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Commission previews Indiana Humanities grant and sold-out cemetery walking tour plans
Summary
Staff told the Angola Historic Preservation Commission that it submitted a $2,000 Indiana Humanities grant (with $1,000 city and $1,000 Main Street matches) to install QR codes and fund a downtown walking tour; the commission also finalized logistics for an upcoming cemetery walking tour with 42 tickets sold.
Angola Historic Preservation Commission staff reported Oct. 15 that a grant application has been submitted to Indiana Humanities to fund QR codes for historic buildings and a downtown walking tour. The staff member said she requested $2,000 from Indiana Humanities and proposed $1,000 contributions from both the city and Angola Main Street, producing a $4,000 project budget if awarded. Staff said the commission should know by October and will update members at the next meeting.
The staff presentation described project elements: QR-code signage for historic buildings, a narrated walking tour with an online audio option for those with hearing or vision needs, and updated printed marketing materials and pamphlets. The staff member said the grant application includes funds for marketing and for a moderator or narrator to record audio for accessibility.
Commissioners then moved to event logistics for an upcoming haunted cemetery walking tour. Staff said the public event will be at Commons Hall on John Street; for Oct. 24 the public hours are 5 to 7 p.m., and for Oct. 25 the hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Staff asked volunteers to arrive 30 minutes before their assigned times for registration; registration will be inside Commons Hall with restroom and electricity access. The staff member reported 42 tickets had been sold at the time of the meeting, with the majority sold for the Saturday slots. The Herald Republican was reported to be preparing an article and the staff and volunteers planned a radio appearance to promote the event.
Volunteers and commissioners discussed costumes, actor rehearsals, donated pumpkins and lanterns, docent support from a local student organization, and contingency plans for inclement weather; the staff noted the city’s insurance would cover event liability questions. The commission also discussed using photographs from a local photographer and possible school and college involvement in future walking-tour programming.
If the Indiana Humanities grant is awarded, staff said some of the grant funds would be used to refresh educational brochures and marketing materials that the commission will distribute to downtown property owners and tour participants. Staff proposed drafting an informational letter for property owners in the historic district to explain eligibility for façade grants and the implications of district designation; the commission agreed to review a draft at a future meeting.
The commission did not take a formal vote on the grant at this meeting; staff will report the grant decision and ticketing updates at the next meeting.
