Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College was presented with the 2022 Sandi Servaas Memorial Award during Indiana Landmarks’ annual meeting in Indianapolis in September. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in historic preservation.
“Preserving our historic campus remains an important part of our strategic planning, as we aspire to carry forward a legacy that was instilled in the College from its inception,” said Karen Dyer, vice president for advancement and strategic initiatives. “This award acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the leadership in prioritizing the historic restoration of our treasured buildings and spaces. We are so grateful for this recognition and the relationship with Indiana Landmarks.”
President of Indiana Landmarks, Marsh Davis, said during the presentation, “At a time when other colleges in Indiana have chosen to demolish historic campus buildings, it is impressive to see a small college with such a commitment to historic preservation.”
Dyer added, “When Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her companions arrived in Indiana from France to establish a school at Saint Mary of the Woods, the state of Indiana was only 24 years old. At that time, what would become our beautifully rich and historic campus was just wilderness. It is hard today to imagine the difficulty of those early pioneer years. Still, from that time until now, their spirit would instill a sense of legacy, dedication and commitment in our campus community – which we hold true to this day.”
One way of acknowledging the institution’s cultural history is by preserving its historic buildings and structures, even as the College aspires to accommodate its growing enrollment. In 2017, the College and the Sisters of Providence were listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Saint Mary of the Woods Historic District – with 67 buildings and shrines – each with its own story and legacy.
In back: Catherine Saunders ’98, Dee Reed ’08, Ellen Morley Mattews ’68 and Susan Dolle.
With a strong foundation in historic preservation, SMWC has been able to weave the story of individual buildings and the SMW Historic District into its fundraising for capital projects.
In 2016, the College launched the Aspire Higher Campaign to raise funds to upgrade its 1923 historic residence hall, Le Fer Hall. The campaign was expanded to include renovations to the Conservatory of Music and an upgrade to the Guerin Hall elevator. Last year, the College constructed a new residence and dining hall, considering its placement on the campus and incorporating the design elements from the historic buildings around it.
“Our master plan includes a commitment to historic preservation and green spaces, which were part of the original landscape designs when the College was growing just after the turn of the last century,” explained Dyer. “We are working to balance our historic beauty with modern function, rehabilitating buildings and spaces where we can so that today’s students may enjoy the stunning architecture while also having such essential amenities as 5G Wi-Fi access.”
SMWC joined the Lew Wallace Study Preservation Society in Crawfordsville, which also received the 2022 Servaas Award for its dedication to preservation education.
The College began exploring with the IDNR Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA), and Indiana Landmarks what listing the College on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) might mean for historic preservation more than a decade ago.
“Thus began a unique model of preservation, stewardship and celebration in partnership with preservation experts that stand out among higher education institutions,” said Susan Dolle, director of grants, who retired at the end of August. “As a result, once inhibitive renovations are now part of strategic planning that continues to restore function to underutilized facilities, renewing the vitality of this historic institution.”
Dolle added, “By exploring the National Register listing, working with the State’s preservation experts, and embracing preservation in this unique stewardship and celebration model, we have been able to expand the recognition of the institution and the historic district throughout the state.”