Historic Resources groups give progress reports
Comet staff report

Editor's note: Bonnie Maxwell contributed information for the following story:

The Historic Resources Task Force had its third meeting Dec. 18. Reports were given by the four action groups, and general plans for the future were discussed.

The meeting was held at the Flora Public Library.

Highlights from the group reports are given below. Anyone interested in becoming involved with these groups can contact the group leaders.

Educating County Residents about Historic Assets

Group leader Jennifer Archibald reported on tools that Mark Smith has developed for possible use in the local schools. These include a quiz and word search games on Carroll County history. Group members will consult with some area teachers, administrators, and Joanne Lytton to see if the schools would be receptive to using these tools. If so, a more expansive curriculum on local history could also be developed. Also discussed was the possibility of 4-H clubs and history clubs using the games.

The group also will be involved with additional distribution of the existing county tourism brochure. Large quantities of the free brochures are still available at Q Graphics.

Mike Floyd offered to investigate including appropriate historical material in a 32-page coloring book which is being developed to facilitate the study of Native American groups.

The educational group also is interested in promoting local oral history projects, and in collecting and making accessible the oral histories already conducted. The county Historical Museum has new equipment that is available for use.

The group will also assist as needed in the development of a brochure which describes the county's history-related organizations.

Historical Museum - Space & Funding

Phyllis Porter reported on the new five-year lease (obtained with the help of Dick N. Bishop) for the museum space in the courthouse. Porter and Martin Gerbens attended a fundraising class. A committee within the Historical Society has been established to explore possibilities for museum relocation. It was noted that a needs assessment and feasibility study are needed, and that it could be possible to get a grant for this study.

Various ideas for locations have been expressed: 1. Downtown vs. other locations. 2. Separate locations for the genealogy collection (downtown) from the museum artifact collection. 3. Buy/rent vs. build. 4. Possible co-location of offices for the museum, Carroll County Historical Society, Delphi Preservation Society, Delphi Main Street, Heritage Transportation Museum, etc.

It will be necessary to have a concrete plan, backed up by facts and figures, to proceed with asking for any large grants for land or building or to solicit funds from the community.

Identification, Marketing, & Organizational Cooperation

Group leader Andy Cougill asked Lynn Corson to report on the recent meeting of the County Chamber's Tourism Committee, which falls within this group's interests. Corson is visiting historic and recreational sites within the county and taking GPS readings so that adequate signage from the highways to these sites can be acquired. He is working with INDOT to determine their requirements for signage and will meet with them in January. A meeting will also be arranged to resolve moving and updating tourism information from the old EDC website to the current Chamber site and also to explore further developing that website to include numerous maps and other tools that will be helpful in promoting tourism. All historic groups with websites will be requested to make links to this information and vice versa. Several more Trail of Death markers for Carroll County are in various stages of planning.

Deer Creek Valley & the HHH - Challenges & Opportunities

Dan McCain reported on the Context-Sensitive Planning process with INDOT. Local groups involved include Delphi Historic Trails, Carroll County Historical Society, Delphi Preservation Society, City of Delphi, Wabash & Erie Canal, Deer Creek Valley Rural Historic District, NICHES Land Trust, and Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. Written responses from concerned citizens and groups are essential to making a unified case for what local people believe should be done in the highway planning.

A consultant has been hired to propose a master plan for the affected area, and various government agencies and offices are being consulted for help with funding, planning, political advice, etc. There is a deadline in the spring for this plan to come together. The next big meeting in regard to the Deer Creek Valley and the HHH will be Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Canal Center for an update and further planning.

In general discussion, David McCain reported that the County Parks Board will be soliciting support from the community after the first of the year to plan for the care, promotion, and further development of the parks. Mike Floyd is working with the group toward possible events at the parks.

It was agreed that meetings of the above groups would be announced to all Historic Resources participants so that more can join these groups as they wish. Another general Historic Resources meeting will be held in late February or March, to be announced later.