The “Vevay Historic District” nomination for the National Register of Historic Places has passed Technical Review at the State level.
The Indiana Department of Preservation & Archeology notified Candy Hudziak on May 25th that this first hurdle has been achieved. Hudziak is the Professional Preservation Consultant who is handling the nomination.
This project was started here at the local level in when Michele James Thompson was the Vevay Main Street Director. Thompson gained financial support from Vevay Main Street, the Town of Vevay, the Vevay-Switzerland County Foundation and Indiana Landmarks “Partners in Preservation” in order to hire a professional consultant to do the work.
A committee of four was formed in 2010 to shepherd the project through the long nomination process. Committee members are: Ann Farnsley, Joyce Benbow, Michele James Thompson, and Martha Bladen. Several public meetings were held to garner public support, with positive results.
Now that Technical Review has been completed, “Substantive Review” will begin. This is review by selected members of the Indiana State Review Board. Listing on the National Register of Historic Places is the final step in the process and could take as long as 18-21 months.
To date, there are eight sites in Switzerland County listed on the Register. They are: the Eggleston House (1973), the Merit-Tandy Farmstead (1977), the Old Hoosier Theatre (1982), the Benjamin Schenck Mansion (2002), the Switzerland County Courthouse (2009), the Thiebaud Farmstead (2004), Venoge Farmstead (1997), and the Thomas T. Wright House (1980).
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States’ official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance. A property listed in the NRHP may qualify for tax incentives derived from the total value of expenses incurred preserving the property. The NRHP is administered by the National Park Service, an agency within the United States Department of the Interior.
For more information contact Ann Farnsley (812) 571-4098 or Joyce Benbow (812) 427-9491