Whitewater Canal State Historic Site secures matching grant for repairs

METAMORA, Ind. (WISH) — The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites has secured a matching grant from the state government to help restore the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site in Metamora, said a news release issued Friday.

As News 8 reported in June, the historic site was facing funding woes.

The Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative grant, administered by the Indiana Economic Development Corp., is intended to match an additional $7 million in state funds allocated in 2023, following a request from the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites for a total of $14.4 million for the Whitewater Canal preservation project.

The cost estimate for the restoration project has increased to $17.5 million due to inflation and further deterioration found during site evaluations. The state government required the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites to adjust the project’s scope to align with available funding.

The project will focus on critical rehabilitations of signific...