Indianapolis, In. — Public comment is being sought on 10 projects that will be funded through the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) program administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA).
The HPF assists publicly owned or private not-for-profit properties that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places with grant money to undertake preservation and rehabilitation activities. The investment of HPF money means the projects are considered a federal undertaking, and public comment is being sought on those projects by June 30. Those projects are:
— Henry County: Ball State University will receive a grant to conduct an archaeological survey of Summit Lake State Park. A Phase Ia investigation, an investigation that includes background research and fieldwork designed to define site boundaries of unsurveyed areas, will be completed. A geophysical survey of two possible mounds and a shovel test pit survey of approximately 30 acres surrounding each mound will also be conducted (a total of about 60 acres).
— Henry County: Ball State University will receive a grant to conduct the second phase of an archaeological survey of the Wilbur Wright Fish & Wildlife Area. This project will include a Phase Ia shovel test pit survey of about 52 acres of fallow agricultural land west of the Big Blue River.
— Indianapolis: The McGowan Hall Knights of Columbus will receive a grant to replace the roof of McGowan Hall, constructed in 1922. The project will address the worst portions of the roof: the sections over the Grand Hall mezzanine and the Grand Hall entry vestibule.
— Jeffersonville: The LifeSpring Health Systems organization will receive a grant to rehabilitate 41 windows and custom build eight storm windows for the arch top of the circa 1870 Sarkisian House.
— Lafayette: Trinity United Methodist Church will receive a grant to stabilize and rehabilitate the north exterior masonry of the 1872 church.
— Newburgh: The Town of Newburgh will receive a grant to rehabilitate the 1851 Preservation Hall, formerly known as Old Newburgh Presbyterian Church. The scope of the grant includes foundation, masonry, woodwork, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning rehabilitation and repair.
— Peru: The Miami Nation of Indians will receive a grant to assist in replacing the roof of the former Peru High School’s gymnasium, Tig Arena. The building serves as the Miami Nation’s headquarters.
— Ripley County: Ball State University will continue a Phase Ia survey of approximately 80 acres around historic homestead sites identified within Versailles State Park. A previous survey recorded 49 sites, and the project will attempt to verify the placement of the remaining 21 locations.
— Rensselaer: The Jasper Newton Foundation will receive a grant to rehabilitate 63 historic windows, replace one double-hung window and preserve all the window-frame units in the Rensselaer Carnegie Library.
— Saint Mary of the Woods: Saint Mary of the Woods College will receive a grant to rehabilitate the masonry, wrought iron gates, and lamp features of the 1918 main entrance gate for the Saint Mary of the Woods and Sisters of Providence campuses.
These are fiscal year 2019 projects that are scheduled to begin in 2019. They must be completed by June 2020. Official grant offers have not yet been made, but DHPA anticipates having enough HPF funds to award them.
To comment or make a request to be a consulting party for any of the projects, send a request to Indiana DHPA, Attn: HPF Grant Staff, 402 W. Washington St., Room W274, Indianapolis, IN 46204, or [email protected]. Include which project or projects you are requesting information for, and DHPA will provide scope of work, maps, and photographs.