Recognition Awards Presented to Wellnitz and Smith at the May 18, 2011 DPS Annual Meeting

Carol Wellnitz received the Atkinson, Sanders Rodriguez Award for Leadership for her dedication and strong fiscal management of the organization. Carol assumed the office of Treasurer just as DPS was opening the Opera House Gallery which greatly increased the number of financial transactions and accounts of the organization. Carol not only manages the day-to-day transactions, but provides sound fiscal leadership and judgment to the Society.

Mark Smith was presented the Charles Gerard Historic Archival Award for the work with the newlyformed Education Committee of DPS and its project to tell the story of some of Delphi's most historic residences through photographs and text mounted on plaques in front of the homes. In addition to helping with the research for the project, Mark is getting students interested in digging for information as well.

Five Recognition Awards were presented at the
2010 Delphi Preservation Society Annual Meeting held May 21 at the Opera House Gallery

Bill and Andrea Smothers accept the DPS Recognition Award for Historic Residence Post-1920 for their Crafsman-style frame bungalow on Front Street with tapered columns on the brick porch,exposed rafter brackets, and open gables.

The Parks-Vaknin house at 203 E. North Street won the DPS Recognition Award for Historic Residence Pre-1920. The Italianate brick was built in the 1860s. Brenda Vaknin and son Tanner receive the award from Greg Norman.

The Delphi Public Library received the DPS Recognition Award for Historic Commercial or Public Building, accepted by Kelly Currie, DPL Librarian. The 1905 red brick classical revival-style structure is a Carnegie Library.

Bonnie Maxwell received the Charles Gerard Historic Archival Award for her efforts in preserving and making available important Carroll County resources including reprints of Helm's 1882 History of Carroll County and the 1874 Illustrated Atlas of Carroll County

Tom Atkinson (left) presented the Atkinson, Sanders, Rodriguez Leadership Award to DPS President Greg Norman for his ongoing support of preservation activities in Delphi. A long-time member of the Delphi Preservation Society, Greg has been the driving force behind the annual Recognition Awards.

Delphi Preservation Society Announces the 2009 Recognition Award Winners.

Pictured L to R: Hank Ivey for Times Past Restorations for the former Masonic Temple, Historic Commercial or Public Building Award; Anita Werling, the Atkinson, Sanders, Rodriguez Leadership Award; Betty Allen, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Historic Church Award; Loren Hylton, Wilson Bridge, Historic Site or Structure Award; Al Auffart, Carroll County Wabash & Erie Canal Association, The Charles E. Gerard Historic Archival Award; not pictured: Lynn Corson and Janet Ayres, Baum-Shaeffer House, Historic Residence Pre-1920.

Greg Norman, president of the Delphi Preservation Society, presented six Recognition Awards at the annual meeting of the Society held Thursday, May 21, 2009, at the Wabash & Erie Canal Interpretive Center.

The Baum-Shaeffer house owned by Lynn Corson and Janet Ayres received the Recognition Award for Historic Residence Pre-1920. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Italianate brick home was built in 1855 by Carroll County pioneers David and Eliza Baum. It is a fundamental part of Carroll County's history. Lynn and Janet have spent more than two decades restoring the house and barns on the property. Ironically, they were not present necessitated by extensive damage to the property during a storm and flash flood the prior weekend.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church

St. Joseph's Catholic Church received this year's Historic Church Recognition Award. Construction on the gothic church began in 1860 from brick baked at Donovan's brick kiln in Pittsburg. Chapel additions were carefully designed to blend with the historic architecture. The church has been lovingly maintained by the congregation over the years. Accepting the award for St. Joseph's was Betty Allen.

Times Past Restorations LLC received the Recognition Award for an Historic Commercial or Public Building. Now housing Times Past Antiques and Art Gallery, the building is remembered as the Masonic Temple. Originally constructed between 1868 and 1875, it was purchased in 1878 by John Henry Swegman who ran it as the Occidental Hotel for many years. In the early 1890s it was operated as a sanitarium and spa with mineral water piped in from an artesian well and spring in the area. By 1894 the baths were closed and the building became the Iona Hotel. The Masons purchased the building in 1913 and made extensive changes to the Italianate structure. The Award was accepted by present owners Hank Ivey and Kevin Kologinsky who have dressed up the facade of this historic building with an eye-catching color scheme.

Receiving the Historic Site or Structure Recognition Award was the Wilson Bridge on CR 300N in the Deer Creek Valley Rural Historic District. Rehabilitation of the bridge was completed in 2008 and is handsomely painted in "merlot." Named for Isaac Wilson, the through truss iron bridge was built in 1898 by the Lafayette Bridge Company. The bridge location is also known as Carrigan's Ford and Royster's Ford. The structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. Loren Hylton, president of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners, was on hand to accept the award.

