We believe that economic development is more than tax incentives and construction projects. Quality of life of its citizens and image of the community are important. The long-term prosperity of communities can be tied to the available opportunities to recreate and enjoy natural surroundings. Wabash is a community that is blessed by the beauty of its natural surroundings. Charley Creek Foundation will work to hold, preserve, and improve upon the natural beauty of the area while providing recreational activities for families who work and live there.

The people of Wabash and its surrounding communities share a rich heritage that Charley Creek Foundation seeks to preserve. Accordingly, Charley Creek Foundation will hold, operate and maintain historic properties in Wabash for the benefit of the public.

Wabash, with the Honeywell Center and nearby Manchester College, is a community with extraordinary opportunities for enjoying and participating in arts and cultural activities. We believe that the arts and cultural venues are important to attracting and retaining creative people. Charley Creek Foundation will continue to help Wabash enjoy these assets by sponsoring various cultural opportunities to benefit the public, including instrumental recitals, music and arts festivals, and other events that improve the quality of and access to the arts in Wabash. Charley Creek Foundation will be proactive in its support of the arts in Wabash, bringing talent, ideas and inspiration to Wabash through its sponsorship of visiting artists, workshops and events.

This building located at 177 West Hill is currently being renovated into a turn of the century Doctor’s office and home. After the restoration, the building will be open to the public as a house museum depicting life for a doctor and his family in 1865. Also planned are programs and lectures in the home and gardens relating to life and issues from the time that Dr. Ford lived and worked in Wabash, IN. A special exhibit room will house changing exhibits relating to special issues the museum staff chooses to highlight as well as traveling exhibits from other museums.

In collaboration with the Mayor of Wabash and the Parks Department the Charley Creek Foundation is developing green space south of downtown on the north bank of the Wabash River. The green space once developed will provide a beautiful landscape for of those driving to and from Wabash as they prepare to cross or finish crossing the Wabash River. Eventually this space will be available to be used for pubic gatherings, holiday displays, and possible dining facilities as well as for recreational activities.

The Charley Creek Foundation has obtained and is in the process of obtaining land on which to build a community public garden along Charley Creek. It is hoped that this public garden will be a gathering area for the public to enjoy educational opportunities such as horticultural tours, as well as opportunities for pure enjoyment situated within a natural amphitheater within the garden. This will not be an ordinary garden landscaped for the enhancement of a beautiful home, instead visitors will find a variety of outside spaces to delight the eye as well as study for insights on garden design. Visitors will find an English walled garden or the ecosystem of a prairie in midst of a residential neighborhood. But it will also be a frequent stop for busloads of schoolchildren who come to learn about gardening, ecology and conservation. Through the Gardens we will strive to become an innovative cultural and educational resource center, not only in our community but for northern Indiana.