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Indiana Bicentennial Celebration 2016

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Legacy Projects > Restoration of Putnam County Civil War Soldier’s Monument Restoration of Putnam County Civil War Soldier’s Monument

This project will fully restore Putnam County’s Civil War Soldier’s Monument. The monument was the 3rd Civil War Monument (CWM) dedicated in Indiana. It was the 1st CWM in Indiana with a human figure. It is located in a cemetery, not Court House Square. It is the only county CWM in Indiana with a seated figure. It is approximately 30’ tall. Participants at the 2 July 1870 dedication included Governor Baker, Gen. Lew Wallace, President Bowman of Asbury College (DePauw University), Indiana’s Attorney General and Secretary of State and representation from numerous military units. Attendance estimates range from 5,000-10,000.

Q&A with Legacy Project Coordinator Phillip J. Gick

What do you consider the key accomplishment of your Legacy Project?

  • Restoration of the County's 146 year old Civil War Monument. The project will be completed in June 2017 and will have taken over 5 years from conception to completion. $70,000 was raised locally for the project and the State provided a $40,000 Heritage Preservation Fund Grant. The effort received support from across the county over an extended period of time and underscored the community's support of those who serve and make the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

Describe a highlight or most memorable moment related to your Legacy Project.

  • The community observes Memorial Day each year in the veterans' section of Greencastle's Forest Hill Cemetery. Plans are underway to reestablish a tradition that spanned from 1870 until well into the 20th century of the Civil War Monument being the centerpiece of Memorial Day observance services. The intent is to have 2017 observance serve as the start date for this reinitiated observance.

How/where are you preserving information and artifacts related to yoru Legacy Project?

  • The Heritage Preservation Society of Putnam County, the Putnam County Museum and the Putnam County Public Library will all house elements of the commemorative information from this project.

Total number of volunteers who participated.

  • The total number would be hard to determine given the number involved over the 5 plus years, but core supporters numbered approximately 25.

Legacy Project Committee

  • Phillip J. Gick
  • Bonnie Yahraus
  • Larry Tippin
  • Margaret Kenton
  • Mike Murphy
  • Ken Eitel
  • Lynda Dunbar
  • Pat Hoopengarner
  • Paul Champion
  • Mary Hirt
  • Jinsie Bingham
  • Cammie Goldman
  • Melissa Gough
  • Becky Harris
  • Jenni Artis
  • Ken Heeke
  • Anne Phipps
  • Lynn Sullivan

Project Details

  • Organization: Heritage Preservation Society of Putnam County
  • County: Putnam
  • Contact: Phillip Gick, 765-848-1111, phillipgick@hotmail.com
  • Type: Non-profit
  • Project Number: IBC-HC-69

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