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.
"Improving Outcomes, Together" theme for National EMS Week
Candidates can begin filing for school board elections on Tuesday
Indiana Natural Resources Commission to hold public hearing for bobcat rule changes
Single-lane closures to impact State Road 63 near Cayuga
Parke County teenage arrested after biting toddler
Duke Energy breaks ground on Cayuga Energy Complex project
Miller, Vincent lead Parke Heritage Class of 2026
May 15 is National Peace Officers Memorial Day
Indiana Conservation Officers seek help finding track chairs stolen from Fort Harrison State Park
Clay County man among six drug traffickers, including one illegal alien, sentenced to decades in federal prison
110th running of the Indianapolis 500 a sellout, local TV delay lifted
Projects wanted for READI 2.0 and Lilly Blight funding
Rockville man nabbed for harmful matter
USDA requires SNAP authorized retailers to carry more real food
Congressman Yakym's staff to hold mobile office hours in Plymouth this month
Indiana state senator working to legalize medical marijuana
“Click It or Ticket” campaign reminds Hoosiers to buckle up
IDEM introduces new “Local Air Quality Advisory” for short‑term conditions
