The DNR helps strengthen Indiana’s historical and cultural heritage through annual federal matching grants it awards to communities and not-for-profit groups to assist local preservation projects. This year, the Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology has awarded 14 federal Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grants totaling more than $600,000 for projects in Indiana communities (see list below). In most cases, these grants require a dollar-for-dollar match of local or private funds, for a total projected investment of $1 million.
Funding comes from the National Park Service, a unit of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which distributes federal funds to the states through its HPF program. Since 2000, the state has awarded $11 million to assist more than 500 important heritage preservation projects across Indiana. When combined with local matching funds, this represents an investment of more than $23 million into the preservation of Indiana’s heritage.
Applications for the next round of HPF funding for 2022-2023 are available on the DNR-DHPA webpage: dnr.IN.gov/historic-preservation/help-for-owners/financial-assistance/grants/. The deadline for proposals is Oct. 8, 2021.
Bloomington: The Monroe County Commissioners will receive $60,000 to rehabilitate the Alexander Memorial statue on the grounds of the county courthouse. [Contact: Danielle Bachant-Bell, (812) 336-6141].
Indianapolis: The Athenaeum Foundation will receive a $50,000 grant for masonry rehabilitation of the building’s primary facade. This is the second phase of the project; the Foundation received funding in 2018 that repointed the brick and cleaned the limestone on the western half of the elevation. [Contact: Craig Mince, (317) 655-2755].
Indianapolis: The Benjamin Harrison home will receive a $50,000 grant for window and masonry rehabilitation on the former president’s home. [Contact: Jennifer Capps, (317) 631-1888].
Indianapolis: The Schnull-Rauch House will receive a $17,037 grant for the rehabilitation of windows on the 1904 mansion. The house is currently owned by The Children’s Museum and used as a venue for special events. [Contact: Audra Blasdel, (317) 334-4106].
Jay County: Ball State University will receive $49,845 to conduct archaeological surveys at Loblolly Nature. [Contact: Chris Thompson, (765) 285-5328].
Kokomo: The Howard County Historical Society will receive a $50,000 grant to rehabilitate the original porte cochere attached to the Seiberling Mansion. [Contact: Catherine Hughes, (765) 452-4314].
Lafayette: The St. James Lutheran Church and School will receive $30,000 to rehabilitate the exterior of the School building. [Contact: Keiser, (765) 366-7010].
Madison: The City of Madison will receive a $27,793 matching grant to update and revise the design guidelines for the Madison Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a National Historic Landmark. [Contact: Nicole Schell, (812) 274-0283].
New Albany: The Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana will receive $60,000 for window rehabilitation on the Crawford-Day-Moosmiller House. [Contact: Laura Renwick, (812) 284-4534].
New Harmony: The Working Men’s Institute will receive a $50,000 grant to replace the deteriorated clay tile roof and install a historically accurate slate roof. [Contact: Connie Weinzapfel, (812) 682-4806].
Noble County: Ball State University will receive a $49,992 grant to conduct archaeological surveys at Chain O’Lakes State Park. [Contact: Chris Thompson, (765) 285-5328].
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College will receive a $50,000 grant to assist with rehabilitation of the Cecelian Auditorium and the Conservatory of Music building. [Contact: Susan Dolle, (812) 535-5275].
South Bend: The City of South Bend will receive a $60,000 grant for rehabilitation of the Walker Park Field House. [Contact: Patrick Sherman, (574) 235-5601].
Statewide: Ball State University will receive a $20,000 grant to assist with an ongoing project to identify and document historic synagogues throughout Indiana. The survey will also map the properties into a GIS system and provide research information to help list eligible buildings in the National Register of Historic Places. [Contact: Wendy Soltz, (617) 459-3940).