The Bartholomew County Public Library has received an $11,000 grant digitize historic materials related to the Irwin-Sweeney-Miller family and 301 Washington Street, the former site of Irwin’s Bank and of Irwin Management Company. The project, titled “301 Washington Street: Cornerstone of Columbus, Indiana,” is a partnership between Bartholomew County Public Library, Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives and Bartholomew County Historical Society.

Jason Hatton, director of the Bartholomew County Public Library, considers this project an important first step in making the County’s history available online. “Receiving this grant is an opportunity to bring together materials held by three different cultural institutions: the Library, Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives, and Bartholomew County Historical Society. Bartholomew County has such a rich history, and this digitization project will bring a small but significant collection of materials spanning a century to the public’s eye.” According to Tricia Gilson, CIAA archivist and curator, 301 Washington Street collection is of interest to researchers locally, nationally, and internationally. “Noted architect Alexander Girard designed the interiors at 301 Washington Street for J. Irwin Miller in 1962 and 1972. With the opening of the Miller House and the current exhibition devoted to Girard and organized by the Vitra Design Museum, CIAA’s 301 collection is the most frequently requested collection,” says Gilson.

When the project is completed, officials say that approximately 500 documents, 120 photographs and slides, 36 architectural drawings, and 70 material sample boards will be available on CIAA’s website, the Indiana State Library’s Indiana Memory portal, and the Digital Public Library of America. The project is slated to be finished by May 2018.

This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Indiana State Library.