Parke County projects receive grants from the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Fund

Two Parke County projects will receive grants from the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Fund for historical and cultural efforts.

The $600,000 grant funds going to several projects statewide are administered by the Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA) with input from the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission. The funds come from royalties on oil extracted near the Wabash River in southern Indiana.

"To see the future of Indiana, it's important to understand our past," said Dan Borner, DNR director, "These projects all play an important role in preserving our history and helping more people connect with our shared Hoosier heritage."

Among the projects to be awarded:

Parke County - Melcher Covered Bridge Rehabilitation: The Parke County Commissioners will receive $100,000 to rehabilitate the Melcher Covered Bridge near Montezuma.

The structure is one of 31 remaining covered bridges in Parke County. It was closed in 2023 due to the failure of the west abutment and subsequent damage to some of the bridge's structural members. Completion of this project will protect the bridge and should allow it to be reopened.

Parke County - Parke County Historical Museum Rehabilitation: The Parke County Historical Society will receive $20,511 to assist with the rehabilitation of the County Historical Museum, which was built as a seminary in 1839 and has had various uses over time.

Grant funding will enable repairs that will keep water out of the building, including new roofing and gutters, repair and repointing of exterior brick walls and repair of deteriorated windows and wood trim.