Histories of each building from their conception, design, construction, and daily use are contained in drawings and documents utilized between clients, architects, and contractors to communicate ideas and information.

These records are documentation of an irretrievable past - the histories of buildings that have been demolished or never built; data that can facilitate preservation or adaptive reuse; resources that facilitate an understanding of our surroundings.

You will also find :
> Blueprints
> Sketches
> Construction documents
> Architects' letters
> Photographs
> Models
> Magazine articles
> Board minutes
> Videotapes

The mission of the Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives is to collect, conserve, preserve, and promote the use of records that document the architecture, engineering, and arts associated with the built environment of Columbus, Indiana and Bartholomew County

Over fifty architect archives can be found
in the archives, including :

> Eliel Saarinen
> Eero Saarinen
> Dan Kiley
> John Warnecke
> Harry Weese
> I.M. Pei
> Cesar Pelli
> James Polshek
> Richard Meier
> Robert Venturi
> Kevin Roche
> Romaldo Giurgola

We are a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization, so, we depend significantly on those who are generous enough to give of their time and their resources.

Should you want to help, we would welcome your phone call to discuss working with :

COLLECTIONS DEVELOPMENT
Organizing, maintaining, etc.

COMMUNITY LIAISON
Working with those in the community who have materials they are considering donating to the collection, etc.


Volunteers will be trained to accession drawings and documents. Others will be needed for occasional mailings, symposiums and exhibits. Etc.

Our financial resources are very limited...

DONATION LEVELS
>> $1,000 : Pillar
>> $1,500 : Arch
>> $1,200 : Gable
>> $1,100 : Entry
>> $1,525 : Brick

If making a donation, please make checks payable to :
The Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives
c/o Bartholomew County Public Library
536 Fifth Street
Columbus, IN 47201

For your convenience, you may also make a donation directly through Paypal, just click the link below :

Click the image above to open a PDF form you can use
to make a gift to the archives

Access to CIAA's collections does not constitute permission to publish, reproduce, exhibit, broadcast, or electronically disseminate any materials found in the collections.

CIAA may in some cases provide reproductions of materials for visitors. Any reproductions made are for personal research only and will be contingent on disclosure of purpose. CIAA's decision to allow reproductions of archival materials does not constitute permission to publish, reproduce, exhibit, broadcast, or disseminate (including in electronic formats) these materials.

Permission to publish, reproduce, exhibit, broadcast, or disseminate, including in electronic formats, must be obtained by separate agreement with the CIAA or with the copyright holder (in cases where CIAA is not the copyright holder). Visitors to the archives are responsible for observing all U.S. and international copyright regulations.

• Lynn Bigley
  Appt. by Visitors Center
• Jan Banister
  Appt. by CIAA
• Rhonda Bolner, President
  Appt. by Mayor, City of Columbus
• Michele Bottorff
  Secretary, Appt. by Bartholomew County Public Library
• Charles Budd
  Appt. by Bartholomew County Commissioners
• Pat Bush
  Appt. by CIAA Board
• Emily Dill
  Appt. by Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus
• Gary Felsten
  Appt. by Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus
• Gadigeshkumar C. Hurli, Treasurer
  Appt. by CIAA Board
• Julie Hughes
  Ex. Director, Bartholomew County Historical Society
• Orwic Johnson
  Appt. by Bartholomew County Historical Society
• John Lemley
  Appt. by CIAA Board
• Lynn Lucas
  Exec. Director, Visitors Center
• Joyce Orwin
  Appt. by Visitors Center
• Sam Pentzer
  Appt. by Bartholomew County Historical Society
• Beth Booth Poore
  Exec. Dir., Barth. Co. Public Library
• Marwan Wafa, Vice Chancellor IUPUC
  Appt. by Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus
• Sue Wilgus, Vice President
  Appt. by CIAA Board

> Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus
> Bartholomew County Historical Society
> County Commissioners
> Columbus Area Visitors Center
> Bartholomew County Public Library
> Mayor’s Office

Over 2,000 sets of drawing (totaling over 20,000 pages!) have been surveyed and entered into a computer database

Sub-committees have worked on funding strategies, policies, and publicity

New materials for the archives have been searched for and secured

A deed of gift has been developed

This web site!

