Terre Haute Secures Grant for Cemetery Restorations
The city will use $75,000 in state funding to restore three historic buildings at Highland Lawn Cemetery.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Landscaping
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The Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology has awarded a $75,000 grant to the city of Terre Haute. These funds are designated for essential masonry repairs at three historic structures located in Highland Lawn Cemetery.
Why it matters
The grant serves to preserve local historical and cultural heritage by protecting aging structures. Supporting these repairs ensures that the Romanesque Revival-style buildings remain intact for the community.
The grant provides $75,000 for work on three distinct buildings at Highland Lawn Cemetery. These structures were originally constructed in the 1890s using rusticated limestone blocks in the Romanesque Revival style.
The players
Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology
This state agency oversees programs dedicated to the identification, protection, and preservation of Indiana's historic and archaeological resources.
Highland Lawn Cemetery
Located in Terre Haute, this cemetery serves as a significant site for local history and features historic buildings dating back to the 1890s.
The details
The restoration project focuses on stabilizing the 1890s buildings through stone resetting and repairs to damaged masonry. Crews will also address biological staining on the stone surfaces and perform mortar repointing to ensure the structural integrity of the sites.
Timeline
The buildings receiving repairs were originally constructed in the 1890s.
Culture Shift
This project mirrors a national movement toward the adaptive reuse and careful maintenance of 19th-century architecture in civic spaces. It marks a departure from modern-only infrastructure focus by prioritizing the preservation of historic stonework as a tangible link to local heritage.
Residents visiting Highland Lawn Cemetery may notice restoration activities, such as scaffolding or specialized crews working on the historic buildings. These improvements will eventually secure the long-term safety and aesthetic condition of the site for public access.
The takeaway
Historic preservation grants are vital for maintaining the structural safety of aging municipal landmarks. Residents can help by respecting marked-off areas during active restoration projects to allow workers to safely preserve these limestone buildings.
Further reading
Learn more about local site upkeep and preservation efforts on our Landscaping page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Terre Haute Tribune-Star.
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