INDIANA — To kick off Historic Preservation Month 2026, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is calling on photographers of all ages to help document the state’s storied past. The Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA) has officially opened its annual photo contest, a tradition designed to showcase the “diamonds in the rough” and the grand monuments of Hoosier history.
This year’s contest holds special significance as it coincides with the nation’s Semiquincentennial (250th Anniversary). In honor of this milestone, the 2026 special theme focuses on The NationRoad (U.S. 40), the nation’s first federally funded highway.
2026 Theme: Exploring “America’s Main Street”
Photographers are encouraged to travel the 156 miles of the Historic National Road across Indiana—from Richmond to Terre Haute—to capture the spirit of the communities that grew along its path.
Submissions for the theme category could include:
- Pike Towns: Federal-style rowhouses in Centerville or historic storefronts in Cambridge City.
- Roadside Icons: Restored 1930s billboards, vintage gas stations, or stainless steel diners.
- Structural Landmarks: The Huddleston Farmhouse in Henry County, the Wayne County Courthouse, or the open-spandrel arches of the Deer Creek Bridge.
Contest Categories and Guidelines
Whether you are a professional with a DSLR or a student with a smartphone, the contest offers five distinct categories:
- Color
- Black & White
- Altered: For photos using digital manipulation, HDR, or artistic filters.
- Kids: Exclusively for photographers under the age of 18.
- Special Theme: Resources along the National Road.
Key Submission Rules:
- Age & Location: The subject must be a resource in Indiana (building, bridge, or streetscape) that is at least 50 years old.
- Recency: Photos must have been taken within the last two years.
- No “Nature-Only” Shots: Photos of exclusively natural elements (trees, rivers) will not be accepted; a historic structure must be present.
- No Watermarks: Entries with watermarks, signatures, or date stamps will be disqualified.
How to Enter
The deadline for all submissions is Friday, April 3, 2026, by 11:50 p.m. ET.
- Format: Digital JPEG files only, under 10MB per file.
- Quantity: Each photographer may submit up to three entries.
- Method: Send one photo and one completed registration form per email to DHPAConnect@dnr.IN.gov.
Winners will be announced in May during Historic Preservation Month and may be featured in DNR publications and displays at the Indiana Statehouse. Registration forms and the full list of rules can be found at on.IN.gov/preservation-month.
