Landmark Columbus facts for kids

Landmark Columbus is a special group that helps take care of the amazing buildings and art in Columbus, Indiana. They are part of the Landmark Columbus Foundation and work to celebrate the city's unique history and design.

Cool Projects and Events by Landmark Columbus

Landmark Columbus works on many projects to help protect and celebrate the city's amazing buildings and art. They are very active in the community. For example, they helped nominate the Irwin Conference Center for a special award. This building was designed by the famous architect Eero Saarinen.

A "Columbus Conversation" event held by Landmark Columbus in 2015 at First Christian Church.

Grant to Help Save North Christian Church

In 2019, Landmark Columbus received an important grant from the Getty Foundation. This money helps them care for the famous North Christian Church. With this grant, Landmark Columbus and other experts are creating a plan to keep the church in great shape for a long time. This plan will help guide how the church is looked after and repaired.

Friends of First Christian Church Architecture

The Friends of First Christian Church Architecture (FFCCA) is a group working to protect the design of the First Christian Church. This church is a National Historic Landmark designed by Eliel and Eero Saarinen in 1942. The group started in 2017.

Their first big project was to fix the church's skylight, which had been leaking for years. By August 2018, they had raised enough money to completely fix the skylight. Many people from the church and community helped raise the funds.

Columbus Conversations: Talks About Our Heritage

Columbus Conversation is an annual series of talks that focuses on important topics about Columbus's cultural heritage. These talks started in 2014. Experts come to share ideas on how to care for the city's unique buildings and art.

The 2015 Columbus Conversation included a discussion about how Landmark Columbus could help more people understand and get involved in protecting the city's heritage.

Chaotic Tuesdays: Fun with Art

A "Chaotic Tuesday" event happening inside The Commons.

To celebrate Jean Tinguely's amazing moving sculpture, Chaos 1, Landmark Columbus started "Chaotic Tuesdays." This free event lets everyone see the kinetic (moving) artwork in action during the evening. The idea came from a museum director who visited in 2014.

Chaotic Tuesdays happen on the fourth Tuesday of every month. It's a fun event where people can even learn how to draw the Chaos 1 sculpture, just like Jean Tinguely himself used to do!

Keeping Landscapes Beautiful

Volunteers helping clean up the landscape at North Christian Church in 2015.

Landmark Columbus has organized many community cleanups to help maintain the beautiful landscape at North Christian Church. This landscape was designed by Dan Kiley. The church is one of seven National Historic Landmarks in Columbus.

These cleanups help fix damage from storms and keep the area tidy. Volunteers have even helped trim the many magnolia trees around the church.

Yearly Bicycle Rides to Explore Columbus

Landmark Columbus started a yearly bicycle tour in May. This ride happens during National Preservation Month and National Bike Month. It's a great way to see the city's architecture and art.

• In 2015, the "Olde Tyme Architectural Bicycle Ride" explored older buildings and landscapes downtown.
• The 2016 "Mad Men Bike Ride" showcased many modern buildings, including North Christian Church and the Miller House and Garden.
• In 2017, the "Public Art Bike Ride" took riders to see many public artworks around downtown.

Landmark Lego Challenge

In May 2016, Landmark Columbus held a special competition. Participants were invited to build one of Columbus's seven National Historic Landmarks using Lego bricks! This fun project was a partnership with several organizations, including the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Docomomo US Tour Day

Starting in 2013, various groups began participating in "Tour Day." This event encourages people from other areas to visit Columbus and see its modern architecture.

• In 2013, tours explored the Columbus Arts District and the Miller House and Gardens.
• In 2014, a special day-long event called "Landmarks Experience: Columbus" included talks and tours of the Miller House.
• In 2015, Landmark Columbus created a tour focusing on the Cleo Rogers Memorial Library, Henry Moore's Large Arch, and First Christian Church.

Documenting Columbus's Art and Buildings

In 2013 and 2014, all the public art in Bartholomew County was carefully recorded and photographed. This information was added to a public database. The list of public art in Bartholomew County, Indiana includes over 100 artworks! At the same time, all the modern buildings in the Columbus Arts District were also documented.

Talks with Experts

Landmark Columbus sometimes hosts experts in architecture, art, and community. They share their knowledge and ideas with the public.

• In 2016, speakers included Michelangelo Sabatino and discussions about ArtPrize and Exhibit Columbus.
• In 2018, Sam Lubell and Greg Goldin talked about building projects in Columbus that were planned but never built.

Public Art Walking Tours

Columbus has a rich history of public art, so walking tours are very popular. There is also a special walking tour every October in partnership with Reach Healthy Communities.