Versailles, IN — The historic Free & Accepted Masons No. 7 building in Versailles is one of 10 properties around the state to receive $728,671 through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs‘ (OCRA) Historic Renovation Grant Program.
RR2 Properties LLC has been awarded $100,000 to restore the circa 1870 Italianate structure located on the historic courthouse square in Versailles.
The 7,000-square-foot property was home to the Masonic Lodge and the Austin Theater for many years.
Plans call to rehab the building to be an event venue and hotel to host weddings, reunions, and social gatherings, as well as provide lodging for visitors to Versailles State Park.
The project includes the removal of the existing roof, installation of a new roofing system, installation of new gutters and downspouts, and replacement of windows, frames, and sashes.
Also included in the project is the rehabilitation of the storefront and replacement of exterior doors for both the main building at 117 Tyson Street and the historic addition.
The OCRA Historic Renovation Grant Program is designed to preserve and rehabilitate historic properties to further incentivize downtown economic development across Indiana.
“As we advance as a state, it is important to reflect on our past,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “Thanks to the Historic Renovation Grant Program, these 10 properties will be around to inspire generations of Hoosiers for years to come.”
Eligible properties for this grant program must be at least 50 years old and either listed on the register of Indiana historic sites and structures, be listed or eligible for listing to the National Register of Historic Places, or be listed as a contributing resource in a National Register District.
Awarded properties will receive funding for the renovation and preservation of exterior features.
“The Historic Renovation Grant Program has already created an ongoing positive impact in a number of communities,” said OCRA Executive Director Denny Spinner. “This grant round will help these 10 communities to preserve their Hoosier history while fueling economic development.”
The following projects will also be awarded funding:
Milligan Building (Huntington)
Ian Stallings is awarded $100,000 to restore the exterior of the Milligan Building. The Victorian-era building, built on N Jefferson Street in 1889, is included in the Huntington Courthouse Square National Register Historic District. The Silver Moon III Pub and an art gallery will be on the street level. High-end apartments and living/studio space for Wabash International Artists Residency (WIAR) are planned for the second and third floors.
Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library (Indianapolis)
The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library (KVML) is awarded $100,000 to support its “Care for KVML and 543 Indiana Avenue” project. This three-story 10,400 square-foot literary landmark is a flatiron-style structure built in 1882. The non-historic exterior insulation and finish systems surrounding the windows, and the non-historic windows will be replaced to mirror the original windows. The property will continue to be a unique cultural resource that houses artifacts, books, a museum store, and art related to Kurt Vonnegut.
Mansard on Main (Madison)
Brantley and Katie Beck are awarded $100,000 to preserve and restore the Mansard on Main. Located in the Golden Block of downtown Madison, this rare Second Empire Style building has three original apartments overlooking Main Street and The Ohio River, along with two historic storefronts. The 8,000-square-foot property is planned to be two retail spaces on Main Street, with three residential apartments on the second and third floors.
Brick Street Restaurant LLC (North Vernon)
Located in North Vernon, the Brick Street Restaurant is awarded $61,693 to preserve and restore the original façade, including masonry work and replacement of non-historic windows with period-appropriate windows. The building was built in the 1870s and was home of the Couchman Fur business for much of the 1900s. The Brick Street Restaurant has preserved the historical atmosphere of the building and has become a local hometown dining establishment.
Balcony Block Building (Plymouth)
JGM Properties is awarded $45,162 to restore the Michigan Street façade and replace the roof of the Balcony Block Building. The building is located at 113-115 North Michigan Street in Plymouth. This Italianate building is a contributing resource in the Plymouth Downtown National Register District. The building is home to Wild Rose Moon, a performing arts and education venue, and soon-to-be Aldridge Internal Medicine & Family Practice, a professional business. Both businesses contribute substantially to the economic activity in the historic downtown. The second floor of this building contains two recently renovated urban loft apartments and one recently renovated small office space.
Roachdale Hardware (Roachdale)
Charles Riggle is awarded $19,050 to preserve Roachdale Hardware to preserve the brick-and-mortar of the historic building. Since opening its doors in 1900, 101 E. Washington Street has served Roachdale as the local hardware store. The building has always been and continues to be a “community essential.” This preservation project will keep this significant community treasure from becoming a memory.
Dr. Jefferson Helm House (Rushville)
Ronald V. Morris is awarded $100,000 to preserve and return to service the Dr. Jefferson Helm House. Located in Rush County, Dr. Helm built the small but distinctive home in 1845 reminiscent of the ideas of Thomas Jefferson. The property represents the faith and promise the pioneer ancestors placed in the aspiring state of Indiana, the power of education and the virtue of science. The property will be adapted into a social gathering place to host tours, special events, and educational gatherings. Preservation work will include masonry restoration, chimney restoration, repair/restore roof, replacing non-historic windows with new period appropriate wood windows, repair/restore porch rails and columns, repair and replacement of historic doors, and reconstruction of two missing side porches based on physical evidence.
Brett-Burton House (Washington)
Dusty Davis & Ryan Dashner are awarded $68,510 to restore and preserve the Brett-Burton House. This grand display of Greek Revival house was built by Matthew Brett in 1850 and later converted in 1910 by Jesse Burton. The building was used as the Liverpool Lodge #110 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for 80 years. This property is planned to be space available for the public to enjoy, possibly a restaurant and meeting space. The project will include masonry tuckpointing, restoration of the porch, original wood windows, upper facade and eaves, restoration of the exterior doors, and removal of non-historic features.
Historic Davis Building (Winchester)
John and Katie Lash are awarded $34,256 for the preservation of the Historic Davis Building, which occupies the corner of Franklin and Main Street on the Winchester Courthouse Square. The building was originally built in 1927 as additional spaces were needed in Winchester as a result of the gas boom. Many small business and residential tenants have fond memories of its service through the years. This historic renovation project will open up the unique glass atrium, restore masonry, and refinish doors and windows. Further, this project will create a space with multi-use opportunities for more community members to enjoy for years ahead.
From 2021 to 2022, the Historic Renovation Grant Program received more than 80 applications with requests totaling over $5 million.
While applicants must provide at least a dollar-for-dollar cash match, the program continues to leverage significantly more than the State’s investment into these projects, resulting in a greater economic impact for awarded communities.
Applications were scored based on appropriate historical criteria, extensive support from local residents, and the economic impact the project would have on the greater community and the State of Indiana.
For more information, visit in.gov/ocra/historic-
(Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs press release)
