Indiana Landmarks outlines rehabilitation plan for 1844 Custer Cosby House at 111 East Fourth

Indiana Landmarks told the Madison Historic District Board of Review it has acquired the mid-19th-century Custer (also noted in the application as the Cosby) House and will rehabilitate the remaining historic front section while adding a two-story rear addition.

Greg Sekula, southern regional director for Indiana Landmarks, described the plan: the organization intends to retain the original c.1844 two‑story front block, repair damaged wood siding in kind, preserve the remaining multilite wooden windows and fabricate a single missing nine‑light sash where required. The rear addition is designed to be wood‑sided to match the historic profile and will sit behind the preserved front section. Sekula said salvaged 6-over-6 wooden sashes recovered from a recently demolished Hanover College house will be repurposed on the project’s elevations where appropriate.

Project team comments and board discussion focused on materials and foundation treatment. The project team said the existing front foundation incorporates original stone reused in a prior repair, and that new sections will be concrete block parged to read as traditional masonry. The interior of the new addition is intended to be left unfinished initially; Indiana Landmarks’ stated strategy is to finish the exterior envelope to market the property for a future buyer, and only complete interior finishes in a subsequent phase if the property does not sell as‑is.

Following findings of fact from board members noting adherence to design guidelines — including retaining historic fabric and using in-kind repair techniques — the board voted to grant a certificate of appropriateness. Staff will issue COA paperwork and track follow-up items listed in the board’s decision.