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.
-
Overcoming pit bull stereotypes: Shelters call for adoptions in Central Indiana
As March unfolds, so does Pit Bull Education Month, an initiative by the Humane Society for Hamilton County, aimed at reshaping the narrative surrounding one of the most misunderstood dog breeds.
How you can give input to a new community center coming to Decatur Township
Located in Decatur Farms Park at the intersection of Paddock & County Line Rd, the center will bring a much-needed gathering space to a growing neighborhood.
Kokomo Infill Program turns vacant lots into new single-family homes
The Kokomo Infill Program is a partnership between the City and the Kokomo Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit that works to revitalize low-income neighborhoods.
Arsenal Tech student designs Overdose Task Force Unit's first logo
On Monday, students at Arsenal Tech High School were part of an effort to spur change and save lives.
