Public Notice Regarding the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Section 106 Review of the Indiana Medical History Museum, Inc., Visual Collections Storage and Preventative Conservation Project
PUBLIC NOTICE
Regarding the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Section 106 Review of the Indiana Medical History Museum, Inc., Visual Collections Storage and Preventative Conservation Project
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has offered the Indiana Medical History Museum, Inc. (IMHM) in Indianapolis, Indiana, a Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections grant (PF-293458-23) to improve storage and environmental conditions for the Indiana Medical History Museum visual collections by adding insulation under the roof deck, installing blackout window shades, renovating water damaged walls and ceiling, and updating physical storage.
NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. This public notice is issued as part of NEH’s responsibilities under 36 C.F.R. Part 800, the regulations which implement Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, 54 U.S.C. 306108. NEH, a funding agency, is required by regulation to identify and assess the effects of any proposed actions on historic properties. If any proposed action will have an adverse effect on historic resources, NEH works with the appropriate parties to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects. Additionally, the Section 106 regulations require NEH to consider the views of the public on preservation issues when making final decisions that affect historic properties.
The proposed Section 106 undertaking will involve the insulation of attic roof deck and the repair of damaged plaster, and painting in the Old Pathology Building (the museum’s main building) and the Dead House Building. The buildings are located at 3000 W. Washington St. (Central State Hospital).
The Old Pathology Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 (NHRP # 72000011). The Old Pathology Building (the museum’s main building) was constructed in 1895-96 and is approximately 7772 square feet. The Dead House building was constructed about the same time, and is approximately 188 square feet.
On October 4, 2023, Beth K. McCord, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, indicated that their office “[did] not believe the characteristics that qualify the historic properties for inclusion in the National Register will be diminished as a result of this maintenance project. NEH concurs with the SHPO’s opinion and has determined that the proposed project will have No Adverse Effect upon historic properties.
As required by Section 106, NEH is providing the public with information about this project, as well as an opportunity to comment on any knowledge of, or concerns with, historic properties in the proposed project area, and issues relating to the project’s potential effects on historic properties. Comments may be submitted to the NEH by e-mail to FPO@neh.gov. The deadline for submitting comments is Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
