The Indiana Historical Society has ended its sponsorship for a popular student history contest, citing organizational restructuring. The decision affects the National History Day program, which has been sponsored by the Historical Society for nearly 50 years.

Background

The National History Day program allows students in grades 4-12 to research and present historical topics. This year, an estimated 5,000 Hoosier students participated in regional or statewide contests, with the Historical Society covering costs of around $125,000.

The program’s executive director, Cathy Gorn, expressed disappointment at the loss of sponsorship, stating that it would be a great loss for teachers and students in the state. The organization is currently seeking a new sponsor to keep the program running.

Impact

The termination of the sponsorship comes after the Historical Society laid off 11 workers from departments overseeing exhibits, education, and library services. The organization has stated that the layoffs and contract termination are part of a broader effort to position the Historical Society for long-term stability and success.

The Indiana Historical Society had previously received significant funding from the state, including a $1 million annual maintenance and operational costs subsidy. However, the state terminated its lease with the Historical Society last year, transferring ownership of the land to the organization in exchange for striking its maintenance obligations.

Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.