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.
-
Indy mother pleads for answers in son's 2024 homicide
An Indianapolis mother is pleading for answers about her son's murder in 2024. It's been almost two years since he was shot and killed, and the question of who killed him remains unanswered.
Indiana Congressman Jim Baird announces the passing of his wife Danise
The office of Congressman Jim Baird, who represents Indiana's 4th district in the U.S. House of Representatives, announced the passing of his wife, Danise, on Sunday.
A new chapter for young readers: UIndy hosts first-ever Community Literacy Day
The University of Indianapolis hosted its first-ever Community Literacy Day on Saturday, bringing together families, authors and educators to promote childhood literacy.
Local lawmakers and Hoosiers react to U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran
Tensions ran high in Indianapolis Saturday as Hoosier protesters rallied downtown for what they called an anti-war demonstration.
