When members of the Farmland Ladies Bridge Club announced a bold plan to save the historic Randolph County Courthouse from demolition several years ago they created a media sensation – and inspired legislation to protect all Indiana courthouses which was unanimously passed today by the Indiana Senate.

Senate Bill 176, authored by Sen. James Merritt Jr., (R-Indianapolis), would create a 3-member commission which would investigate the need for preservation, restoration and maintenance of historic courthouses as well as assist county officials with such projects. According to Crandall Spencer (right), the ladies’ fundraising project – a calendar in which they posed nude with strategically placed replicas of the courthouse – led him to author SB 176. * * *

“In recent years, we have seen an increase in interest to tear down courthouses across Indiana,” said Wayne Goodman (left), One of the Three Newly Appointed Commissioners “This will be a great service for local government.”

According to Bridget Flan (middle), the commission will ensure county officials are adequately prepared for renovation and preservation projects before final plans are developed and work begins. “Renovations to the Fayette County Courthouse in Connersville were underway when some long-forgotten murals were discovered. We have been working with local government to raise funds to preserve them. It would have been nice to know they were there before work began,” he said.

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.