Wabash County, IN (June 15, 2021) – The Community Foundation of Wabash County (CFWC)
staff and board of directors invite the public to join them in celebrating their 67th year and
return to their newly renovated offices at 220 East Main Street, North Manchester on
Thursday, June 24th
.
To signify the official opening of the new office, Grow Wabash County and Manchester Alive
are partnering in a ribbon cutting on the occasion of the Community Foundation’s open
house. The Ribbon cutting will take place at 1:30 p.m. on June 24th. The public is welcomed
to visit the new offices from noon to 7:00 p.m. also on June 24.
Community Foundation of Wabash County Building History
The Strauss Buildings, 218-222 East Main Street have been the home of many North
Manchester enterprises through its 143-year history. Daniel Strauss in 1878 purchased the
land where the west building sits and established a flour exchange. His son, JW Strauss at age
16, started his apprenticeship in milling by driving a mule team between the Main Street
exchange and the family’s water-powered grain mill on the Eel River. The combined buildings
over the years housed JW Strauss & Sons, Strauss Inc. and up to 1985 Strauss Veal Feeds and
were rented to Gilbert, Naragon, Purdy and Terrill, CPAs. In 2001, 218 East Main became the
home of the Community Foundation of Wabash County until 2016 when a devastating fire
destroyed all three buildings. The Strauss Family has renovated the property for the
Foundation, who are eager to return!
“We look forward to welcoming the community to our new offices,” says Brian Howenstine,
the Community Foundation’s Board President. “We have so appreciated the offices at First
Financial bank since the fire, but we are ready for a larger space to serve Wabash County.”
News Release
Contact: Chelsea Boulrisse, Grow Wabash County, 260.563.5258, chelsea@growwabashcounty.com
Contact: Brooke Vanderpool, Manchester Alive, director@manchesteralive.org
Melissa Ford, Development Associate at the Community Foundation echoes Howenstine’s
sentiments stating, “We are excited to welcome the public to our new space. During the open
house, stories of how Wabash County citizens and organizations have accomplished their
goals through services of the Community Foundation will be showcased. As I’ve been sorting
through stories and photos of the Foundation’s 67 year history in preparation for the event, I
can’t help but feel inspired by the people in our community and for what the future holds for
Wabash County.”
Come and see the Community Foundation’s new offices and be part of the celebration,
Thursday, June 24th
, 12:00 – 7:00 p.m!