Dean, Jodi: Canal House Concept Paper.pdf

A concept paper to develop downtown Fort Wayne's Canal House into a thriving small museum and a connect between the FWMoA, Civic Center, and Headwaters Park to Promenade Park and the Landing.

1. CANAL HOUSE MUSEUM | Dean, Jodi 2025
Concept Paper: Fort Wayne Canal House Museum
By: Jodi Dean
History: According to Arch, Inc. (2025), the Canal House is a 22 x 50 structure that “stands
as one of the city’s earliest ties to canal-era commerce and community. The Wabash &
Erie Canal once flowed behind the house, and the structure was first used for trade and
warehousing, playing a key role in Fort Wayne’s early economy. Later, it became a home
for canal boatmen and their families, anchoring everyday life to the waterway that build the
city’s future.
Vision: The Fort Wayne Canal House Museum will be a museum that teaches visitors
about the importance of intersection of the Wabash & Erie Canal and founding of Fort
Wayne. The space will feature both permeant and temporary exhibits on transportation
and trade. Visitors will truly understand how Fort Wayne became a midwestern city, while
increasing the quality of life and the number of historical treasures.
Reasoning:
• Preserve History: The Canal House Museum is a landmark that is being currently used
as a temporary space for a building contract, yet its future is unknown. Due to
increasing Riverfront and Downtown development, the partial block is desirable for
future mixed used development. Although preserving the building, would allow Fort
Wayne to maintain its community identity.
• Area Beautification: While downtown Fort Wayne is increasingly walkable area still
needs beautification and placemaking to increase the sense of safety, especially for
those who travel on foot. To the north of the current Canal House is the Allen County
Jail, which will be demolished, when the new building is finished in 2027. To the south
of the Museum is the viaduct for the Norfolk Southern Railway, which is known to
attract homeless individuals who desire to keep out of the environmental elements.
Although the Jail will no longer be present, the increasingly homeless population lead
individuals to worry about traveling via foot from Headwaters Park, Fort Wayne Museum
of Art, Fort Wayne Civic Center, as well close by restaurants to Promenade Park, the
Landing, and nearby restaurants. A museum, which attracts visitors, will increase the
perception of safety as when there are more good pedestrians, there will be less
offenders on the street.
• Increase Tourism Days: Downtown Fort Wayne currently offers visitors with historical
and cultural museums and venues including the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Foellinger-
Freimann Botanical Conservatory, Historic Old Fort, The History Center, Fort Wayne
Firefighters Museum, Auer Center for Arts and Culture, Embassy Theatre, and Fort

2. CANAL HOUSE MUSEUM | Dean, Jodi 2025
Wayne Civic Theatre. Moments away from downtown Fort Wayne is the Fort Wayne Zoo
and Science Central. An additional downtown museum increases the likelihood of
visitors spending more time and money in Fort Wayne, which in return capture hotel
and restaurant taxes to support local infrastructure.
Cost:
At this time an informal or formal budget is not present, however the following budget
considerations must be made:
• Initial Purchase
• Upkeep
• Museum Displays
• Staffing

Comparison museums are the Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum, Inc. and Fort Wayne
African American Society. Both museums have annual operating expenses of under
$100,000 apiece. Assets, outside of the building, need to be priced according to value.
Funding:
There are two options for funding the Canal House Museum. The Canal Museum
will be a tax-exempt entity, either as a stand-alone organization or an umbrella, such as
Arts United or ARCH. As a nonprofit organization it could receive funding from area
foundations, such as Fort Wayne Community Foundation and Surack Family Foundation,
as well as donations from individuals. In addition, the space may be eligible for funding
from the Indiana Department of Historical Landmarks and the United States National Park
Services’ Historical Landmarks
Currently, owned by the City of Fort Wayne. Thus, it could be turned into a park
space such as Salomon Farm Park, and it could be supported with taxes created via TIF.
The Museum TIF district would support infrastructure of the Canal Museum in addition to
other public downtown space within boundaries. These specific TIF district boundaries
would be Clay to the East, Berry to the South, Harrison to the West, and 4
th
Street to the
North. The TIF funds would be from taxes captured from Allen County innkeeper’s and
restaurant meal tax, which would be used for museum expenses and nearby infrastructure.
Either as a nonprofit or public space, there would be an admission fee to support
annual expenses and ongoing upkeep. It is expected that the small museum could have
between 5,000 – 10,000 visitors each year and is expected to have entry fee of

3. CANAL HOUSE MUSEUM | Dean, Jodi 2025
approximately $7.00 - $10.00 per visitor. Although the small amount will not be self-
sustaining, the entry fees would contribute to a portion of the funding needs.
Broader Placemaking:
As of August 2025, the 100 block of Superior Street has the Canal House, a small
concrete parking spot between the Canal House and Harrison Street, a larger parking
between the Canal House and North Clinton Street, and an old business transfer terminal
to the west of the Canal House. The small parking lot could be turned into a green lush
lawn. The space could be used for reading, relaxation, or picnicking. On special
occasions, the place could host artisans who could sell their goods. Visitors would be
able to see the quality-of-life Fort Wayne has to offer, even outside the Museum’s doors.
The parking lot with Public Transportation Transfer building to the west of the Canal
House could be turned into commercial or cultural space. The transportation transfer site,
a half-building could be incorporated in the building plans for a commercial site. Ideas for
this partial block include a family-friendly, yet upscale dining space that serves lunch or
dinner that compliments the surrounding entertainment offerings, or a small retail space
that provides local entrepreneurs with a place to sell their goods. Taxes from these
businesses could support the museum and area infrastructure.
Some may see this space as the ideal place for a small STEM museum that would
further explain Fort Wayne’s routes in transportation including the number of families who
visit downtown. Paired with another activity, families may decide to make a longer trip to
the Summit City, which would increase the taxes collected. In addition, it would allow
local families an additional learning opportunity.
Timeline:
• September to December, 2025: Concept Research
• 2026: Official Proposal, Local Agreements Authorized and Signed, Board Developed
• 2027: Fundraising and Soft Launch (Special Events), Artifacts Gathered
• 2028: Opening Day

4. CANAL HOUSE MUSEUM | Dean, Jodi 2025
Current Property Photos




Commented [JD1]: Canal House
Commented [JD2]: West of Canal House
Commented [JD3]: East of Canal House