The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) helps strengthen Indiana’s historical and cultural heritage through annual federal grants it administers to local communities and not-for-profit groups that these organizations put toward preservation projects.

This year, the DNR Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology has awarded 23 federal grants for historic preservation to 25 Indiana communities (see list below). The grants, totaling $540,862, provide a match of $381,013 in local and state funds, for a total projected investment of $921,875.

The funds come from the National Park Service, a part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which distributes federal funds to the states through the Historic Preservation Fund Program. Since 1974, the state has awarded more than $16 million to Indiana communities through this program.

“Preserving our state’s historic and cultural resources is a vital part of our mission," said DNR director and State Historic Preservation Officer, Rob Carter. "These worthy projects help revitalize communities, provide local jobs and investment, and allow Hoosiers to explore the cultures and people of Indiana’s past.”

The projects for the 2008 funding cycle are:

Allen County: The Archaeological Survey of IPFW received a $43,950 grant to conduct an archaeological investigation of three sites in Allen County. All three sites represent large and important elements to the Late Prehistoric Western Basin settlement system. [Contact: Bob McCullough, IPFW, (260) 481-6892].

Anderson: The Paramount Heritage Foundation received a $21,000 grant to replace the roof on the ballroom portion of the Paramount Theatre. The theater opened in 1929 and boasts terra cotta roof tiles, alabaster balconies, a ceiling that transforms into a starry night sky over a 16th century Spanish courtyard, and one of three remaining Page theater organs. [Contact: Donald Volk, Paramount Heritage Foundation, (765) 642-1234].

Benton, Newton, and Pulaski Counties: Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana received $14,364 to publish the results of the countywide historic sites and structures survey of Benton, Newton, and Pulaski Counties conducted in 2007-2008. [Contact: Amanda Jones, HLFI, (317) 639-4534].

Bloomington: The City of Bloomington, in cooperation with Bloomington Restoration, Inc., received a $40,000 grant to rehabilitate the main house of the Hinkle-Garton Farmstead. The farmstead was settled in 1886 by John and Laura Hinkle. Although once as large as 82 acres, the farmstead is now approximately 11 acres and includes the 1892 Queen Anne style main house, a 1910 gabled-ell second house, a 1928 dairy barn, a 1901 blacksmith shop, a c. 1900 grain crib, and a 1920s garage. Daisy Hinkle, granddaughter of John and Laura, specified the transfer of the property to a non-profit for operation as a museum through her will. BRI, Inc., received the property in 2004 and is developing it into a museum and community education center. The HPF funds will rehabilitate the masonry components (including the chimney, exterior entry steps, and basement foundation walls); repair the wood shingle roof; gutters and downspouts; and 20 wooden windows. [Contact: Nancy Hiestand, City of Bloomington, (812) 349-3507].

Brookville: The Brookville Town Council received a $9,340 grant to repair damage to 224 gravestones in the Old Brookville Cemetery. Much of the damage was the result of recent vandalism. Brookville was platted in 1808 and incorporated in 1814. The oldest extant grave in the cemetery dates back to 1816. The cemetery is the resting place of veterans from the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. Also buried there are significant figures of Indiana’s political history, including a State Supreme Court Justice, a United States Senator, and a signer of Indiana’s first Constitution. [Contact: Don Dunaway, (765) 647-4763].

Fort Wayne: The City of Fort Wayne Community Development received a $7,048 grant to prepare a National Register nomination for the Indian Village Historic District, which will include approximately 425 contributing properties. The project will also design and print a brochure about the district and its history and architecture. [Contact: Don Orban, City of Fort Wayne, (260) 427-2160].

Fort Wayne: The City of Fort Wayne, in cooperation with ARCH, Inc., received a $21,038 grant to rehabilitate the Rankin House in Fort Wayne. The house was built c. 1841 by Alexander T. Rankin, who has been identified as an Underground Railroad participant and was active in anti-slavery and abolition activities in both Ohio and Indiana. The Rankin House is believed to be the only extant structure in Fort Wayne to have associations with the Underground Railroad. [Contact: Angie Quinn, ARCH, Inc., (260) 426-5117].

Franklin: Franklin Heritage, Inc., received a $50,000 grant to rehabilitate the façade of the Artcraft Theatre in Franklin. The building was constructed c. 1922 and had renovations in 1937 and 1948. Franklin Heritage acquired the building in 2004, has been working to rehabilitate the theatre, and has been building local awareness and support for the project by regularly showing classic movies in the historic theater. [Contact: Rob Shilts, (317) 736-6823].

Hamilton County: The Archaeological Survey of IPFW received a $10,000 grant for a two-week educational archaeology program at the Strawtown Koteewi Park near Noblesville in Hamilton County. During the past several years, IPFW has worked with the Hamilton County Parks Department to assess and explore the unique archaeological heritage of the 750-acre park. The goals of this project are to clarify the Late Prehistoric population dynamics of central Indiana; create a cultural and educational resource at the park for central Indiana; and develop the archaeological resources of the park as a destination for regional tourism. [Contact: Bob McCullough, IPFW, (260) 481-6892].

Hamilton County and Marion County: Ball State University’s Department of Anthropology received a $9,187 grant to prepare National Register nominations for two prehistoric habitation archaeological sites. [Contact: Don Cochran, Ball State University, (765) 285-5328].

