LEBANON — Historic preservation of buildings can be an expensive and complicated mission, but Indiana's leading preservation non-profit group hopes to make it easier by awarding grants.
Indiana Landmarks is now taking applications for the Standiford Cox grant, which is awarded to buildings important to Indiana's Black history. The organization doled out more than $200,000 in Standiford Cox grants in 2024.
The program was planned by its namesake, who was Eli Lilly's first Black chemist. Cox passed away in 2019 and Indiana Landmarks handed out its first Cox grants in 2020.
"Stan was a tremendous person with a great deal of vision, and we are all benefiting from that today," said Mark Dollase with Indiana Landmarks. "If we can assist in that by fulfilling Stan's mission to aid Black heritage sites across the state, then we will try to make it happen."
Missy & Kevin Krulik received $30,000 from the program last year to restore a long-abandoned African Methodist Episcopal Church in Lebanon built in 1880.
"We would not have been able to do the project without the grant, it would have been too much for us," Missy Krulik said. "There was really bad rot along the foundation."
The Kruliks hope to reopen the church as a short-term rental option featuring a gallery honoring its past.
"Even in the shape that it's in with no paint, we still have people stop us and say it looks great," Krulik said.
Indiana Landmarks has awarded 74 Standiford Cox grants totaling more than $1 million since the program's inception.
This year's grant applications are due before April 1.
-
Allies for Humanity launches winter emergency support for neighbors in need
The nonprofit is offering barrier-free care and overnight shelter this winter, in order to fill in the gaps that the city isn’t covering.
Rockstar Pizza's generosity comes full circle as the community rallies to help
Mathews co-owns the restaurant with her husband, Ron. When their main oven recently broke down, they tried to repair it but ultimately had to accept that it was beyond saving.
Ellettsville, Richland Township considering consolidation
Members of the Ellettsvlle and Richland Township boards talked about the possibility of consolidation at a work session on Friday afternoon.
Building ice while warm and sunny: Local rinks gear up for opening day
Despite temperatures in the 60s and 70s, preparations are underway to get outdoor ice skating rinks ready for the first skate of the season.
