MADISON, IN -- Acting Secretary of the Interior P. Lynn Scarlett today announced the designation of the Madison Historic District in Madison, Indiana. as a National Historic Landmark. Scarlett made the announcement during an afternoon ceremony in downtown Madison. She was joined by U.S. Rep. Mike Sodrel and Madison Mayor Albert G. Huntington, as well as other state and local officials.

The Madison Historic District, located in Madison, Ind., consists of approximately 2,000 acres. It comprises over 1,600 historic buildings - in Federal, Greek Revival Italianate, and other styles - constructed from about 1817 to 1939. The Historic District includes domestic, commercial, public, religious, and industrial buildings, some associated with the Underground Railroad, as well as remarkably intact 19th century infrastructure, including roads and bridges.

"Madison is a community eager to preserve and share its history and culture," Scarlett said. "Every community has a story to share. Madison's story echoes the history of America."

In 2004, the City of Madison was named a Preserve America Community. Preserve America is a unique, broad-based White House initiative that focuses on working with heritage assets throughout the country to encourage heritage tourism, adaptive re-use, and economic development.

The site is one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States.

National Historic Landmarks, designated by the Secretary of the Interior, can be nationally significant districts, sites, buildings, structures, and/or objects that possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States. Today, fewer than 2,500 historic places bear this national distinction. The National Historic Landmark program is administered by the National Park Service.

Additional information on the National Historic Landmark program can be found on the National Park Service website at www.cr.nps.gov/landmarks.htm.