Mark Sean Orr, freelancer, for The Courier-Times
METAMORA — A cornerstone of Indiana’s early industrial heritage is facing an uncertain future.
The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites (ISMHS) has announced it will cease management of the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site in Metamora this fall, citing both financial and environmental challenges.
The ISMHS states the site is no longer “economically or environmentally feasible” to maintain. Although $7 million in state matching funds for restoration has been earmarked in Indiana’s FY23/24 budget, no group has yet secured the matching contribution needed to trigger those repairs.
A Town in Shock
The news stunned residents and visitors alike. Tucked into the scenic hills of Franklin County along U.S. Route 52, Metamora has long been a beloved heritage tourism destination. Its preserved 19th-century architecture, working grist mill, artisan shops, and specialty stores create an immersive historical experience.
Visitors have traditionally flocked to attractions like the horse-drawn canal boat "Ben Franklin III" (decommissioned in 2021 and not yet replaced), the water-powered grist mill, and the themed train excursions offered by the Whitewater Valley Railroad. These experiences provided a rare chance to step back into Indiana’s canal-era past.
Metamora Grist Mill, photo by Mark Sean Orr
But as of October, ISMHS will no longer maintain or operate any canal-related features, including the boat rides. The long-term fate of the mill and associated exhibits also remains unclear.
“Some merchants don’t seem to be giving up,” said State Representative Lindsay Patterson (District 55). “But unfortunately, everything is still very much up in the air.”
What Will Remain
While the state-run historic site is closing, the town itself is not. Many of Metamora’s businesses — including its inns, bed-and-breakfasts, shops, and eateries — are privately owned and remain open, particularly during the busy summer and fall seasons.
Several annual events are also still on the calendar:
- Strawberry Festival – Held in June
- Canal Days – First weekend of October
- The Christmas Walk – Begins Thanksgiving weekend and runs for four weekends
Organizers and merchants remain hopeful that these traditions will help sustain the town's identity, even if the canal boat and mill go quiet.
A Historic Legacy at Risk
Constructed in the 1830s, the Whitewater Canal revolutionized Indiana’s economy by linking small towns to larger markets. Metamora’s stretch of the canal features the nation’s only surviving wooden aqueduct — the Duck Creek Aqueduct — as well as Indiana’s oldest operating mill of its kind.
Although floods ended commercial boat traffic by the 1860s, the canal corridor retained its importance, with the towpath later repurposed for rail and, eventually, tourism. The town evolved into a living museum of sorts, capturing a bygone era for generations of visitors.
Searching for a Path Forward
In the wake of the announcement, community leaders, preservationists, and state officials are now exploring possible paths forward. According to Rep. Lindsay Patterson (R-Brookville), several community members are looking for alternative groups or individuals to take over operations, but no decisions have been made. A key hurdle remains the funding: the $7 million from the state cannot be used unless it is matched — something advocates are hoping might come through an arts and culture grant from the Lilly Endowment or other partners.
“There have been several meetings to discuss who or what will take over,” Patterson added. “But that’s not a decision any one person can make — especially without knowing the state’s plans for the property.”
Beverly Spurlin, Executive Director of Experience Franklin County Indiana, Inc. — the destination management organization for the area — emphasized her group's ongoing commitment to the town.
“We remain committed to marketing and promoting the businesses and events that have helped define Metamora and its unique appeal," Spurlin said. "We also remain hopeful that a solution can be found to maintain this important piece of Indiana history.”
What Locals Say
Many locals have voiced concern about the loss of what they see as the heart of the community. While some business owners remain cautiously optimistic, others fear that without the canal boat and mill, the town’s unique appeal may diminish.
Representative Patterson summed it up: “The canal is an irreplaceable piece of history. Abandoning it would have lasting consequences — impacting tourism, small businesses, and communities both locally and across the state.”
A public meeting was held on June 30 at Third Place in Metamora, where a representative from the Indiana State Museum attended and discussed the closure in more detail.
According to Patterson, “There is a letter of intent for the Lilly Foundation to match the $7 million from Fiscal Year 23/24. That is not set in stone, however. If that all goes through, there is a possibility that the state will continue their obligations.”
Rep. Patterson said the meeting was well attended and emphasized that Metamora is not closing.
“Shops, food, festivals, etc., are still open and will be,” she said.
Metamora Shops, photo by Mark Sean Orr
Holding on to History
With a population of under 1,000, Metamora may be small, but it has long punched above its weight as a cultural and historical destination.
Even as the future remains uncertain, Metamora’s past continues to bind its community together through memories, traditions, and a shared desire to preserve what makes the town special.
Whether through private partnerships, grassroots fundraising, or renewed state support, many in Metamora are determined not to let this historic place fade quietly into memory.
Preservation Efforts Gain Momentum
A new avenue for preserving the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site may be emerging. According to a June 25 report by The 765, the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites (ISMHS), in partnership with the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC), has received a pre-commitment notice from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) for a potential $7 million grant.
If awarded, the funding could be combined with the $7 million already allocated in the 2023 state budget, bringing the total potential investment to $14.4 million. The original state funds required a matching commitment to be released — a hurdle that, until now, had stalled restoration efforts.
The proposed scope of the project includes restoration of the historic feeder dam, rehabilitation of Locks 24 and 25, repairs to the Duck Creek Aqueduct, dredging of the canal, and construction of a new canal boat with a dry dock system.
“This is an encouraging new development,” ISMHS President and CEO Cathy Ferree said, as quoted by The 765. “We will take this into consideration as we work to determine the next steps for the future of Whitewater Canal State Historic Site.”
The report noted that the proposal is the result of months of collaboration between ISMHS, SEIRPC, Senator Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg), Representative Lindsay Patterson (R-Brookville), Representative David Abbott (R-Rome City), local leaders in Franklin County and the broader Metamora community.
Before any funds can be finalized, additional steps will include a full environmental review coordinated through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, as well as an updated financial feasibility assessment based on current economic conditions.
While the site’s closure was once considered inevitable, this development has sparked cautious optimism among stakeholders who have long advocated for Metamora’s preservation.