FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Cameron Nichols
Vice President
Grant awarded for preservation of last Indianapolis streetcar
Unique collaboration between the Marion County Historic Preservation Fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation and Indiana Landmarks awards $3,500 grant to Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company
October 29, 2018 - INDIANAPOLIS, IND. - The newly-formed nonprofit Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company was awarded a $3,500 grant to relocate and stabilize the last-remaining Indianapolis streetcar, Indianapolis Railways No. 153, on Saturday, October 27, 2018. This rare grant request fostered a unique collaboration between the Marion County Historic Preservation Fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation and Indiana Landmarks, ultimately aiding HHTC to enlist a professional contractor to transport the rare and priceless car.
With funding provided in part by Indiana Landmarks, Vice President of Preservation Services Mark Dollase commended the efforts to save Indiana history within an award letter to HHTC. Dollase mentions, “This funding will assist the Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company to complete the relocation and begin restoration of the last known surviving Indianapolis Street Railway streetcar. We understand that the streetcar was nearly scrapped ..., so your efforts to save and eventually relocate the streetcar to Indianapolis is admirable.”
The check was presented Saturday morning at a brief ceremony in Forest Park in front of the streetcar, where several HHTC board members, Indiana Landmarks Vice President of Preservation Services Mark Dollase, and City of Noblesville Deputy Mayor Steve Cooke were present. Dollase added, “While this grant is somewhat unusual for this program, we support your mission to save this important part of Indianapolis transit history and felt it to be a worthwhile recipient.”
William Whitmer, HHTC Board Secretary and grant applicant, added, “We thank Indiana Landmarks for their generous grant to the Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company. This funding will allow us to complete critical work in the preservation of the last remaining Indianapolis streetcar. We look forward to future collaboration with Indiana Landmarks and their dedicated, professional staff.” HHTC personnel were on-site at Forest Park to construct a steel subframe, which will allow for secure transport of the fragile car to a private storage site. Once relocated, the streetcar will remain indoors until restoration can commence.
Indiana Landmarks Vice President of Preservation Services Mark Dollase presents the grant letter and check to Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company Secretary William Whitmer at Forest Park in front of the last Indianapolis streetcar on Saturday, October 27, 2018.
Left to Right: HHTC Treasurer Jakob Stage, Indiana Landmarks Vice President of Preservation Services Mark Dollase, HHTC Secretary William Whitmer and Vice President Cameron Nichols, and City of Noblesville Deputy Mayor Steve Cooke.
About Hoosier Heartland Trolley Co. - Hoosier Heartland Trolley Co. was founded in 2018 to rescue, restore, run and revive the last remaining pieces of Indiana’s electric railway heritage. Hoosier Heartland Trolley Co. exists to spark imagination in people across all walks of life to experience the art, science, culture, technology and economic empowerment of Indiana’s world-renowned electric railway industry from the 20th century. More information regarding preservation efforts, news, development and ways to support can be found at hoosiertrolley.org.
Funding provided in part by Indiana Landmarks.
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