Dorothy G. Helmer papers
Collection — Folder: S631
Identifier: S0631
Scope and Contents
This collection contains typescript written by Dorothy G. Helmer regarding the Indianapolis Propylaeum's Mansion located at 1410 N. Delaware Street. Detailed information about the house as well as genealogical information about the original owner, John W. Schmidt (1856-1914), and the second owner, Joseph C. Schaf (1859-1934), are included. The typescript was added to sections 7 and 8 of the National Register of Historic Places nomination form that the Indianapolis Propylaeum submitted to the National Park Service in May, 1973. The home was approved and included in the National Registry of Historic Places that same year.
Dates
- 1973
Creator
- Helmer, Dorothy, Garr (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
Dorothy Garr Helmer was born on January 15, 1908 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Dr. John Louis and Edna Mabel Helmer. She spent her childhood in Bunker Hill, Indiana then moved with her parents to Indianapolis. Miss Helmer graduated from Butler University in 1928 and also attended the John Herron Art School. She was a self-employed interior designer in Indianapolis for 35 years. She was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority, American Society of Interior Designers, and the National Society of Arts and Letters. She was also a board member of the Indianapolis Propylaeum. She died at the age of 91 on April 24, 1999.
Sources:
"Dorothy Garr Helmer." The Indianapolis Star, April 26, 1999, B6.
"Former Kokomoan is Decorator." Kokomo Tribune, January 29, 1961, 14.
"They Achieve." The Indianapolis Star, January 12, 1947, 16.
Sources:
"Dorothy Garr Helmer." The Indianapolis Star, April 26, 1999, B6.
"Former Kokomoan is Decorator." Kokomo Tribune, January 29, 1961, 14.
"They Achieve." The Indianapolis Star, January 12, 1947, 16.
Historical Note
The Indianapolis Propylaeum was founded by May Wright Sewell (1844-1920). The word propylaeum, comes from the Greek word ” propylaea” and was used to represent "gateway to culture". May Wright Sewell and a committee of women from the Indianapolis Woman's Club sold stock certificates to raise the money to build their own facility for meetings. The group's first building was located at 17 East North Street and was dedicated on January 27, 1891. The building of the World War Memorial Plaza required the group to relocate. The "Schmidt-Schaf House" (circa 1891) at 1410 N. Delaware St. was available and the organization was able to purchase it by selling more stock certificates. The Victorian Mansion was repaired and redecorated and the club opened it on October 16, 1923. The Indianapolis Propylaeum continues to offer a venue for events for both members and the community and it is promoted as "The Gateway to a Classic Experience."
Sources:
Griffith, Margot Doane. 1974.Historical Sketch, the Propylaeum Story: "Many Times Told.". Indianapolis: s.n..
IN.gov. "Indianapolis Propylaeum." Indiana Historical Bureau. Accessed September 17, 2015. http://www.in.gov/history/markers/IndyProp.htm.
ThePropylaeum.org. "Our Founder: May Wright Sewell (1844-1920)." The Indianapolis Propylaeum. Accessed September 17, 2015. http://thepropylaeum.org/about/our-founder/.
Sources:
Griffith, Margot Doane. 1974.Historical Sketch, the Propylaeum Story: "Many Times Told.". Indianapolis: s.n..
IN.gov. "Indianapolis Propylaeum." Indiana Historical Bureau. Accessed September 17, 2015. http://www.in.gov/history/markers/IndyProp.htm.
ThePropylaeum.org. "Our Founder: May Wright Sewell (1844-1920)." The Indianapolis Propylaeum. Accessed September 17, 2015. http://thepropylaeum.org/about/our-founder/.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Dorothy G. Helmer on 1973/07/06.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2015/09/17 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid created 2015/09/17 by Laura Eliason.
Creator
- Helmer, Dorothy, Garr (Person)
- Title
- Dorothy G. Helmer papers
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
