10 Nov Fund Focus: Converse Historical Society Endowment Fund
The Converse Historical Society is turning the page – quite literally – on a new chapter of local preservation. Founded in 2015, the Society’s mission to celebrate and safeguard the stories of Converse is gaining momentum thanks to a new home, new exhibits, and a new endowment to secure its future.
A Church Becomes a Museum
In October 2023, the Converse United Methodist Church generously donated its historic building to the Society. The transformation from house of worship to house of history is well underway. The old church office will soon serve as a reference room filled with bound newspapers dating back to the 1920s and 1930s, time capsules of small-town life.
Inside, 96 feet of display space now holds the promise of an art gallery, historical exhibits, and community gatherings. One section celebrates the history of Oak Hill schools and another honors the area’s veterans, a fitting tribute as the Society prepares its Veterans Day display and presentation.
Preserving, Displaying, and Celebrating Local Legacy
The Converse Historical Society has been steadily enhancing its exhibits with help from the community and partners like the Miami County Community Foundation. A 2024 grant awarded by the Foundation funded new reusable exhibition and historical display fixtures – equipment that board president Steve Reiff calls “a godsend.” He explains, “It’s anchored and won’t come down. It’ll hold 120–150 pounds of frames. It’s really a godsend for what we want to do because so much is one-dimensional—maps, charts, and so on.”
Volunteers like board member Crystie Kirby are hard at work cataloging the growing collection, ensuring that each artifact finds its place in history. Among the treasures on display are paintings by artist Thadeus “Thad” Jay Miller and a developing exhibit honoring Converse native Monte Towe, a basketball standout who played for North Carolina State University and the Denver Nuggets.
Protecting a Piece of Converse Forever
The Society is also taking steps to preserve its new home for generations to come. With guidance from Indiana Landmarks and financial support from a recent grant, the organization is pursuing a National Register of Historic Places designation for an entire district in Converse, starting with the church property itself. Architectural historian Rose Wernicke is leading the research and documentation to ensure this structure earns its rightful place in the national record.
Ensuring a Lasting Legacy
To secure the organization’s long-term sustainability, the Converse Historical Society Endowment Fund was established this year as an agency fund with the Miami County Community Foundation. The endowment provides a permanent source of support, ensuring that the Society’s work of preserving, teaching, and celebrating Converse history can continue to grow for decades to come.
Visitors are encouraged to stop in, explore the exhibits, and experience the remarkable stories that shaped their community. And for those who wish to play a part in preserving those stories, contributions to the Converse Historical Society Endowment Fund are deeply appreciated.