Grant Submission Complete
We are thrilled to announce that we’ve officially submitted our application for The Glenn Scott Harley-Davidson Building Restoration & Moto Community Project in the 212° Grant Cycle at the Community Foundation of Grant County! We won’t know if we’ll receive the grant until mid-October, so until then, our fundraising efforts continue as if the grant does not exist. Our goal is to raise $150,000, and while we’re getting closer, we still need your help.
Here’s a snapshot of where we stand financially:
- We have a verbal commitment from Indiana Landmarks for a $75K low-interest loan, which will need to be paid back within 3 years.
- Currently, we have $12,206.27 deposited in our building campaign fund and an additional $12K in pledges.
- If awarded the grant, we’ll notify Indiana Landmarks and our pledged donors that we are ready to move forward with the purchase and finalize the contributions. The remaining amount needed will come from the Indiana Motorcycle Preservation Society.
As we continue the grant process and as the project evolves, we’re discovering new needs, questions, partnerships, and ideas. With this post, we want to share some of this with you.
Why This Building?
The historic Glenn Scott Harley-Davidson building at 307 E 3rd St. in downtown Marion, Indiana, is deeply rooted in our local and national motorcycle culture. Glenn A. Scott, a prominent figure in Indiana’s motorcycle history, became a Grant County Harley-Davidson dealer in 1911. By 1919, Scott’s shop was one of the largest exclusive motorcycle stores in the state. This very shop also served as a meeting space for the Marion Motorcycle Club and was a central part of Marion’s unique claim to fame as the “Home of the Hog.”
Securing and restoring this building is about more than just preserving a landmark; it’s about creating a space that will house a museum, restoration shop, living space, rental space, and moto community gathering areas. The project will honor Indiana’s motorcycling pioneers, boost Marion’s local economy, and serve as a cultural hub for both residents and motorcycle enthusiasts.
What Happens If We Don’t Get the Grant?
It’s a question no one wants to ask, but our board is facing it head-on. If we don’t receive the grant or raise enough funds before the seller moves on to another buyer, we will have two options:
- Continue to fundraise and seek other opportunities.
- Acknowledge that now may not be the time for us to buy this building. In this case, we hope that a good buyer takes our place, and we’ll focus on fulfilling our mission in other ways. For example, we are already collaborating with The History Center at the Marion Public Library on the Cornfield Classic and Motorcycle Exhibit, which will begin construction in January 2025. This exhibit will allow us to gather data on community interest and engagement, helping us create new ways to share Indiana’s rich motorcycling history.
How Else Can We Accomplish Our Goals?
Even if the building acquisition doesn’t happen now, there are many ways we can help reconnect the community with its motorcycle heritage. We’ll continue planning events like the Cornfield Classic annually, and we will add hands-on learning activities in partnership with local libraries and motorcycle shops. These initiatives will provide valuable opportunities for students and young adults to gain mechanical skills and learn about the motorcycling industry.
What is IMPS?
The Indiana Motorcycle Preservation Society (IMPS) is committed to inspiring future generations of motorcyclists by fostering a deeper understanding of motorcycle mechanics, history, and culture. Through educational exhibits, restoration projects, and community events, IMPS aims to create spaces where motorcyclists can share their stories, connect with others, and celebrate the heritage of motorcycling. We are preserving the past while building a launchpad for the future of motorcycle culture.
Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, we are grateful for your support in making this vision a reality!
How You Can Help!
As a historical society, we also focus on research. Do you have a story to share about motorcycling or motorcycle racing in Indiana? We are collecting motorcycle photos, memorabilia, and stories throughout the state of Indiana to share on our website, social media, and annual event. Email info@indianamps.org, or call (765) 268-0535.
If you’re able to contribute to our building fund, every dollar counts toward our $150K goal. Visit our building campaign page, and join us in preserving Indiana’s motorcycling heritage.
Donations can also be made directly to the organization online through PayPal or to our endowment through the Community Foundation of Grant County.
You can even mail us a check to P.O. Box 282, Gas City, IN 46933.