Grantee spotlight: Madison Main Street

Day in and day out, Indiana Humanities’ grantees and partners are bringing the humanities to life for Hoosiers across the state. From small towns like Jasper to big cities like Fort Wayne, our grantees are creating thoughtful programs, bridging divides and inspiring Hoosiers to think, read and talk. As part of our ongoing efforts to uplift the work of our partners, we’re highlighting past and present grantees and sharing their stories of impact.  

* * * 

In this grantee spotlight, we’re sharing how a Historic Preservation Education Grant did even more for a community than expected—ultimately helping garner national attention. 

In 2022 the Madison Main Street Program received a Historic Preservation Education Grant (HPEG), which Indiana Humanities offers in partnership with Indiana Landmarks. The purpose of the HPEG is to support programs that educate Indiana citizens about historic structures—and particularly about the need to preserve and protect them.  

When it comes to historic places in Indiana, Madison has a lot to work with. The town was founded in 1809, and many of its downtown buildings date back to its early years. With 133 blocks designated as a National Historic Landmark, Madison is a treasure trove of history. Madison Main Street had a specific goal for its HPEG funding: to bring awareness and appreciation of its historic buildings to the community. 

Madison Main Street delivered two phases of programming through the support of the HPEG. First, it hosted four in-person workshops to teach residents how to conduct thorough research on historic buildings and to teach them historically appropriate rehabilitation skills. During the second phase, it modeled how to put research skills into action by investigating one historic block in Madison and then creating a “This Place Matters” traveling history banner that tells the stories of the block in an accessible—but also fun—way. 

The banner that Madison Main Street produced with grant funds, one in a series of history banners developed in the past several years, focuses on the story of Madison’s Scott Block. The buildings along the block have housed many shops, including a wholesale grocery and clothing store. During its research, Madison Main Street connected with relatives of some of the families who have made an impact on the Scott Block, which shows how important projects like this can be for a community. 

“While we anticipated local interest in this project, we were pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic responses from tourists and visitors,” said Austin Sims, Madison Main Street’s executive director. “In the summer of 2023, we were particularly touched by an unexpected visit from Tamie Dehler, a distant relative of the former owner of the Scott Block. While shopping and exploring downtown Madison, she noticed our banner and graciously shared more about her family’s history. Tamie is the great-granddaughter of Valentine Dehler and Katherine Braun, whose businesses in the Scott Block were featured in our 2022 history banner. The Dehlers operated a clothing, shoe, and boot store at 301–309 West Main Street from 1890 to 1920.” 

Without the traveling history banners, people like Tamie may not have been able to see and appreciate the research.  

“The history banners have enhanced our historic district and found a home in the lobbies, break rooms, and entryways of local industry partners and businesses outside of our historic area, helping to share and celebrate our community’s rich history,” Sims said. 

The research continues to make waves in—and far outside of—the Madison community. Main Street America honored Madison Main Street with one of its three 2024 Great American Main Street Awards. On its web page celebrating Madison, Main Street America specifically cites Madison Main Street’s preservation-based workshops and its “This Place Matters” banners as key initiatives, both of which received support from Indiana Humanities.  

Sims praised one of Main Street Madison’s past board members and volunteers, Happy Smith, for helping to connect the organization with Indiana Humanities. 

“Happy encouraged us to apply for grants and opportunities with Indiana Humanities during her tenure. Happy served two full terms with Madison Main Street and has been an amazing volunteer and supporter over the years, and these banners and workshops are a great example of her legacy,” Sims said. 

Though Smith finished her tenure as a board member, the connection she inspired between Madison Main Street and Indiana Humanities has been beneficial. 

“The support from Indiana Humanities has been so helpful in our efforts to educate and inform the public,” Sims said. “We are deeply grateful for the opportunities the grant provided us.”