The Jackson County History Center has been awarded a $5,000 Operating Support Grant from Indiana Humanities with funds from the American Rescue Plan.

The grant provides funding relief to humanities organizations adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The history center at 105 N. Sugar St., Brownstown, is one of 59 organizations across the state to receive operating support funds. More than $800,000 in funding, which was administered by Indiana Humanities via Operating Support and Programming/Capacity Building grants, was provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Margo Brewer, a volunteer with the Jackson County History Center, said the $5,000 grant will go toward utility bills and insurance.

Last year, Indiana Humanities provided more than $500,000 in similar grants to humanities organizations as part of CARES Act funding.

“Humanities organizations are part of the critical infrastructure of this country and are providing essential services and programs to support communities recovering from the pandemic,” said Keira Amstutz, president and chief executive officer of Indiana Humanities. “We are grateful to the U.S. Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities for recognizing and providing this much-needed support, which will help essential community anchors and institutions strengthen their operations and enhance their programming.”

Brewer said the history center also received a Heritage Support Grant from the Indiana Historical Society to repair and refurbish the ticket booth from the Stardust Theatre, which is located behind the livery barn on the center’s campus. That’s valued at $3,741.40.

Heritage Support Grants are provided by the Indiana Historical Society and made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc.