Scott County Heritage Center

The former Scott County Home, also known locally as the Poor Farm, Poor Asylum, County Home, and etc. served its initial purpose until 1973, when it was converted exclusively into an annex of county offices. The county used the building until 1996, then gave it to the Scott County Community Foundation soon after. Preservation Alliance, Inc. (PAI) accepted the building from the Community Foundation and began the process of converting the building into a county museum. PAI has a track record of successes including successful preservation efforts with the Heritage Station (the old Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis Railroad Train Depot, listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1990); the Austin Train Depot (the old Penn Central Train Depot); the Scott County Courthouse; and the former Scott County Home (listed in the National Register in 2001).

The Scott County Heritage Center and Museum opened in the former Scott County Home in April, 2003. The first floor and exterior rehabilitation were completed through a Community Focus Fund grant, which was obtained by the Scott County Commissioners. The project created a room for events, a display room, a gift shop, a kitchen, storage room, a director’s office (currently occupied by the Scott County Genealogical Society) and restrooms. A USDA Rural Development loan was secured in 2007 for the purpose of completing the interior rehabilitation and making improvements to the grounds and completed in 2009. The mortgage is due each March. Donations will be accepted for assistance in paying the mortgage for your Museum. We are NOT on the tax roll for Scott County. All monies are from fund raising, memberships and donations. Thank you to all for your assistance.