On April 11, 2022, the Ben Franklin III canal boat was removed from the Whitewater Canal in Metamora, causing major concern for community members who feared the Metamora icon would never return.

Beyond a new canal boat, several other repairs need to be done to save and preserve the entirety of the site, including the aqueduct located in Metamora, which is at risk of being destroyed anytime there is flooding. Indiana State Museums and Historic Sites are responsible for maintaining the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site, a 14-mile section of the canal beginning at the Laurel Feeder Dam.

Although a budget was presented by the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites to the State for funding, funding was not earmarked to preserve the site.

In light of the news, community members from all over the county and beyond are urging Gov. Holcomb to reconsider the budget decision with a letter sharing the importance of the site accompanied by community signatures. 

As a result, the community members who are spearheading the initiative are asking all community members to sign the petition to save a crucial piece of Franklin County's history.  Last year after the removal of the canal boat, the president and CEO of the ISMHS shared the communities’ sentiments regarding the site.

“The long-term goal is to continue the legacy of the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site and preserve the canal's historical value for future generations. Since the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site was created in 1946, it has periodically required a major capital investment every generation or so.”

The ISMHS recognize the need for action to save the site and have been working diligently to gain funding in the State's budget. For several years, the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites have thoroughly reviewed what needs to be done to restore and maintain the historic stretch of the Whitewater Canal. The Whitewater Canal Historic Site had an engineering study last year to determine the required amount to forestall future issues. The estimated cost is roughly $14.4 million for repairs at the site.

After ISMHS presented this information for inclusion into the governor's budget, it was concluded that more studies are needed to determine the cost and benefit to the historic site. $500,000 was included in the governor's budget for further studies to be done.

Money allocated in the State's budget would assist in preserving the following:

•The Duck Creek Aqueduct - A National Historic Landmark and the only historic covered Aqueduct of its kind still in existence, needs repairs and reinforcements to help prevent damage in case of severe flooding on Duck Creek.

•Lock 24 – Located by the horse barn -  This lock is essential to keeping water in the canal, and it is also the place where a boat would be drydocked. Due to the pressure from the surrounding earth, the canal wall must be removed, reinforced and reconstructed. In addition, the lock doors are inoperable and need to be replaced.

•Lock 25 – located by the mill –  The lock needs wall repairs, stone masonry work and repairs to the stone steps, wood steps, and guardrails. 

•Ben Franklin III - The canal boat has offered rides on the canal since 1946 until the last few years when the boat fell in disrepair and was ultimately removed.

The letter asking for the reconsideration of allocating money to the site begins with: 

“As elected officials, representatives of economic development and tourism boards, leaders of broad-based community organizations and citizens of Southeastern Indiana, we request that you provide the funding necessary to preserve and maintain the Whitewater Canal State historic site...”

To read the letter in its entirety or to sign the petition, visit the following locations: Hav-A-Bite, Granny’s Cookie Jar, Third Place, Whitewater Publications.