The Markle Historical Society will soon complete a historic renovation of a cabin, improve a town park and create a new community space and local heritage site.
This project was made possible through fundraising efforts last October, which exceeded their campaign goal of $24,000.
Coinciding, the Historical Society has received a matching grant as part of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program.
The project has taken over five years to complete, and Historical Society members are excited to be nearing the finish line.
“The Markle Historical Society has done an exceptional job of preserving their old pioneer cabin,” said Paul Hayden, director of the northeast field office of Indiana Landmarks. “This project is a community asset and the dollars invested in its restoration honors our past and ensures that this architectural treasure will survive for the benefit of generations to come.”
The Markle Historical Society plans to begin the next phase of this project this week and hopes to see this space utilized by the community soon. Funds will be used to:
• Repair flooring, trim and complete other carpentry projects.
• Clean and strip the exterior logs
• Borate the home to deter pests and prevent rot.
• Apply Perma-Chink exterior stain and clear coat.
• Remove deteriorating chinking.
• Apply new chinking between the logs.
Completing these tasks will ensure the log home is safely sealed, persevered and will allow MHS to look to the future. None of this would be possible without community support.
The Markle Historical Society would like to thank everyone that helped make this possible: Kelly Bender and Scott Stefanides, the Randol family, I-69 Trailer Center, Generations of the Daniel D. McBride Family Since 1904, Markle 66 Tire Center & Families, Matthew and Karissa Ditzler, the Bill and Marsha Thomas family, Gregory Wagoner, Muddy Feet Early Learning, David and Janet Eggiman, Myers Funeral Home, K-K Tool & Design, Inc, First Farmers Bank & Trust, Matthew Doss, David and Carol Yount, Gary Girvin, Wayne Metal LLC, and Lisa Ormsby.
In addition to these donors, The Markle Historical Society would not have reached this goal without the support of the Town of Markle and the Markle Park Board, as well as various granting organizations within our community — the Huntington County Community Foundation (the James and Nancy Breiner Community fund), Berne Ready Mix-St.º Henry Tile Company, and Duke Energy (through a Local Impact Grant) all agreed to fund large portions of this project.
For further contributions to the preservation and restoration of this site, please email savingmarklehistory@gmail.com for more information.
