Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Richard McCoy, standing left, executive director of Landmark Columbus Foundation, reacts as Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon reads a proclamation for Matt Shaw, seated left, author of the book “American Modern: Architecture, Community, Ciolumbus, Indiana”, and Alex Lin, seated right, designer of the book, during the launch party for the volume at the former North Christian Church in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Mayor Ferdon declared July 10th American Modern Day in Columbus.
Nearly 200 copies of Columbus native Matt Shaw’s coffee table book “American Modern: Architecture, Community, Columbus Indiana” have been sold via the local Viewpoint Books, including during the recent promotional launch events in both Columbus and Indianapolis.
Viewpoint co-owner Beth Stroh reported those numbers.
“We should value the buildings and be grateful for the people who made them part of our city,” Stroh said. “We often overlook the fact that our children go to schools that are not only unique but may inspire them to create great things in their future.”
The Columbus Area Visitors Center also plans to sell the book in the future, but does not yet have copies, said Erin Hawkins, director of strategic partnerships and communications.
The book, published by Monacelli Press and including photos from internationally celebrated design photographer Iwan Baan, also is listed as the No. 1 new release in regional architecture at Amazon.com. It sells for prices ranging from $58 to $75.
The Landmark Columbus Foundation that commissioned the book recently organized the launches. The event held locally at the former North Christian Church building attracted more than 200 people, from youngsters to retirees. A large segment of that gathering included community leaders from a cross-section 0of Bartholomew County.
Mayor Mary Ferdon read a proclamation making July 10 “American Modern Day” and praised those who made possible the volume billed as ““the first in-depth publication of Columbus, Indiana that demonstrates the unique convergence of civic, industrial, and social forces that produced the preeminent laboratory of architectural Modernism in the country.”
The local launch featured both Shaw and book graphic designer Alex Lin speaking, besides the evening’s support staff such as Richard McCoy with the Landmark Columbus Foundation, Jason Hatton with the Bartholomew County Public Library and others.
Shaw began his eight months of research in June 2021, followed by about six months and 40,000 words of writing. He did much of that background work at the Bartholomew County Public Library and also through the Irwin-Sweeney-Miller family collection at the Indiana Historical Society in Indianapolis.
In an interview in May with The Republic, Shaw cited one of his wishes for the book’s extended impact.
“I hope that a lot of people see this book, and that maybe someone can use it as an example of how to build cities better,” Shaw said.