Huntington: The Huntington Historic Preservation Review Board received an $11,500 grant to prepare a National Register of Historic Places nomination for the North Jefferson Street Historic District, which includes approximately 525 contributing resources. [Contact: Cathy Wright, Historic Landmarks Foundation, (260) 563-4534].

Huntington, Miami, Wabash Counties: Ball State University’s Department of Anthropology received a $40,412 grant to conduct an archaeological survey of 900 acres in the upper Wabash River Valley to record threatened archaeological resources, do a survey of mound sites in the southern half of the drainage basin, and document three mounds at Roush Lake in order to nominate them to the State and National Registers. [Contact: Don Cochran, Ball State University, (765) 285-5328].

LaGrange County: ARCH, Inc., received $5,354 to publish the results of the countywide historic sites and structures survey of LaGrange County conducted in 2007-2008. [Contact: Angie Quinn, ARCH, Inc., (260) 426-5117].

Orleans: Saving Historic Orange County received a $6,388 grant to prepare a National Register of Historic Places nomination for the Orleans Downtown Historic District. The Orleans Downtown Historic District includes approximately 120 contributing properties. [Contact: Robert Henderson, Saving Historic Orange County, (812) 865-2539].

Parke County: Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana received a $17,353 award for a countywide survey to document historic sites, structures, and landscapes throughout Parke County. The survey will cover 444 square miles, and is expected to document approximately 1,200 sites for the state’s historic sites and structures database. [Contact: Amanda Jones, Historic Landmarks Foundation, (317) 639-4534].

Porter County: The University of Notre Dame was awarded $4,842 to prepare a National Register nomination for the Collier Lodge archaeological site. The archaeological portion of the site is a multi-component area that has produced artifacts from most time periods in Indiana’s prehistory and history. [Contact: Mark Schurr, University of Notre Dame, (574) 631-7638].

Tipton County: Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana received a $22,099 award for a countywide survey to document historic sites, structures, and landscapes throughout Tipton County. The survey will cover 260 square miles, and is expected to add approximately 900 new sites to the state’s historic sites and structures database. Tipton County is one of the four remaining unsurveyed counties. (Contact: Amanda Jones, Historic Landmarks Foundation, 317-639-4534).

Union County: Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana received a $17,784 award for a countywide survey to document historic sites, structures, and landscapes throughout Union County. The survey will cover 161 square miles, and is expected to add approximately 400 new sites to the state’s historic sites and structures database. Union County is one of the four remaining unsurveyed counties. (Contact: Amanda Jones, Historic Landmarks Foundation, 317-639-4534).

Vallonia: The Fort Vallonia Days Association received a $50,000 grant to rehabilitate the exterior masonry and install interior second floor structure in the Joe Jackson Hotel in Vallonia. The hotel was built in 1914 by a local businessman and included a restaurant and a barbershop. In later years, it was successively converted into a boarding house, apartments, a pool hall, a small grocery store, and finally a bait shop. The Association acquired the building in 1999 and intends to rehabilitate it for use as a community center and possibly for a local heritage museum. (Contact: Sally Waldkoetter, 812-358-5081).

Wabash: The Wabash Women’s Clubhouse Association received a $20,000 grant for the restoration of the front porch of the Women’s Clubhouse in Wabash, and to remove the highly obtrusive handicapped access ramp on the front of the building and replace it in a more appropriate location and with a design that is more sympathetic to the historic character of the building and meets all applicable codes. The building was built as an orphanage in 1889 and in 1903 became a hospital for the community. In 1930, the women of the area formed a group to discuss and learn about the civic and social issues in Wabash. They established the Women’s Clubhouse Association and have occupied the building since that time. (Contact: Ellen Stouffer, 260-563-5339).

Warrick County: Indiana State Museum Foundation received a $33,437 grant to conduct a reconnaissance survey of 75 hectares to identify archeological sites at the Yankeetown site (12 W 1), a large village occupation dating between AD 700 and 1000 and threatened by erosion. The Indiana State Museum is dedicated to the long term preservation of the site. A better understanding of the Yankeetown phase will help also improve understanding of the development of agricultural societies in Indiana and provide an opportunity to interpret these people at State Historic Sites and the State Museum. (Contact: Michele Greenan, Indiana State Museum Foundation, 317-233-8971).

Wells County: ARCH, Inc. received a $26,754 award for a countywide survey to document historic sites, structures, and landscapes throughout Wells County. The survey will cover 370 square miles, and is expected to document approximately 1,800 sites for the state’s historic sites and structures database. (Contact: Angie Quinn, ARCH, Inc., 260-426-5117).

Whiting: The City of Whiting Parks & Recreation Department received a $50,000 grant to rehabilitate the masonry of the Whiting Community Center. The Center was built in 1923 by the Rockefeller family and Standard Oil Company as a memorial for those fought in WWI and to provide a recreation, entertainment, and social activity venue for Whiting, home of the oil company’s largest refinery. The facility is more than 70,000 square feet and includes two gymnasiums, an indoor track, a 12 lane bowling center, indoor swimming pool, billiards room, a 700 seat auditorium, a ballroom, two banquet halls, and a variety of fitness areas. (Contact: Marty Jakubowski, City of Whiting, 219-659-0860).

For more information on the DNR Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology and the Historic Preservation Fund Program, please point your Web browser to http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/

Media Contact:
Steve Kennedy 317-232-6981 or Malia Savarino at 317-232-1648