The Pilot News - Historical Society project on track

Dr. Ron Liechty said several members have held progress meeting every two weeks for months and the project is right on schedule. Liechty noted that the windows on the second floor of the expansion site located next to the existing museum have been removed and inside work is in progress.
A second announcement by Liechty brought a warm round of applause. Liechty said there is an opportunity to apply for more funds for the expansion.
He said, “We are on the top of the list to get an additional $528,000.”
After the meeting, he said the society has not received the application as yet and will have to review it for what could be included.
Liechty said if they were able to receive additional funding it would be used to complete the outside of the old corner building and some of the work on the transportation exhibit. He said they have had an expert working on the design of the exhibit and they would know shortly what that exhibit would look like and cost.
Following are the newly elected board of trustees: Dr. Tom Buchanan, Emilie Huffman, Charles Dalton, Sandy Wallace and Mary Ann Norris. They were elected unanimously at the meeting.
Liechty recognized the staff of the museum for their outstanding contributions.
They include Linda Rip-py, executive director; Judy McCollough, historical archive manager; Karen Rettinger, research library specialist; and Suzanne Barth, curator.
Rippy thanked the many volunteers who work in museum. Those receiving recognition for volunteering more than 200 hours for the 2008-09 year in-cluded: Sherry Benedict, Marilyn Gochenour, Barbara Quivey and Carol Sarber.
Receiving certificates for over 100 hours were: Roma Garnand, Karen Marks, Linda Metheny, Dorothy Millea, Mary McKee, Mary Ann Norris, Norma Ripley, Harriet Scheetz, and Evy Wenino. Marsha Pasley has volunteered for many hours and has now assumed the duties of secretary.
Entertaining the group with his slide show program of Indiana courthouses was David Enyart. His presentation entitled “The History and Evolution of Indiana Courthouses” was put together after years of research on the topic. He started the project in 2005.
During his four years of collecting photos and drawings of past and current courthouses, he counted as many as 338 that were built in Indiana from 1802-2003.
Enyart said there are now 93 courthouses in the state, plus five more buildings that house superior courts.
Enyart said, “These are magnificent structures. If you lose them, you’ll never get them back.”