Soon after acquiring the Normal Hall property in 1994 from the Town of Ladoga and Oark Township, Historic Ladoga. Inc. began investigating means in which to preserve this historical structure. The foundation of a long and meaningful relationship with HistOric Landmarks of Indiana was formed. As a result of Historic Landmark's leadership and an initial $2000 grant, Historic Ladoga moved forward with a feasibility study.

Normal Hall is an excellent example of a transition between two popular 19th century architectural expressions, the Greek Revival and ltalianate style. The formal dedication of Normal Hall was on November 19. 1878. The principal speaker was the Hon. Schuyler Colfax. former Vice President of the United States.

The Ladoga community was surveyed to provide feedback as to what purpose the facility could best serve. Much to our delight, it seemed that many groups and individuals were in need of a meeting facility. The results consistently requested the need for a meeting/banquet/reception facility, a community center, a local history museum, and a place to host educational classes. To abide with the terms of the purchase, a portion of the grounds would remain a park. With a plan in place that would ultimately serve all of these needs, Historic Ladoga would undertake the un daunting challenge of generating enough monies to see the restoration to fruition. Members also spent many long days shoveling debris, fallen ceilings, and unidentified carcasses from the building into 50 foot dumpster's to prepare the structure for inspections and the bidding process.

Historic Ladoga decided to pursue the restoration in phases, with the first phase to include stabilization of the structures foundation, exterior brickwork, roof, soffets, downspouts, and broken windows. After learning of a matching grant offered by the Department of Natural Resources/Department of Interiors, Historic Ladoga board members worked vigorously to raise $50,000 through donations and pledges, securing the $50,000 grant award. Mothershead Foundation was instrumental in helping us to meet this challenge by pledging $25,000 along with the Montgomery Co. Community Fund pledging $10,000. Others who pledged included: Bank One, Walter Hulet Trust, Montgomery County Historical Society, Montgomery County Visitor's Burean, Sherman Kessler, Farmer's State Bank, Rick & Kelly Bielecki, Larry & Karen Buruett, Olen Gowens, Comad Harvey ,Uncoln Federal, Lester & Sharon Miles, Montgomery Savings, Tri-County Bank, Dorothy Sikorski, Audary Dixon, W. Byrd, Leon & Francis Sanders, Edwin Miller, Sam Foote, Myron & Barb Sargent, Herman Davis, Glenn & Marianna Irwin, John McCrery , Jack Young, Wilda Timmerman, Dan & Karen Rhoads, Carl & Shirley Todd, Audrey Wilson, Edith Goshom, Rob & Ann O'Dell, and Eli Ully Foundation.

With construction plans provided by architect, Harry Moehler, a team of workers under the supervision of Dowell Masonry completed the first phase of construction in the fall of 1998. The brick sidewalk leading to the front entrance was also donated at that time by Mr. Dowell. Local merchants and residents continued to graciously donate their time and resources to maintain the property grounds. Soon it becan1e necessary for Historic Ladoga to secure a loan from Historic Landmarks Foundation to help with cash flow and to allow time to receive pledged monies. Faced with the responsibility of servicing a mortgage, Historic Ladoga did not have the luxury of celebrating the completion of Phase 1 for long before our need to embark on Phase 2--the phase that would ultimately allow us to generate revenue to service our debts. Board Members immediately began the bidding/interview process for Phase 2. A grant application was also submitted for new monies available through the Build Indiana Funds (Hoosier Lottery).
During the spring ofl999, Ladoga native, Herman Davis, donated $200,000 in memory of his beloved wife, Sibyl. On June 3, 2000, a ceremony was held at Old Normal to dedicate the grounds as "Davis Memorial Park." Mr. Davis, along with friends and family members from as far away as Alaska were present at this historical event.
Upon receiving word that we were awarded our fIrst Build Indiana grant, Ladoga native, Jon Jeffries, began to supervise the construction process for Phase 2. Working closely with his brothers, Jaye and Jewell, and their Roachdale Building Supply crews, Jon was instrumental in making enough progress to safely allow the public to view the interior for the first time at the 2001 Christmas Candlelight Tour. Other local companies employed in the restoration were: Bud Merchant, electrical contractor, Jim Morrison, HV AC contractor, and Ambiance, Inc., for the interior design. The efforts of these individuals, along with the more than 1500 volunteer hours, have made this beautiful restoration possible.
Many items were sponsored to help offset initial construction costs. They include: one mantle by Rob & Ann O'Dell in honor of Louise Walsh Smullen, two mantles by Glen R. Irwin in memory of Wm. Wallace Ash by and Nellie Graybill Ash by, one kitchen passthrough and one window by Harvey & Marta Jeffries, and one chair by Rev. & Mrs. Glenn Brigman. Additional Phase 2 financial support included: $150,000 from Build Indiana Funds, $60,000 from Montgomery Co. Community Funds, $4,934 from Mr. & Mrs. Donald Harvey, and donations by Leight M. Wilson Foundation, Oifford & Marcia Cook, Robert & Helen Williamson, John Myers, Sr., Mothershead Foundation, Oaude & Unda Johnson, Edith Goshom, Roger & Grace Burgett, Mr. & Mrs. Conrad Harvey, Montgomery Co. Visitor's Bureau, Porter's Greenhouse, Carl & Shirley Todd, Town & Country Homeceuter, Mrs. Glen Irwin, Jr., Prosser's Body Shop, Stull's Machine Shop, Whitesville Mill, Davidson's Greenhouse, Ladoga 66, Brewer Furniture, Ladoga Hardware, J & D Tree Service, and Moody Meats.
Phase 2 included floor repair, new restrooms, electrical & furnace rooms, an elevator, the entire kitchen, all new plumbing, electrical & phone lines, 3 HV AC systems, ceilings, restoring hardwood floors & the tin ceiling, repairing trimwork, 3 new mantles with gas logs, a wheelchair accessible sidewalk and interior finishes. The interior decorating package which included strippers, paints, wall coverings, window treatments, lighting, some fixtures & hardware, accessories, labor, & design was provided by Ambiance Interiors. Owner, Kelly Bielecki, persuaded most of her vendors to either donate products or extend further discounts to wholesale prices. These savings were passed along to Historic Ladoga allowing Old Normal to have an elegant, custom decorated facility that would retail for over $55,000 at a cost of less than $14,000--over $3,000 less than the price of the original specified lights for the ballroom alone. Names of these generous vendors are acknowledged on a list displayed in the foyer.