INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana Landmarks is actively working to designate the Martindale neighborhood in Indianapolis as a national historic site, and is hosting a community meeting Wednesday at the Frederick Douglass Park to discuss the process.

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The Martindale neighborhood, located northeast of the Interstate 65/70 North Split in Indianapolis, is being considered for the National Register of Historic Places, due to its rich cultural heritage and its significance to Black history.

The area includes important sites such as St. John Missionary Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke, and historically Black schools like School 26 and School 56.

“This is a very important project that we are undertaking,” said Eunice Trotter, director of Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation program. “We’ve been at it for a couple of years, first trying to determine what the boundaries of a historic district will be in that community.”

The proposed historic district spans from Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue to Brouse Avenue and between 30th and 25th streets. Indiana Landmarks says the effort to preserve Martindale’s history is crucial as the area faces challenges from gentrification and loss of historical integrity. Trotter emphasized the urgency of documenting the neighborhood’s history, noting that many sites have been demolished or altered, affecting their historical integrity.

“We don’t have time to waste in terms of getting this history documented and getting that district recognized,” Trotter said.

Brooklyn Ferrell is an intern with Indiana Landmarks and helped organize Wednesday’s meeting. She says it will feature Kurt Garner, who will explain the process of getting Martindale on the national registry, and a historian who will provide an overview of the neighborhood’s historic elements.

People will also will learn more about tax incentives, access to grants, and opportunities for tourism and education that come with National Register listing. The meeting aims to educate people on the preservation process and gather support for the initiative.

People are asked to register in advance of the meeting, you can do that online here or by calling Indiana Landmarks at 317-639-4534 or 800-450-4534.

Trotter says the effort to designate Martindale as a national historic site highlights the importance of preserving Black heritage in Indianapolis. She emphasized that the community meeting at Douglas Park will serve as a pivotal step in recognizing and safeguarding the neighborhood’s rich history.

Listen to the entire interview with Trotter and Farrell in the video above.

Meeting details:

• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday
• Frederick Douglass Family Center – 1616 East 25th St.
• Register in advance
• Free parking (lot adjacent to the building)
• The venue is accessible to all

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