Discover—or rediscover—the majestic architecture of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. In celebration of the Indiana Bicentennial, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and the Sisters of Providence invite the community to an Historic Architecture Open House on October 8, 2016, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods chronicles nearly two centuries of Indiana’s religious and educational history. Designated as an Indiana Bicentennial Legacy Project, the open house is in partnership with Indiana Humanities, Indiana Landmarks and Terre Haute Landmarks, Inc.
Guides in each building will provide information about the aesthetic, cultural and educational contributions of this community, as told through the magnificent architecture. Visitors may tour the main floors of several buildings of the Sisters of Providence including: Blessed Sacrament Chapel (1924), Church of the Immaculate Conception (1886-1907) and Providence Hall (1890). Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College buildings include Conservatory of Music (1913), Guerin Hall (1913), Le Fer Residence Hall (1923) and Rooney Library (1964). Landscapes and buildings represent the neoclassical, renaissance revival, and other popular architectural styles of the era, including the City Beautiful Movement and Mid-Century styles.
The open house highlights a collection of buildings designed by four generations of the family of Diederich Bohlen, who established one of Indiana’s foremost architectural firms. The Bohlen firm also designed Crown Hill Cemetery Chapel, Indianapolis’ City Market and the Morris Butler House. The firm completed over 60 works at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Spanning nearly a century, the buildings illuminate stylistic features across a body of work and how they continue to be relevant to recent construction.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dee Reed.