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Angola HPC plans expanded Circle Hill cemetery tours, secures grant for downtown QR walking tour
Summary
The Angola Historic Preservation Commission discussed expanding Circle Hill cemetery tours (shorter presentations, more frequent tours), using about $600 in downtown funds for lighting, coordinating volunteers and docents, and a 2027 Indiana Humanities grant to add QR-code audio/video stops on about 10 downtown buildings.
At its July 15, 2026 meeting, the Angola Historic Preservation Commission outlined plans to expand its Circle Hill cemetery tour program, address equipment and staffing needs, and begin work on a city-backed walking tour using QR codes funded by an Indiana Humanities grant.
Allison, the HPC staff member, said Angola Main Street will handle ticket sales and Trine University students and a volunteer theater troupe (Trine Theater) will portray historical characters. The commission plans to shorten individual character presentations to five to seven minutes and run tours every 15 minutes to reduce wait times and minimize actor downtime; Allison said last year's events sold out and organizers had to turn away "about 30 to 40 people." "We have a little bit of money from last year that's in, like, our downtown fund right now," Allison said; she reported roughly $600 in the account and recommended using funds to buy lighting and replace lanterns.
Commissioners discussed practical needs for route lighting. Chair Lou Anne noted concerns about solar power in rainy weather: "I don't know about solar because it could be rainy and then it wouldn't work," she said. Commissioners agreed more lanterns and clearer check-in and docent procedures were needed so actors and volunteers can find locations on a dark route and guide attendees safely.
Allison described additional logistics: Angola Main Street will host ticket sales, the Pleasant Township trustee approved Circle Hill as a location, and the group will coordinate with Kathy Aldridge, a local historian who prepares background material for actors. The commission discussed using a local venue ("Carmensal") for check-in and arranging HPC volunteer coverage on tour nights.
Separately, Allison described a grant from Indiana Humanities to fund QR codes on about 10 downtown historic buildings. The codes will link to audio or video narratives and will be made accessible (audio descriptions for visually impaired visitors); Allison said the city is building a short HPC page that will host or link to the content. The project is planned for 2027, with a grant deadline/usable period around August 2027.
Allison also reviewed the commission's recent photo contest for Historic Preservation Month: entries increased to 15 from three last year, winners received prize packages from Main Street and small trophies purchased by the city, and the photos will be used for outreach and website content.
The commission closed the meeting and scheduled its next regular session for Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 4:30 p.m.
