Through its Heritage Support Grants program, the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) awarded over $49,000 to 16 local history organizations representing 14 Indiana counties.
The program provides funding for high-priority projects in the areas of collections stewardship, capacity building, sustainability, and planning at local, county, and regional historical societies, museums, and sites across Indiana.
Heritage Support Grants are provided by the Indiana Historical Society and made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc.
The most recent recipients include:
Acting Ensemble, St. Joseph County
Acting Ensemble received $1,349 to fund scriptwriting and research for a play and exhibit about the South Bend Golden Hawks women’s professional football team, expanding access to the history of women’s sports in Indiana.
Adams County Historical Society, Adams County
Adams County Historical Society received $4,999 to assist in the completion of a roof repair of the 1902 Charles A. Dugan mansion, which houses its collections, in an effort at preservation and sustainability as the mansion.
Cedar Lake Historical Association, Lake County
Cedar Lake Historical Association received $4,999 to repair the flooring and ceiling in the dining room at Lassen’s Resort as well as to install interpretive materials and chairs, enabling CLHA to continue developing its culinary heritage programming.
Chautauqua Wawasee, Kosciusko County
Chautauqua Wawasee received $1,600 to fund speakers for its 2025 “Digging Through History” program series which features presentations of Myaamia and Potawatomi history and culture to educate the public about Indiana’s Indigenous heritage.
Friends of the Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County, Montgomery County
Friends of the Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County received $2,721 to purchase 14 data loggers and monitoring software to track environmental conditions across the Carnegie Museum which will ensure proper environmental conditions for their collections, as well as guide future HVAC upgrades.
Hamilton County Historical Society, Hamilton County
Hamilton County Historical Society received $3,700 to create the Levinson Story Walk, a self-guided walking tour with signage and QR codes that highlight Noblesville landmarks connected with the influential Levinson family.
International Circus Hall of Fame, Miami County
International Circus Hall of Fame received $1,950 for the purchase of archival materials including photo album storage boxes, acid-free Tyvek, and photograph sleeves ensuring their collections will be preserved in a stable and archivally safe manner.
Jackson County History Center, Jackson County
Jackson County History Center received $4,999 to repair damaged soffits, rafters, and guttering on its Ball Museum helping to prevent water damage to artifacts and allow for continued public access to its collections.
Kosciusko County Historical Society, Kosciusko County
Kosciusko County Historical Society received $4,916.25 to digitally photograph, print, and rebind 27 rare assessor’s plat books from 1880–1891 which will preserve records, allow for online accessibility of the records.
Pike County Historical Society, Pike County
Pike County Historical Society received $1,990.40 to fund a conservation assessment of 187 Pike County courthouse books dated from 1833-1974 to address deterioration, develop a preservation plan, and prepare the collection for future digitization, ensuring future access.
Pleasant Lake Historical Society, Steuben County
Pleasant Lake Historical Society received $4,027 to replace damaged flooring in its 1950s-era Barbershop, restoring the classic checkerboard design and ensuring safety for visitors and preservation of its collections.
Pulaski County Historical Society, Pulaski County
Pulaski County Historical Society received $2,415 to purchase and install mountings for historic photos in a Pocket Park exhibit which will assist in the historical interpretation of county history.
Rush County Historical Society, Rush County
Rush County Historical Society received $4,900 to restore a rare Penny-farthing bicycle from its collection, enhancing community engagement by connecting it with Rush County’s annual Wendell Willkie Day event, boosting historical interest among residents and visitors.
Shelby County Historical Society, Shelby County
Shelby County Historical Society received $1,000 funding presenters for its annual “Juneteenth: A Day for All” celebration which will allow for educational programming about black heritage in Shelby County, promoting an inclusive and educational experience.
The Indiana Album, Inc, Marion County
The Indiana Album, Inc. received $2,000 to hire consultants for board leadership training which will strengthen governance practices, clarify leadership roles, and improve fundraising strategies, ultimately bolstering the organization’s long-term sustainability.
Whiting-Robertsdale Historical Society, Lake County
Whiting-Robertsdale Historical Society received $2,433 to purchase archival storage materials which will ensure proper preservation of thousands of historical photographs and artworks and to prepare for a future climate-controlled storage space.
