CONVERSE, IND. – The newly formed Converse Historical Society, (CHS), received a $3,090 Heritage Support Grant. The grant is for the purchase of supplies and materials needed to properly store donated historical artifacts. Heritage Support Grants are provided by the Indiana Historical Society and made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc.
The mission of the CHS is to collect, preserve, and share artifacts and stories from the Town of Converse and its surrounding area, said Steve Reiff, president of the board of directors for the CHS. This grant buys the young organization time while it builds its membership and still be able to accept and store gifted historical items properly. The board of directors launched the CHS in early August but, a group of people have been meeting for two years laying the ground work.
The grant monies will purchase archival storage materials such as flat files to store newspapers, and posters; photograph envelops, document boxes and specialty papers to make custom sized storage envelops that will not harm items donated by the public, said Bobby Freeman, vice-president of the board and collections director.
“The grant ensures that no artifact will be left behind,” Freeman said. “By helping to fund our preservation efforts, even more of our rich and storied past will be safely and properly collected and shared.”
Members of the community can help by becoming members, donating funds and historical items, and volunteering their time in recording, preserving, and maintaining items received by the CHS, said Board Member Tom Biggs.
He added, “they can help by, being knowledgeable of the history of Converse as it relates and links all generations.”
The Converse Historical Society was one of 12 grants awarded in the competitive grant process.