Mayor salutes city's rich heritage through historic preservation month
Through activities highlighting the city’s many historic neighborhoods, buildings and landscapes, Mayor Tom Henry encourages Fort Wayne residents to join in celebrating National Historic Preservation Month throughout May.
“The character of a city is rooted in its sense of place and the history that has shaped it,” said Mayor Henry. “Through cooperation and commitment, our community continues to preserve and revitalize significant pieces of our heritage. In doing so, we honor our past and build upon it for the future. Together, we are keeping Fort Wayne a vital, appealing and authentic city.”
Programs and events will be offered by local organizations all month long for people interested in learning more about the community’s heritage and its historic preservation successes.
Some notable events during the month include:
• The History Center’s Miami Indian Heritage Day at Chief Richardville House, 5705 Bluffton Road, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday May 1;
• Settler’s annual herb and perennial sale, Swinney House at 1424 W. Jefferson Blvd., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 7 and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 8; and
• ARCH’s Fort Wayne Bike About guided bike ride of local history and architecture, starting from the corner of Berry and Clay streets at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. Saturday, May 22 or with a self-guided map.
As a way to promote and commemorate the month, the City’s Community Development division produced a Fort Wayne Historic Preservation Month poster and companion postcard. The preservation month poster and postcards have a link to the City’s online Heritage Calendar at www.cityoffortwayne.org/preservation .
The poster and postcard feature a vintage postcard image of the Lakeside Park sunken garden. Lakeside Park is part of Fort Wayne’s Park and Boulevard System, designed by noted landscape architect George Kessler. The system has been recently nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. Copies of the postcards are available at the City-County Building and the Allen County Public Library downtown.
The City’s Historic Preservation staff and the Historic Preservation Commission work to strengthen the city’s historic resources through preservation and heritage development. The Historic Preservation program offers a range of assistance to help property owners recognize historic properties by listing them as Local Historic Districts or on the National Register of Historic Places. Technical assistance is also available to assist property owners in maintaining or recapturing the historic character of their properties.
For more information call 427-1127, or visit www.CityofFortWayne.org/preservation .