INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis community activist and urban pioneer Marjorie Kienle has been selected to receive Indiana Landmarks’ 2026 Williamson Prize for outstanding leadership in historic preservation, recognizing her more than 50 years championing the city’s historic architecture.
Few people understand just how far downtown Indianapolis has come over the last five decades more than Marjorie Kienle. Kienle not only experienced the remake of Indianapolis’ downtown, but she rolled up her sleeves and helped make it happen.
Along with aiding the revival of Lockerbie Square and serving as its neighborhood association’s president, Kienle’s contributions to historic preservation in the city include serving as president of Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapolis, leading initiatives to keep Indianapolis attractive and competitive, and co-founding the Rethink Coalition.
