Indiana Historical Society Provides More Than $500,000 to Local Historical Organizations through Latest Heritage Support Grants

Through its Heritage Support Grants program, the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) awarded more than $500,000 in the first half of 2023 to 19 local historical societies and organizations representing 14 Indiana counties.

The IHS’s Heritage Support Grants program supports local, county and regional historical societies, museums and sites. The grants fund projects that meet high-priority needs in the areas of Collections Stewardship, DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion), Sustainability and Planning.

Heritage Support Grants are provided by the Indiana Historical Society and made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The current iteration of the program will award $2.5 million to local historical organizations until 2024. Learn more at www.indianahistory.org/grants.

The most recent recipients include:

Heritage Support Grants 2.0 – Project Grant, Cycle D Award Summaries

Carmel Clay Historical Society, Hamilton County

The Carmel Clay Historical Society received $25,000 for expenses related to moving and preparing collections for transfer to its new museum building, ensuring collections are safely cared for during the transition.

Cass County Historical Society, Cass County

The Cass County Historical Society received $5,000 to fund a structural analysis of the Jerolaman-Long Home Museum in order to prepare for future repair and restoration efforts.

Cedar Lake Historical Association, Lake County

The Cedar Lake Historical Association received $45,000 to repair and restore the exterior and windows of the Lassen’s Resort Hotel. The work will help stabilize the building and create a secure envelope for the museum’s collections.

Evansville African American Museum, Vanderburgh County

The Evansville African American Museum received $25,000 to fund the Alfred Porter House revitalization project. Interior repairs to the building will provide space for exhibits and programs focusing on Evansville’s Black schools and their activities.

Evansville Wartime Museum, Inc., Vanderburgh County

The EWM, Inc. received $50,000 to install a temperature and humidity-controlled collections storage space allowing the museum to improve its ability to preserve the historic materials in its collections.

Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Allen County

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society received $15,000 to stabilize the historic Pleasant Lake Station, preparing the building for future use as a museum and interpretive site for the area’s railroad history.

Friends of the Knox County Public Library, Knox County

The Friends of the Knox County Public Library received $28,122 to fund project-related staff to scan and index county records relating to the early Black history of Knox County, making these important records more accessible to researchers.

Friends of the National New York Central Railroad Museum, Elkhart County

The Friends of the National New York Central Railroad Museum received $36,441 to replace windows in the museum’s collection of train cars, securing the interiors and readying the cars for future restoration work.

Goshen Historical Society, Inc., Elkhart County

The Goshen Historical Society, Inc. received $40,000 to fund the repair and restoration of the second floor of the museum, preparing the space for museum exhibits as well as providing space for collections work and archives.

Indiana Entertainment Foundation, Marion County

The Indiana Entertainment Foundation received $23,063 to purchase an audio kiosk and support materials, allowing visitors to listen to a rich archive of music produced by Hoosier artists.

Indiana Genealogical Society, Marion County

The Indiana Genealogical Society received $16,000 to build a new website, combining multiple information files and allowing easier research access to the databases compiled by the organization.

Indiana National Road Association, Marion County

The Indiana National Road Association received $13,500 to develop STEM-related history exhibits in Paramount Englewood Middle School and Purdue Polytechnic High School.

International Circus Hall of Fame, Miami County

The International Circus Hall of Fame received $50,000 to fund wing roof repairs to the National Historic Landmark circus barn that houses the museum’s collections, helping to provide a secure and stable envelope for collections objects.

Jay County Historical Society, Inc., Jay County

The Jay County Historical Society, Inc. received $25,000 to replace worn flooring throughout the museum, creating a safer, more practical environment for programs and collections.

Powers Church and Cemetery Association, Steuben County

The Powers Church and Cemetery Association received $23,000 to repair the shifting and damaged foundation of the Powers Church, allowing the building to continue to be used for history-related programs and exhibits.

Starke County Historical Society, Inc., Starke County

The Starke County Historical Society, Inc. received $17,750 to fund repairs to the historic Schricker House, securing the building envelope and furthering the restoration of the structure for use as a museum.

Steuben County Historical Society, Steuben County

The Steuben County Historical Society received $24,500 to fund a historic structures report along with the repair and restoration of the porch at the Cline Memorial, home of the historical society.

Swiss Heritage Society, Inc., Adams County

The Swiss Heritage Society, Inc. received $37,400 to re-roof the Hauenstein Cider Press, allowing the operational press to continue to be used to interpret settlement history and to engage museum visitors.

The Quilters Hall of Fame, Grant County

The Quilters Hall of Fame received $25,000 to install an HVAC system in the PCC & St. Louis Train Depot to prepare the structure to house exhibits, collections storage, a research library and classroom.

Guidelines and applications are available on the IHS website at www.indianahistory.org/grants or by calling the IHS at (317) 232-1882. For more information, visit indianahistory.org or call (317) 232-1882.

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