CHESTERFIELD -- Camp Chesterfield, home of Spiritualism to many believers, has again been designated as one of the 10 most endangered landmarks on an annual list of Hoosier historic sites in jeopardy.
The camp on the north side of Chesterfield joins the Rivoli Theatre in Indianapolis as being named to the list for two consecutive years.
In part, the condition of some of Camp Chesterfield's 65 buildings led the Indiana Landmarks preservation group to name the historic home of the Indiana Association of Spiritualists to the list.
The landmarks commission said, "As Spiritualism has declined in recent decades, dwindling membership and resources have put the camp’s landmarks in jeopardy, including a vacant 1914 hotel, many cottages, and the distinctive landscape features."
The camp had recently obtained a grant from the Efroymson Fund, through the Central Indiana Community Foundation, to fix the roof of one historic home. But in November, a windstorm severely peeled off the roof of the still-operating Western Hotel. Water damaged the basement as well, said the Rev. Vicki Corkell, a clairvoyant who is president of the board of trustees at the camp.
Being named to list, she said, helps keep the camp in the eye of preservationists.
"Landmarks is a magnificent advocate for preserving the camp's treasures," she said.
The camp hosts weekly activities including prayer services and classes. Its Spring Seminary Week, a series of classes, ends today. The evening ends with a fundraising Gypsy Fair for the students. A Mother's Day brunch and tea leaf reading service are slated for May 8 and a psychic fair is June 4.
Last year's designation led to the creation of the Stewardship Program, through which the public can make tax-deductible donations by visiting the website, campchesterfield.net.
Indiana Landmarks populates the 10 Most list with important structures that have reached a dire point.
“Calling attention helps,” said Marsh Davis, president of Indiana Landmarks. “These places are not lost causes. All have the potential for revival and reuse.”
He added, “A bid for demolition is a loud signal, of course, but many of these sites suffer abandonment, neglect, dilapidation, obsolete use, unreasonable above-market sale price, sympathetic owners who simply lack money for repairs, an out-of-the-way location — or its opposite, encroaching sprawl that makes the land more valuable without the landmark.”