As part of the "PreservINg Main Street" Pilot program. Indiana Humanities awarded a $10,000 grant to Main Street Brookville for a project with historical significance - a "Walk through Brookville History."

After the grant was awarded, a Brookville Humanities Grant Team was established and made the decision to create the "Walk through Brookville History" along Brookville's Main Street corridor. 

Brookville's Main Street is divided into two distinct areas within a nine-block walkable area. The 3rd to 8th Street business district is home to historical buildings containing small businesses, governmental offices and housing. The 9th to 12th Street district is residential. Nearly all of the buildings in these districts have historical significance that tells a story.

"The goal with the 'Walk Through Brookville History' is to share some of these stories," said FCCF Executive Director Shelly Lunsford. "The Humanities Grant team selected 12 sites to be included in the walk. These initial sites are all along the Main Street corridor, adding to the "walkability" of the town. Seven of the sites are in the Brookville Main Street business district, and five of the sites are residences on Main Street."

Sites include:

Fries House, 273 Main Street 

Hilltop Restaurant, 300 Main Street 

Franklin County Jail, 371 Main Street 

Valley House Hotel, 450 Main Street 

Franklin County Courthouse, 459 Main Street 

National Brookville Bank, 500 Main Street 

Popper’s Building, 515 Main Street 

Tyner House, 900 Main Street 

Hubbard-Seal House, 901 Main Street 

Butler House, 911 Main Street 

The Judiciary, 912 Main Street 

Matson House, 932 Main Street 

The stops can be identified by the signs that were created for each location by utilizing Indiana Humanities Grant funding. Each sign is placed to be viewed from the sidewalk, either in the ground, on a railing, or inside a window. The signs include the name of the program, the name of the site, a short description containing the site's historical significance, and a QR code. A video about the site will begin when the QR code is scanned. Each video is approximately one and one-half minutes long and comprises historical photos of the site and video footage.A brochure, done originally by Franklin County Tourism, was updated to include a notation beside each of the sites on the walk. Brochure holders have been placed around town for distribution. A kick-off for the walk is planned for Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. Participants will meet at Hilltop Restaurant, 300 Main Street. 

“The vision of the team is to reach not only individuals within the Southeast Indiana region but to entice the many visitors to our area to stop and enjoy the walk," Lunsford said. "To add to the unique experience, more sites will be included along the Main Street corridor, as well as in other areas of Brookville over time.”

Lunsford said the foundation would like to expand the walk when additional funding is found through grants or contributions.