Right now, in our midst, Ball State University graduate students from the Department of Architecture’s historic preservation program are chronicling the history of some of Rush County’s most notable structures.

The chronicles will be placed on a map that will hopefully enable Rushville to bank on heritage tourism, a phenomenon growing in popularity, in which people travel to experience the places, artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories of people of the past and present and includes cultural, historic and natural resources.

Heading up the project is James Glass, a former professor of architecture and director of the historic preservation program. Glass recently resigned to become the new director of the State Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA), a division of the Department of Natural Resources, but is aiding the county in finishing up the brochures.

“People have a lot of latent information in historic architecture, but may not know terms and details,” Glass said. “This can really bring dollars and cents to the local economy through heritage tourism.”

Though Ball State uses the same brochure template for each community it works with, each town has its own color-scheme. Glass hopes that when enough brochures have been designed, they can be packaged and distributed at the state level to capitalize on the heritage tourism industry and hopefully regulate statewide tours based on brochure information.

The Center for Historic Preservation at Ball State University is undertaking the writing, historical research and graphics for the brochures. The project is slated for completion by the end of spring.

Each Rushville and Rush County brochure will provide summaries of the history and architecture of 20 buildings and notable historic features; a map locating the buildings described and furnishing a tour route; line drawings of the styles of architecture found in the area covered by the brochure, with explanations of each style; a glossary of architectural terms related to the buildings; and a front panel with a graphic design showcasing some distinctive building or buildings in the town.

“Such a brochure, attractively presented in two colors and on high quality paper, can be an effective tool for heritage tourism in Rushville and Rush County,” Glass said. “Many travelers today are drawn to small, historic towns with interesting architecture, and a well-illustrated, authoritative brochure can help the city and county compete with other communities in the region attracting such visitors. In addition, walking tour brochures can serve as an educational resource for school children and adults in the communities and enhance feelings of community pride and identity.”

Mary Ann Bridges, director of the Heart of Rushville, says that the project is nearing completion, but that funding is still needed to cover the cost of printing.

“This project is imperative to Rushville’s history,” Bridges said. “Sometimes, we get negative feedback from those who say, ‘Rushville has nothing to offer,’ but what a lot of people don’t realize is just how rich this community is in history and architecture.”

Bridges feels that the brochure project will bring awareness to Rush County’s most valuable assets.

“There are a lot of things that our residents just aren’t aware of,” Bridges said. “There are places I’d never even heard of before. But I really feel that these brochures will make people appreciate our town more, as well as being an education tool for schoolchildren, tourists and residents alike.”

For information on making a donation contact Bridges at 932-3260 or 932-2214.



Rushville Republican staff writer Elizabeth Gist can be contacted at (765) 932-3111 ext. 109 or via e-mail at elizabeth.gist@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.