Richards Elementary
Edward Larrabee Barnes, 1965

BCSC schools architecture tour 

Public Schools are where Columbus’ architecture legacy began when Harry Weese designed Schmitt Elementary in 1957. Visitors and residents alike often request access to explore these spaces—and here’s your chance! We hope to offer future opportunities to enter more of our schools. This first tour will feature Richards, Smith, and Schmitt!

• Tours are self-guided. Tourgoers must provide their own transportation. School buildings will be open from 11:00-3:00
• Purchase tickets in advance by clicking link at bottom of this page
• Tickets will be available for purchase day-of-event exclusively at the Visitors Center – located in downtown Columbus at 506 5th Street, right next door to the library

All proceeds benefit the Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation.

Saturday, APRIL 29 FROM 11:00 – 3:00

$20 per ticket, kids 18 and under are free (all proceeds benefit BCSC Foundation)

School stops included on tour : Schmitt Elementary, Smith Elementary, Richards Elementary

Tickets are available for purchase online (day of tickets will be available for purchase at the Visitors Center)

About The Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation

The Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation is one of the oldest nonprofits in Bartholomew County, having been founded in 1955. The foundation’s mission is to provide resources to BCSC educators so that students can reach their full potential as learners. The foundation provides grants, scholarships, and programming support to students and staff. BCSF is a 501(c)(3) public charity. To learn more about the foundation, visit the web site, bcsfstars.org

The tours provide an opportunity for families to learn together, and to highlight how our schools are inspiring places to learn.

The buildings themselves provide lessons in history, art, design, and the spirit of collaboration that goes into creating something truly unique and special.

The Columbus Area Visitors Center is an exceptional partner, and we are grateful for their commitment to education, and to supporting the school foundation and all we do to enhance the educational experience in Columbus.

–  Nicole Cunningham, BCSF Executive Director

Have you seen COLUMBUS, the movie?

By writer and director Kogonada

Starring John Cho and Haley Lu Richardson

Featuring Parker Posey and Michelle Forbes and Rory Culkin

And now for something completely different, a pleasantly eccentric film that’s the feature debut of visual artist Kogonada. Set in ‘the Athens of the Prairie,’ Columbus, Ind., the unlikely site of a trove of modern architecture, its impeccably composed shots of stunning buildings are as much of a lure as its deliberately paced story.

[ The LA Times ]