OSCNA Members Go To ContestThe Old Speedway City Neighborhood Association is among the top three finalists in Neighborhood USA program in the Social Revitalization/Neighborliness division. OSCNA members Charles Bennett, Ed and Elizabeth Frazier will be heading to Baton Rouge, LA to give a presentation as part of the competition on May 24-27. The OSCNA met the criteria for the Social Revitalzation/Neighborliness division because the multi-party involvement of incorporating a variety of age groups to develop the national historic district. Since 2001, over 840 eighth grade students have worked on the project that made part of the Old Speedway City Neighborhood Association a national historic district that includes Main Street to Winton Avenue and Tenth to 16th Street. Bennett, also the SJHS eighth grade social studies teacher, made the historic district part of his curriculum to educate his students with hands on experience about town’s history. Bennett and the students have walked the area to identify homes’ architectural styles as well as interview homeowners to gather historical information. The homes had to be 50 years or older to be considered a contributing factor to qualify the district for a historical designation. This designation process also involved Ball State Architecture students. History continues to unfold in the national historic district as Bennett thinks of ways for students to research the endless history. “It is a work in progress,” he said. Recently, the eighth grade students developed their own website to promote the historical homes in the district. The website discusses photos of homes describing the architectural style. Five Speedway Junior High School Eighth Grade Social Studies students demonstrated their website at Old Speedway City Neighborhood Association meeting on May 7. Victoria Tudor, Corrine Owens, Melissa Hermerding, Rachael Aust and Jonny Hession discussed different styles of homes ranging from the Front Gabled Bungalow to the Norman Cottage. The Norman Cottage castle like features is a rare find in Speedway. The students’ presentation provided the association members with a partial glimpse of the presentation to be used at Neighborhood USA finals. Bennett intends to use the students’ website as part of the contest’s criteria of partnership building. |
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