ISMF AND CUMMINS FOUNDATION
AWARDS ARCHIVES $100,000 GRANT

The Cummins Foundation has awarded a grant of $100,000 a year for three years to establish an endowment fund for CIAA. The Irwin Sweeney Miller Foundation has granted CIAA a $350,000 (challenge) grant to create a $1 million fund.

CIAA will have a campaign LEGACY OF 100 to match the challenge grant with 100 contributors during fall 2007 and 2008. Donors of over $2,500 will be honored on a plaque which will be in the Columbus Area Visitors Center.

“Providing the CIAA with professional staff into the future is the goal of the endowment fund,” said Lynn Bigley, President of the CIAA board. “The legacy of Modern architecture present in Columbus since 1941 can be shared with generations to come.”


CIAA PROPOSES NHL EXPANSION

In 2000, The National Parks Service designated six of Columbus’ Modern buildings as National Historic Landmarks
(NHL) as part of a Multiple Property Listing. This work was sponsored by Preserve to Enjoy.

CIAA proposes to expand the NHL district by revising the criteria applicable ten years ago to extend the qualifying year of 1965. In the event that can be accomplished, additional properties can be nominated.

Louis Joyner, architect and historic preservationist, who worked with Laura Thayer, John Kinsella, Meg Storrow, and
Jeff Baker on the first designation has been contracted by CIAA to develop rationale for revised registration criteria and file appropriate documentation. The Indiana Divison of Historic Preservation will be asked for consultation.

Continue acquiring collections, photos, oral histories

Develop long-range plans for facilities, staff, and clientele access to the archives

Apply for grants to assist in building and preserving the collection

Develop plans for exhibits and educational opportunities

Idea to create archives comes from the Library Associates

First letter sent to architects asking for materials

Materials move to library

Library Trustees approve the establishment of an Architectural Archives as a reference collection

Jim Paris appointed Archives Chairman

Alan Lathrop, Archivist at U of Minnesota advises on future direction

Peggy Ann Charipar begins to organize archives materials

Lathrop returns and provides further recommendations

Lynn Bigley joins Archives Committee and proposes a survey and collection project to take place summer 2004

Brad Cook, Indiana University Archives Photograph Curator, begins surveying current collection (June)

Group restructured to current organization membership (Oct.)

The Archives Committee officially becomes the Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives (CIAA)

Certified as 501(c)3 tax-exempt by IRS

"Reflections on Architecture" exhibit at Columbus Museum of Art and Design, IUPUC, and Ball State University

First annual meeting of CIAA (January)

Web site launched

Completed Three Year Business Plan

Secured Local Foundation Grants for Hiring Director/Archivist

Rented 3,300 square feet additional storage space off site

Hired Director/Archivist, to begin August 1

Installed exhibits for "Preserving the Past," > "Educating the Present," and "Planning the Future"

Hosted IN/KY AIA Annual Meeting with AIA/CIAA 150 Symposium Oct. 12-14

Received IN State Library Digitization grant for digitizing five architectural projects

Finished the Indiana State Library digitization project, and posted link on this site

Continued collecting and surveying of materials

Continuing endowment fund drive

Installed a 6-week display of architectural models in downtown Columbus

Continue working with architects to secure drawings and plans of all current building projects in Columbus, including Jackson Place Apartments, downtown parking garage, jail renovation and expansion, Cole apartments, Mill Race Center, Eco15 (by Cesar Pelli)

Worked with Anthony Costello to nominate Cummins Corporate Headquarters building for the AIA 25-year award. (designed by Kevin Roche) This award is given annually, recognizing architectural design of enduring significance, and is conferred on a project that has stood the test of time for 25-35 years.

Work is moving forward on nomination of The Republic as a National Historic Landmark. Preliminary documentation and research is being completed by Louis Joyner and Laura Thayer.

Relocated off-site storage to a new location in January. The new location provides greater flexibility for storage, workspace, and display preparations when working with large architectural models.