Indianapolis’ Athenaeum named National Historic Landmark

INDIANAPOLIS – A downtown Indianapolis landmark designed by the grandfather of “Slaughterhouse-Five” author Kurt Vonnegut has been named a national historic landmark.

The Athenaeum was one of 10 landmarks added Wednesday to the federal government’s National Historic Landmarks Program that recognizes historic properties of exceptional value and promotes preservation efforts.

The Athenaeum was designed by Bernard Vonnegut, a second-generation German-American, and was built in phases between 1893 and 1898. The German Renaissance Revival building was once one of the largest social clubhouses in the U.S. with an auditorium, gym, and a restaurant.

That restaurant, the Rathskeller, is the oldest restaurant in Indianapolis.

The Athenaeum was also the home of the Normal College of the North American Gymnastic Union for 63 years and was the nation’s oldest, continuously active school of physical education.