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About Historic Metamora Inc.
The organization was
originally incorporated as a non-profit entity, Metamora Shopkeepers Inc. in
1975. With the purpose of promoting tourism in Metamora and Franklin
County, Indiana; support the local infrastructure of the town of Metamora;
and to preserve the historical district of Metamora. Membership at that
time was open to businesses operating in the historic district as designated
in the Unified Planning and Zoning Ordinance of Franklin County.
In May 1990 the
articles of incorporation were amended to change the name of the group to
Historic Metamora Inc. This helped to refocus the group to historic
preservation purposes and open membership beyond business owners in Metamora
In 1999 restated
articles of incorporation were filed. This restatement formalized the
primary purpose of the corporation as education and history as related to
the town of Metamora and the Indiana Canal Era of 1830 to 1860.
Projects undertaken
over the years by Historic Metamora include:
- Bronze interpretive plaques
bought and installed on the buildings designated as contributing
structures in the listing of the Metamora Historic District on both the
state and national Register of Historic Places.
- Fingerposts
with street names installed at the major intersections in the Metamora
Historic District
- Stewardship of
various articles, photos and other memorabilia related to Metamora and the
surrounding area that have been donated by individuals over the years.
- Sponsorship
of Metamora Music Days, a festival of old time music occurring over the
Labor Day weekend.
- Initial
sponsorship of traditional Fourth of July activities in the village, most
particularly the parade and aerial fireworks. Responsibility for funding
of and permit applications for aerial fireworks have been shifted to the
Metamora Volunteer Fire Dept.
Principal fundraising
activity for the organization is Canal Days, a fall festival held on the
first weekend in October.
Long term goal of the
group is to acquire a suitable structure in Metamora to be used for
meetings, storage, and interpretive displays related to the history of the
town, canal and surrounding region. Short term goal is to continue as the
chief avenue of historic information, and to provide further education and
training in historic preservation issues to the community.
Historic Metamora Inc.
is an affiliate member of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, whose website can be reached by
clicking here.
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