the northern part of the state. “Indiana Landmarks revitalizes communities, strengthens connections to our diverse heritage and saves meaningful places,” said Swihart. “Indiana Landmarks has always provided professional and prudent preservation expertise, but we have often been willing to take risks to ensure the long-term sustainability of our built environment. We believe in tackling difficult projects and in investing in communities and organizations that otherwise might be overlooked.” Last year the organization awarded $3.3 million in grants for architectural and structural assessments, reuse studies, building repairs, fundraising planning, educational projects and other preservation efforts. Statewide, staff advised over 280 communities on building preservation and revitalization strategies and led talks
and workshops. It drew 7,700 attendees to 65 educational programs and provided tours for over 12,000 individuals. Several of the programs established by the organization have a specific focus. Sacred Places Indiana, a program of Indiana Landmarks supported by funding from Lilly Endowment Inc., offers planning and capital grants to eligible congregations and the Black Heritage Preservation Program expands the work of the organization’s African American Landmarks Committee, established in 1992 to help identify, save and celebrate historic African American sites in around the state. Each year, Indiana Landmarks releases a list of the 10 Most Endangered Places in the state. This year, one Northwest Indiana structure - the Kiwanis Fieldhouse - is part of that list. La Porte’s Kiwanis Club spearheaded construction of the stadium in 1950, and the Streamline Moderne building, which features locker rooms tucked under a sloping grandstand, was designed by architects O’Keefe and Keil. Some of the Indiana Landmarks’ educational programming has been created for individuals looking to rehab their historic homes, offering instruction and tips on restoring plaster work and repairing wood floors. Across the region, some of the projects that Indiana Landmarks has been involved in in recent years include the St. Zion AME church in East
Chicago, Beverly Shores Depot Museum, Carnegie Library in Rensselaer, Linwood House in Valparaiso and Hobart Historical Society building. Swihart has enjoyed being part of the purchase of the abandoned Geter Means House in Gary’s Mid-Town area to rehab; the purchase and ongoing rehab of the 1880 Italianate Julius House in Crown Point; and the rehabilitation of the mid-century Linwood home/office on the campus of Valparaiso University. “Historic preservation is a conversation with our past about our future,” said Swihart. “It is the process of identifying, protecting, enhancing and interpreting buildings, structures, sites, objects, districts and landscapes of historic and cultural significance.” Volunteers are always needed to help with events and other opportunities. To get involved, contact bswihart@ indianalandmarks.org.
SPREADING THE MESSAGE — Blake Swihart, director of the Northwest Field Office of Indiana Landmarks, gives a presentation to the Valparaiso Women’s Association about the organization and its mission. Photo by Carrie Steinweg.
UNCERTAIN FUTURE — Gary’s Roosevelt High School, Gary’s first and only high school built exclusively for African-Americans, has appeared on the Indiana Landmarks’s list of 10 Most Endangered Places in the state. Photo by Indiana Landmarks.
ENDANGERED — The Kiwanis Fieldhouse in La Porte has been named to the Indiana Landmark’s annual list of 10 Most Endangered Places. Photo provided by Indiana Landmarks.
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Porter County Office:506 Evans Avenue Lake County Office:
County 1st Office: Lake Plum County Office: 409Porter E. Lincolnway, Floor Creek Center Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 57 Street, Suite 203 409Franklin E. Lincolnway, 1st Floor Creek Center Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 222Plum Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 207 Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 222 Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 207 Phone: (219) 548-0980 Phone: (219) 548-0980 Schererville, Indiana 46375 Schererville, Indiana 46375 , LLC Phone: (219) 548-0980Fax: (219) 548-0993 Fax: (219) 548-0993 Phone/Fax: 227-4884 Fax: (219) 548-0993 Phone/Fax: (219)(219) 227-4884 *Certified as an Elder Law Attorney the National Elder Law Foundation *Certified as an Elder Lawby Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation
Connie Bauswell, CELA* Connie L.L.Bauswell, CELA* www.conniebauswell.com www.conniebauswell.com