HISTORIC MADISON, INC. ANNOUNCES IMPORTANT GRANT AWARD

Receives an important matching grant

Historic Madison, Inc. (HMI) President John Staicer announced today at its Annual Meeting it has received an important matching grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation in Janesville, WI. The grant will enable HMI to conduct an in-depth study of the history and current condition of the ca. 1818 Jeremiah Sullivan House to guide future preservation of this important house museum. The study, called a Historic Structure Report, will be conducted later this year and will be written by a leading architectural firm. HMI will need to raise additional funds to match the Jeffris’ grant dollar-for-dollar. The Jeremiah Sullivan house is recognized nationally for its architectural design and preservation. The Sullivan family and its descendants have played important roles in local, state and American history. See: www.historicmadisoninc.com for more information.

In other news from the HMI Annual Meeting, John Staicer reported the following 2021 highlights and accomplishments:  HMI continued implementing its strategic plan by moving its offices to the rehabilitated ca. 1816 Talbott-Hyatt House at 301 West Second Street, completing its goal of creating a historic campus for the organization;  The group sold the 1890 kit home at 222 West Second Street to a responsible new owner with a preservation easement to protect the historic look of the exterior. This 1890 Victorian is nestled in the heart of Madison’s National Historic Landmark District at one of Indiana’s most historic street corners.

 Completed repairs to two properties damaged by the June 19 Crooked Creek Flash Flood. Flood insurance proceeds helped with the repairs and restoration at the Schroeder Saddletree Factory Museum at 106 Milton Street. A generous grant from the Cox Funds of the Central Indiana Community Foundation and private contributions helped pay for the cleanup and repairs of the 1850 former African Methodist Episcopal Church building at 309 East Fifth Street. The AME property is now being rented by a new church congregation and so has been returned to its original use as a house of worship.  Updated exhibits at both the Dr. Hutchings Museum and the Schroeder Saddletree Factory.  Created new online historical content about Madison in collaboration with the State of Indiana, Indiana University – Purdue University at Indianapolis - see: www.historicmadisoninc.com 

Community volunteers led tours for more than 3,000 visitors through HMI historic properties during special programs and regular tours. Volunteers also gave free architectural walking tours, researched, sorted and cataloged artifacts, and much more. Staicer also reported on the organization’s other efforts in 2021 to enhance Madison’s quality of life through historic preservation:  HMI staff and volunteers are actively engaged with the City and the broader community on a number of exciting preservation and quality of life initiatives. These include the Madison Stellar Communities initiative, the rehabilitation of the former 1885 Cotton Mill into a hotel, the rebirth of the former Tower Tack factory into a senior citizen housing complex, and participation in the Jefferson County Tourism Alliance. At the board meeting immediately after the Annual Meeting, the following officers were elected for one year terms: Kevin Yancey, Chair; John Staicer, President; Lisa Cutshall, VicePresident; John Muessel, Treasurer; and, Jill Wiest, Secretary.

Staicer announced upcoming highlights for 2022, which include:  HMI Museum properties, including the Shrewsbury-Windle House, the Dr. Hutchings Office & Museum, Sullivan House, Costigan House and Schroeder Saddletree Factory open for public visitation May 2. Days and hours vary – please follow our social media or check our website for details. Group tours are welcome year round with reservations.  New virtual tours & videos of our museum properties are being created and will be available free online later this year.  Architecture Walking tours begin in May – see social media and website for details.  June 3 marks the return of the HMI Preservation Gala at Shrewsbury-Windle House. More details about this ticketed event will be available in the near future.  June 17 -18 is the SAVE THAT SASH Wood Window Restoration Workshop. See social media and website or go to https://bit.ly/savethatsash to register or for more information. Historic Madison, Inc. was founded in 1960 to save the Jeremiah Sullivan house from demolition. The non-profit organization plays a key role in the preservation, restoration, education, and development of the Madison community. Historic Madison continues to encourage preservation and restoration of buildings and monuments having historical and architectural significance; to provide additional museums for the public; and to encourage restoration of properties in Madison’s National Historic Landmark District. For more information about membership or volunteer opportunities, visit our website, www.historicmadisoninc.com, call us at 812-265-2967 or find us on social media.