The Carroll County Wabash & Erie Canal Association became the first recipient of the Charles Gerard Historic Archival Award named in memory of the Delphi historian who died in 2005 from ALS. The Canal Association has taken a proactive, structured approach to developing and maintaining an archive of artifacts, written, photographic, and other materials related to the era of the Wabash & Erie Canal in Carroll County and throughout the canal system. Through the efforts of the Association, interactive and interpretive exhibits in the center and along the trail system bring to life the canal experience to young and old alike. Al Auffart, vice president of the Canal Association board and active in the Archives Committee, accepted the award.

Anita Werling, was honored with the Atkinson, Sanders, Rodriguez Award for Leadership in Preservation, named for the founders of the Delphi Preservation Society. Past president of DPS and now Chair of the Opera House Advisory Board, Werling was recognized for having become "the face of DPS...spending countless hours each week devoted to our causes." In particular her dedicated efforts toward the Opera House restoration project and Opera House Gallery were cited.

Delphi Preservation Society Announces the 2008 Recognition Award Winners.

Recognition Awards

Pictured L to R: Greg Norman, DPS Vice President; Steve Briggs and Pastor Bill McLean, Delphi Presbyterian Church, Historic Church Award; Barb Wine, Carroll Manor, Historic Commercial or Public Building Award; Lynn Corson, the Atkinson, Sanders, Rodriguez Leadership Award; Tom Atkinson, Historic Residence Pre-1920; Anita Werling, DPS President.

Corson Receives Leadership Award Lynn Corson, past president, was honored as the first recipient of the Atkinson, Sanders, Rodriguez Award for Leadership in Preservation, named for the founders of the Delphi Preservation Society. Corson has been a member of the Society almost since its founding and has served on its board of directors holding every office. Corson has been a strong voice for preservation of historic structures and cultural heritage in Delphi and Carroll County. Through his leadership and contacts, the Society has achieved statewide and national recognition. Corson has secured several grants for the Society, including the prestigious Historic Preservation Fund grant for the recent restoration of the façade on the Assion-Ruffing City Hall building.

Ruffing House

The Recognition Award for Historic Residence Pre-1920 was presented to Tom and Joy Atkinson for their Queen Anne style home at the corner of Franklin and Union streets built in 1896 by Joseph Ruffing, a Delphi jeweler. The Atkinsons have been good stewards of this historic property adding a slate roof to the structure ten years ago and this past year having the residence painted by Hank Ivey Decorating with stunning results.

Carroll Manor received the first Recognition Award for an Historic Commercial or Public Building. Erected as a County home for the poor in 1911 the Manor is now an assisted-living facility for seniors citizens with special needs. The county-owned structure recently underwent renovations to add an elevator and community room to the facility. The addition was designed to blend in with the historic architecture of the home. Barbah Wine accepted the award on behalf of Carroll Manor.

Delphi Presbyterian Church

The inaugural Historic Church Recognition Award was presented to the Delphi Presbyterian Church. Built in 1928 and beautifully maintained, the limestone structure is graced on all sides with stained glass windows. The Church is located on the corner of Main and Indiana streets. Accepting the award were Pastor Bill McLean and Steve Briggs.

Three other award categories did not receive nominations in this first year. They are: Historic Residence Post-1920; Historic Site or Structure, such as the Murphy Fountain; and the Gerard Award recognizing an individual or organization for efforts in historical documentation and archival preservation. The latter award honors the memory of Delphi historian Charles Gerard whose archives were donated to the Society and who passed away in 2005 from Lou Gehrig's disease.

2007 Delphi Preservation Society Recognition Award

Eric and Carol Thomsen receiving the 2007 Recognition Award from Greg Norman for their italianate structure at 121 W. Front Street, originally built by Rinehart. The Thomsens have been restoring the home as a single family residence after it had been converted into multiple apartments.

2006 Delphi Preservation Society Recognition Award

The Brick

Karyl and Dick Traeger received the DPS Recognition Award from Greg Norman for their residence known as "The Brick" at 203 E. Monroe Street. Combining Italianate and Greek Revival elements, this National Register property was built in 1857 and is also known as the Barnett-Seawright house.

2005 Delphi Preservation Society Recognition Award

Tom and Mary Ives were the first recipients of the DPS Recognition Award for their home located at 125 W. North Street. This impressive Italianate brick residence was built in 1870 and is listed in the 1980 Interim Report as the Sims-Cartwright house.

Annual Recognition Awards...

Recognition Award Winners