State of Indiana

05/22/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/22/2023 08:14

Historic Preservation & Archeology Grants to be Awarded Statewide

Twelve archaeology and historic rehabilitation projects across Indiana will receive grants to research or restore cultural and historic sites.

These projects are funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service's Historic Preservation Fund Program, which is being administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology.

Archeology and historic rehabilitation projects are anticipated to begin this summer and be completed by June 30, 2025.

The proposed scope of work has been reviewed by DHPA staff and determined to meet the Secretary of the Interior's standards and guidelines for historic properties.

Members of the public and consulting parties can comment on each of these projects. To be a consulting party or provide public comments for any projects listed, please contact DHPA by June 30 by emailing Malia Vanaman, grants manager, at [email protected]or sending a request to -

Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Division of Historic Preservation & Archeology
Attn: HPF Grant Staff
402 W. Washington St., Room W274
Indianapolis, IN 46204

The projects that were awarded are:

Archaeology

Harrison and Crawford Counties: A grant toBall State University Applied Anthropology Laboratories will fund an archaeological survey of approximately 60 acres at Harrison-Crawford State Forest. The project will survey the terrace acreage surrounding the Twin Chimney site, a historic home site and farmstead. At least two archaeological site records will be updated, and about 15 new sites are expected to be documented, including suspected lime kilns. Adams and Jay Counties: A grant to Ball State University Applied Anthropology Laboratories will fund an archaeological survey at Limberlost Swamp Conservation Area. The project goal is to understand the use of wetlands by precontact Indigenous populations. Wetland use is under-represented in the Indiana archaeological record. A previous survey of Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve, an area inside Limberlost, uncovered information about the use of the wetland; however, further study of other land parcels is warranted.Steuben County:A grant to Purdue University will fund an archaeological reconnaissance survey at Trine State Recreation Area on approximately 40 acres and will focus on areas that are well-drained and not previously disturbed. The archaeological resources of Steuben County are poorly understood and there are currently no documented archaeological sites in Trine State Recreation Area. Approximately 12 new sites are expected to be documented.

Rehabilitation Projects

Muncie (Delaware County): A grant to the city of Muncie will assist with the rehabilitation of its 1904 Carnegie Library. The HPF funds will be used for roof rehabilitation and repairs to the front entryway and steps. Work will include repairing failed seams in the metal roofing, sealing the termination of metal flashing into the masonry, sealing failed junctures between the metal and EPDM roofing, and correcting ponding on the roof and gutters, particularly at the northeast corner of the building. For maintenance as well as public safety, the project will also seal cracked concrete panels near the main entry and patch or repair damaged treads in the concrete entry stairs. Angola (Steuben County): A grant to the Powers Church and Cemetery Association will assist with the rehabilitation and stabilization of the foundation of the church, which was built in 1876. The original stone foundation appears to have settled or shifted, resulting in bowing of the wall and growing gaps in the original oak floors caused by stresses in the subfloor structure. Several areas of the flooring have buckled or separated from the wall, particularly along the north side. The church previously received HPF funds in 2020 to rehabilitate the steeple and the bell tower, and since that time members have also scraped, repaired, primed, and painted the clapboard siding. Crawfordsville (Montgomery County): A grant to the city of Crawfordsville will assist masonry rehabilitation efforts at the 1901 Neo-Classical style Crawfordsville Masonic Temple. The HPF funds will focus on the east elevation (primary façade) of the building. The work includes repointing the brick and limestone wall and porch as needed, replacing cracked and broken bricks and at least 12 missing or broken limestone balusters, and patching or replacing any failed limestone units. The project is part of a larger effort to restore the building, secure it from water intrusion, and make it more usable.Jeffersonville (Clark County): A grant to Full Power Wisdom, Inc. will assist with exterior rehabilitation of the First Christian Church, which is a contributing resource to the Old Jeffersonville Historic District. The sanctuary was built in 1884 in the Gothic Revival style, and an adjoining office complex was added around 1930. The HPF funds will repair the steeple roof by replacing the singles and ridge caps and replacing or repairing the wood elements such as the fascia, if needed. The funds will also help rehabilitate the arched window and door openings on the south side of the church, repair three windows on the west elevation, and clean and repaint the exterior. Peru (Miami County): A grant to the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana will assist with the rehabilitation of the Peru High School building, which is now the tribe's headquarters. The masonry building exhibits mortar loss, damaged bricks, cracked and spalled limestone units, and corroded steel window lintels. As part of a phased approach to overall masonry rehabilitation, work will be prioritized on the front and sides of the classroom wing. Work will include replacing damaged bricks, replacing or repairing damaged limestone units, and repointing defective mortar joints.Lafayette (Tippecanoe County): The Trinity United Methodist Church will receive $30,000 to rehabilitate the stained glass windows on the north elevation of its building. The project will result in the rehabilitation of six large lancet arched windows. They will be removed and repaired off-site, and a new protective glazing will be included with reinstallation. Terre Haute (Vigo County):A grant to Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church will assist with masonry rehabilitation of the west elevation of its building. This is the first part of a planned multi-phase project, which will include cleaning the masonry and conducting 100% mortar joint repointing on the west side of the building to remove inappropriate past repairs and ensure that the new mortar is the correct formula and has consistent color, texture, tooling, and appearance. Approximately 300 bricks will need to be replaced, including 100 curved bricks on the turreted portion, which is at the northwest corner of the building. The applicant will also explore whether a waterproof coating is necessary or advisable. Columbia City (Whitley County): A grant to the Region 3-A Regional Planning Commission will assist with preservation of the Thomas Marshall House, which was built in 1874. HPF funds will address roof, gutter, window, and wood repairs to deter water infiltration that threatens its long-term preservation. Evansville (Posey County):A grant to the city of Evansville will assist with stabilization of limestone detailing on the tower of the Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse. The bell tower features highly ornate limestone decoration; however, open mortar joints and cracks in the limestone units have worsened from freeze-thaw cycles to the point that a sizable piece broke off and fell through a skylight, creating a safety hazard. This project will undertake resetting or removing loose fragments of limestone and repointing it to halt water infiltration and further masonry deterioration. It will also address other areas of water infiltration.