Canal group receives grant for interactive multimedia project

Carroll County Wabash and Erie Canal, Inc., has received a $2,000 "Historic Preservation Education Grant" from the Indiana Humanities Council and the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana.

The grant will help fund an interactive multimedia showcase for Canal Park, Delphi, and its Interpretive Center. Narratives, pictures, maps and video of the park's preserved structures, including three National Register sites, will be included, as well as historical reference material on Carroll County.

"We're delighted to help non-profits spread the word about historic preservation through these grants - especially in difficult economic times such as these," said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of the Indiana Humanities Council. "Fostering an appreciation for history among community members and young children will lead to stronger, more vibrant communities."

This year's grants were awarded across the state and totaled $25,000 - the highest one-year amount in the program's history. The projects include K-12 learning experiences, tour brochures, and a traveling barn model. One grant winner is using GPS technology to create a geocaching adventure, a hightech landmark treasure hunt.

"The grant application is simple, and the match can be supplied entirely by volunteer time or in-kind contributions. We make it easy for communities large and small to celebrate landmarks and educate people about preservation," said Marsh Davis, president of Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana.