Speakman House Awarded Historic Renovation Grant

The Greek Revival home was built in 1846.

Speakman House. File photo.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Grant money has been awarded to preserve a historic building in Aurora.

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch along with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced Friday that the Speakman House is among two properties statewide to be awarded funding through the Historic Renovation Grant Program.

A $100,000 grant was awarded to Mark Banschbach to preserve the Greek Revival home that was built in 1846 on the banks of Laughery Creek.

The residence has 17 rooms stretching across 7,000-square-feet, and is planned to be a social gathering place to host tours, special events and possibly a bed and breakfast.

“We have 200 years of history to celebrate, and these grants will help revitalize historic properties in our state,” Crouch said. “We want people to come out and explore their downtown spaces and having a piece of Hoosier history to visit can help spur that movement.”

Eligible properties for this grant program must be at least 50 years old and either listed on the register r of Indiana historic sites/structures, be listed or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or be listed as a contributing resource in a National Register District.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and can be submitted at www.in.gov/ocra/hrgp.