The Thorntown Heritage Museum is working with Elements 5 Arts and Wellness to host a new fundraiser to raise money for its barn restoration project. “Quilt Square Painting: a Thorntown Heritage Museum fundraiser” is on Oct. 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Thorntown Public Library meeting rooms.
The Thorntown Heritage Museum displays artifacts donated by or purchased from Thorntown/Sugar Creek residents and their families highlighting the town’s rich military, farming, business, school, basketball, Native American and black history. The house was built between 1863 and 1867 by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Shipp. In 1977, it was donated to The Society for the Preservation of our Indiana Heritage, which is now Sugar Creek Historical Society, Inc. The barn behind the property was purchased in 2021 with the intention to expand the museum collection and offer more programming on site.
“It is important that we create a space where we can share more of our community’s history with our youth and those who come to visit our beautiful town,” said Kirsten Wamsley, Director of the Thorntown Heritage Museum and Local History and Genealogy librarian and Thorntown Public Library. “Without additional space, we limit what history we can share and risk losing those very important stories as our ancestors pass away.”
Sugar Creek Historical Society (SCHS) hopes to work with the Boone County Basketball Hall of Fame to showcase a permanent Thorntown/Sugar Creek basketball history exhibit in the barn, as well as have a larger space to offer on-site programming and events. Currently, programming that attracts more than 10-15 people goes beyond capacity and has to be moved off site. This includes the museum’s annual Ice Cream Social fundraiser that frequently has to be moved in the event of rain.
Since the purchase of the barn, SCHS has been working to make safety and cosmetic improvements. These improvements include repairing flooring, the foundation, windows and siding, a stairway, doors and entryways and making the sidewalk ADA compliant. SCHS has been working with Dunwoody Construction (Thorntown) on this project. To date, the society has contributed $21,050 toward major renovations for the project. However, in order to continue safety improvements, the society now needs to raise $14,300 by next July to finish the project. As of August 21, $1,927 has been raised. Several community groups have agreed to volunteer time for additional improvements like painting and donating a new furnace.
In addition to applying for grants and creating merchandise to sell, the museum is offering new fundraisers. Participants of “Quilt Square Painting: a Thorntown Heritage Museum fundraiser” will paint a pre-stenciled quilt square in their own colors under the guide of a teacher. They have their choice of a 12×12 inch canvas for $30 and a 12-inch pressed wood square for $40. Participants must register at the Thorntown Public Library or on the library’s website by Sept. 20. They can pay ahead of time by coming into the library or using this link. Cash, card and check are accepted. If people are interested in supporting the project, but cannot attend the event, they can donate at the Thorntown Public Library, the museum or using this link.
