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The Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA) has announced the recipients of its annual Indiana Archaeology and Indiana Historic Preservation awards, which recognize outstanding efforts in each field.
The awards will be presented by DHPA director Beth McCord and the rest of the division’s staff at local award ceremonies this fall.

The recipients include professional consultants Jerry Sweeten, James Heimlich, and Ryan Duddleson; Turner Chapel AME Church in Fort Wayne; and the city of Huntington. 
Jerry Sweeten, James Heimlich, and Ryan Duddleson will receive the Indiana Archaeology Award for their diligently conducted research and coordinated efforts to archaeologically document certain dams across the state. Documentation of the dams has led to interesting finds regarding the engineering and architectural history of Hoosier dam building.

The Turner Chapel AME Church congregation will receive the Indiana Historic Preservation Award for choosing to place the historic church on the National Register of Historic Places (NHRP), sharing its rich heritage. The congregation purchased the 1927 brick and limestone Gothic Revival church from a United Brethren congregation. In 1969, the congregation chose to protest the lack of integration in Fort Wayne’s public school district by hosting a Freedom School. Many families enrolled their children in this school, withdrawing from the public school system, and within a week district officials agreed to additional integration measures.

The city of Huntington will also receive the Indiana Historic Preservation Award for its outstanding grant-assisted rehabilitation project to repair the stone water race in Memorial Park, which is listed on the NHRP. The community applied for a $60,000 grant from the DHPA’s Historic Preservation Fund matching grant program. Constructed by the Works Progress Administration in 1937, this stonework channel averages 8 to 12 feet wide, 3 to 5 feet deep, and is nearly 500 feet long. Repair work included cleaning debris and silt from the channel, building curbs to support undermined walls, reconstructing collapsed sections of walls and floor using both new and salvaged stones, and repointing deteriorated mortar joints. The project was originally estimated at $350,000 but the final cost was $565,000. The award recognizes Huntington’s significant financial commitment to this historic resource, its outstanding grant administration, and the excellent workmanship of its masonry contractor.

As the State Historic Preservation Office, the DHPA oversees the federally funded Historic Preservation Fund grant program, the federal Reinvestment Historic Tax Credit program, and the state’s Historic Homeowner Tax Credit program. The DHPA also functions as Indiana’s central repository for historic structures and archaeological site records.

To view more DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.

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The Indigenous People Of Tribes Gathering took place at the Washington County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10 & 11. Members of tribes throughout the region honored their heritage with ceremonial dances, authentic clothing, food and offerings of Native American items.

Native American dances were conducted throughout the day. The meaning and purpose of each dance was announced prior to its beginning.  Drum beats from the People's Medicine Drum, manned by several individuals, provided the rhythm for the dances.

One of the most humorous dances was the "Candy Dance" for children. The master of ceremonies explained that children were told that if they could pick up the candy during this dance, then they should have no problem picking up their rooms.

Three teepees were on display on the grounds.

Plenty of foods were offered, including a variety of buffalo entrees, fry bread and street corn.

There were numerous vendors present who offered traditional Native American items featuring silver and turquoise jewelry, beads, animal fur, hand-loomed rugs, feathers and much more.

One gentleman explained that after completing a sales transaction, it is customary for both parties to shake hands and exclaim, "Good trade." This acknowledges a mutually beneficial transaction in which no person was forced to buy or sale anything.

The group has hosted gatherings throughout southern Indiana and Kentucky this summer.

The People's Medicine Drum provided the rhythm for all ceremonial dances.

Dancers displayed their ceremonial garb.

All tribe members in attendance were invited to join the dances.

The dance leaders kept activities flowing throughout the day.

Mounted animals and pelts drew lots of guests to this vendor.

Pelts and animal skins included everything from bear to alligators, and a variety of large and small animals.

Vendors provided plenty of authentic items.

 

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By Sgt. Carey Huls, Public Information Officer, Indiana State Police Sellersburg District

Washington County – A Cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) led to the arrest of a Salem, Indiana man for possession of child pornography.  

Detectives with the Indiana State Police - Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force in Sellersburg began an investigation in November 2023 after receiving a cyber tip report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The cyber tip report indicated that a specific account was possibly used to transmit child pornography images or video files.  

Investigators requested a search warrant based on information gathered during the investigation. As a result, on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, members of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant at a Pilgrim Way address in Salem, Indiana.

As a result of the investigation and search, Troopers arrested 52-year-old Jim Dean Cozart for four counts of Possession of Child Pornography.  Each count is a level 4 Felony. Troopers arrested Cozart following the investigation and transported him to the Washington County Jail without incident.   

The Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is a multiagency task force that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children, and the Indiana State Police oversees the task force.

The Indiana ICAC Task Force encourages Hoosiers to report online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement-type crimes against children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The NCMEC website can be accessed through the ICAC Task Force website. To report a crime with your child as a victim involving the Internet or other electronic means, please contact your local Indiana law enforcement agency.

ICAC Taskforce website: https://www.in.gov/isp/icactf/