November 10, 2015, MADISON, IN – Historic Madison, Inc. announces a significant milestone in its $2.5 million Capital Campaign to restore the Shrewsbury-Windle House National Historic Landmark and rehabilitate the historic Hyatt House for its offices. Generous donors have pledged the $750,000 needed to receive a $375,000 challenge grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation of Janesville, WI.
Tom Jeffris, President of the Jeffris Family Foundation stated “I’m thrilled with how quickly Historic Madison, Inc. has raised the matching funds.” Jeffris continued “I am pleased the Foundation is able to assist in so worthy an undertaking as the restoration of the Shrewsbury-Windle House, one of the nation’s most important historic homes.” The Foundation offered the challenge grant award in June 2014. The grant is the single largest private grant ever received by HMI.
Margaret Seifert-Russell, Campaign Co-Chair stated “This is an incredible milestone for HMI and the community. Our plan to renovate and make the Shrewsbury-Windle House available for a wide variety of events and to move our offices near this signature property is resonating with our donors.” Andrew Forrester, Co-Chair added “It is amazing we have reached this goal so soon considering this is HMI’s first capital campaign in our 55 year history. To date, all contributions are from private individuals, foundations and businesses,” he continued.
Interior repairs at the Shrewsbury-Windle House will begin in 2016 to coincide with the Indiana Bicentennial. Work includes replacing all existing antiquated electrical, plumbing, and heating systems. Air conditioning will be installed for the first time in the home’s 166 year history. Restoration and conservation of nationally significant historic paint finishes, installation of new floor coverings and other decorative details will follow. A new catering kitchen and handicapped accessible restrooms for use during events will also be installed. The home will be retrofitted with an efficiency apartment for use by visiting scholars, artists-in-residence and interns.
To date, nearly $1,800,000 has been donated or pledged to the campaign, including the Jeffris grant. In 2014 HMI invested over $550,000 of its own funds in the Shrewsbury- Windle House for emergency exterior repairs and museum quality restoration work.
Historic Madison, Inc. is an award winning, member-supported, not-for-profit historic preservation corporation founded in 1960. The organization owns, operates and maintains fifteen significant properties in Madison’s National Historic Landmark district, including three house museums, the Shrewsbury-Windle House, the Schroeder Saddletree Factory museum, and a pioneer garden. For additional information, contact HMI at 500 West Street, Madison, IN 47250 or call (812) 265-2967, visit historicmadisoninc.com, or like them on Facebook.
Shrewsbury-Windle House
