Banking on Rush County’s historical architecture and the budding growth of heritage tourism, the Rush County ECDC, in conjunction with Ball State University, Rush County Heritage, Inc. and the Heart of Rushville are putting history on a series of maps.

Ball State University will begin the process of laying out three separate maps for the project.

One will focus on Rushville’s historic downtown commercial district.

The second will focus on the residential architecture in various city neighborhoods and the third will lay out historic structures of interest in the county.

The cost for the project is approximately $10,593, which does not include printing.

The Center for Historic Preservation at Ball State University will undertake the writing, historical research and graphics for the brochures.

Each Rushville and Rush County brochure will provide summaries of the history and architecture of 20 buildings and notable historic features; a map locating the buildings described and furnishing a tour route; line drawings of the styles of architecture found in the area covered by the brochure, with explanations of each style; a glossary of architectural terms related to the buildings; and a front panel with a graphic design showcasing some distinctive building or buildings in the town.

“Such a brochure, attractively presented in two colors and on high quality paper, can be an effective tool for heritage tourism in Rushville and Rush County,” James Glass, director of the BSU Center for Historic Preservation, said. “Many travelers today are drawn to small, historic towns with interesting architecture, and a well-illustrated, authoritative brochure can help the city and county compete with other communities in the region attracting such visitors. In addition, walking tour brochures can serve as an educational resource for school children and adults in the communities and enhance feelings of community pride and identity.”

Greg Griffin, director of the ECDC, was happy with the decision.

“I was pleased that the groups that were consulted have voted to move forward on all three brochures,” he said. “We will be applying for a grant from the Historical Preservation Education Grant as well as a grant from the Rush County Community Foundation to head off the costs of this project. We’ll also be taking donations from local organizations and businesses, as well as community members interested in helping to get this project going.”

The project is set to begin in the spring of 2007, and will be completed in the summer of 2007.

“I think these brochures will be important to Rush County, because heritage tourism is very popular,” Griffin said. “This has the potential to bring a lot of people to Rush County to frequent our merchants and restaurants, spend money in Rush County, and experience all of the history our community has to offer in the process. It will make our town a more popular destination from a heritage tourism standpoint.”

Rushville Republican staff writer Elizabeth Gist can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 or via e-mail at elizabeth.gist@cnhimedia.com. To add a comment visit our Website at www.rushvillerepublican.com.