Cornerstone Society, Inc.
Established 1988
The Cornerstone Society was begun by a group of concerned citizens for the preservation of original structures, monuments and historical streetscapes of Madison, indiana. In 1988, Madison was besieged with plans for new construction of inferior and insensitive design and threatened with demolition of significant original structures. This caused great concern to many citizens who both loved and respected the historical heritage and unique qualities of this town. Although the Jefferson County Historical Society and Historic Madison, Inc. had been the primary organizations influencing Madison's historic future, it was deemed necessary to form a third organization primarily concerned with preservation.
The first meeting was called by these concerned citizens and their friends to formulate a strategy to not only preserve, but to educate and cultivate an appreciation of this vast historical treasure. We felt someone had to become caretakers for what our forefathers had passed on to us.
Committees were immediately formed to research, educate and promote our cause. The name, Cornerstone, was selected for our society at the third meeting. These first meetings were held in the basement of the First Christian Church which became our meeting area until December of 1989 when the church burned. Meetings after that date were held in private homes and later at the fellowship hall in St. Michael's church.
From the beginning, Cornerstone became not only a policy maker, but active and constructive doers. Projects like planting John Paul Park in the spring and decorating the River Front at Christmas became Cornerstone's projects.
Saving the Wilson building, 214 East Third Street, and the restorations of Rite-Aid, which is now Madison Mercantile, are monumental achievements accomplished in the formulating years of Cornerstone. A great deal has been accomplished over the past five years and hopefully there will be much more to be proud of in future endeavors.
Cornerstone Accomplishments
- Saved 8 of Madison's 19th century buildings from demolition through documentation, letter campaigns and negotiations
- Provided the prospective developer of the Rite-Aid property with viable alternatives to save the building from demolition and acted as consultant during renovating process
- Transferred to video and offered for sale the 1930's film preserved by the Harold Lohrig family, "Madison in the 30's". Now offered on DVD
- Provide current prospective owners of historical properties with Investment Tax Credit and rehabilitation information
- Created and sponsor a yearly Heritage Awareness Program for Jefferson County 4th grade students
- Cornerstone is an affiliate member of Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. An organization founded by Eli Lilly in 1960, dedicated to statewide historic preservation
- Assisted the Chamber of Commerce in making successful application to Indiana Main Street Program in 1989
- Organized and co-sponsored 1992 spring tour of Madison area homes and gardens
- Assisted King's Daughters' Hospital in designing day care center and West Street emergency room expansion
- Conducted regularly scheduled programs/membership meetings open to the public
- Applied for and received not-for-profit designation from IRS
- Spearhead the clean-up and planting for John Paul Park on a yearly basis
- Won award from Historic Landmarks of Indiana Preservation Grants Fund to obtain legal council to interpret Madison's Historic District Ordinance
- Researched the information necessary to aid in restoring Middleton Monument (on Courthouse lawn)
- Receives HLFI/PSI Foundation grant to create Madison Main Street brochure
- Advised and assisted the Catholic Communities Building Architect to encourage the preservation of Jefferson County's historic Catholic churches
- Recipient of a grant from Indiana Historic Bureau which helped fund the National Register marker placed at Jefferson Street and Vaughn Drive
- Encourage the preservation of the 1889 Hanover Astronomy Observatory
- Created the Main Street/Fountain Park garden in cooperation with local businesses, City of Madison and Indiana Department of Transportation
- Presently negotiating with Madison school board to reconsider vacating the First and Broadway Administration building
- Coordinating with Indiana Department of Transportation on a plan to landscape Jefferson Street median
- Negotiating with IKEC/GTE to develop plans to screen with plants and landscape on Highway 56 approach to Madison
- Landscaping of Vernon Street sub-station proposed by Cornerstone
- Developed a Riverfront Walking Tour featuring 44 of Madison's historic sites
