FRANKLIN, Ind. – The National Park Service announced Thursday 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.
The district’s core is Dame Mall and includes 10 buildings, one site, two structures, and six objects. Two buildings, Old Main and Shirk Hall, are included and are previous National Register of Historic Places resources.
“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. “It also speaks to the enduring relevance and importance of Franklin College as we continue to educate future professional and community leaders.”
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. Barnes Science Hall
- Richardson Chapel
- Eli Lilly Campus Center
- F. Hamilton Memorial Library
- Cline Hall
- Hoover Hall
- Fitness Center/Elwood Fitness Center
- Spurlock Fitness Center
- Elsey Hall
- President’s Residence
The National Park Service (NPS) is a federal agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior. It manages national parks, national monuments, and other natural, historical, and recreational properties.
To read the complete story on the Franklin College website, click here.
