The Hulman Dynasty - Coming to America

Hulman philanthropy in Terre Haute at a glance From the first generation, members of the Hulman family have been active in philanthropy in Terre Haute. Perhaps the best-known philanthropist among Hulman family members was Tony Hulman. The family's philanthropic efforts now extend to Indianapolis.

St. Anthony's Hospital, 1882-1884, 1908, 1913
Herman Hulman's wife, Antonia Riefenstahl Hulman, worried about the city's lack of a hospital. Herman bought a vacant, two-story building at Second and Mulberry streets, and the first St. Anthony Hospital opened Sept. 11, 1882. As it outgrew those quarters, Antonia hoped to expand the facility; after she died in April, Herman paid $30,000 for the vacant St. Agnes Academy and another $10,000 to convert it to a hospital, and it opened Jan. 1, 1884. Herman and his family would continue to provide for it, including $80,000 in 1908 for a north wing. He also left $25,000 in his will for the maintenance of the hospital.
St. Benedict's Catholic Church, 1896-1899
The cornerstone for the current St. Benedict's Catholic Church was laid Oct. 4, 1896, and the church was dedicated June 18, 1899. Herman Hulman was the only layman invited to a dinner at the Terre Haute House after the church was dedicated. The church cost at least $100,000, and officials said Herman financed at least half that, including a $25,000, three-ton statue of St. Michael the Archangel crowning the highest dome. Herman also left $10,000 in his will for improvement of St. Benedict's parochial school.
Rose Polytechnic Institute land gift, April 22, 1917
In memory of their parents, Herman Hulman Jr. and Anton Hulman announced during a rally at the Deming Hotel in downtown Terre Haute that they were pledging $30,650, the exact amount the institute paid them for purchase of Hulman family property for a new campus east of the city.
Calvary Cemetery, April 22, 1917
Also in memory of their parents, Herman Hulman Jr. and Anton Hulman paid the cemetery's $37,183.04 debt. They returned two promissory notes originating through the cemetery's expenditures immediately after making their gift to Rose Polytechnic Institute.
Hulman Regional Airport, 1943
The Civil Aeronautics Administration announced the approval of a 640-acre tract of land east of the city off Poplar Street for a new municipal airport and said the government would spend $1.15 million for airport improvements if the city provided the land. On Feb. 10, 1943, Tony announced he would donate $100,000 for purchase of that land, then offered another $16,000 to purchase the mineral rights of the site. After the city paid $96,350 for 638 acres, ground was broken on June 24, 1943, and Hulman Field was dedicated on Oct. 3, 1944.
$250,000 donation to Rose Polytechnic Institute, Jan. 27, 1966
Rose Polytechnic Institute's $12.5 million development program received $250,000 from the Hulman Foundation, which would be applied toward the $1.2 million campus center already under construction. Tony and Mary Fendrich Hulman and Grace Hulman made the gift through the foundation.
New Vigo County office building, July 14, 1967
County taxpayers saved an estimated $600,000 after the Hulman Foundation presented the deed to the former WTHI Radio Center at 120 S. Seventh St. to the board of county commissioners. The county used the building for offices, including the Board of Health offices, Area Plan Commission and Air Pollution Control.
Hulman Civic Center, October 1969
Tony and Mary Fendrich Hulman donated $2.5 million to Indiana State University through the Hulman Foundation to help finance a 12,000-seat university-community multipurpose complex. The $2.5 million was designed as a challenge gift toward construction of the complex, expected to cost $8 million. Tony tossed the first basketball onto the Hulman Center court Dec. 14, 1973.
$11 million gift to Rose Polytechnic Institute, 1970
In 1970, the assets of the Hulman Foundation were donated to Rose Polytechnic Institute. Valued at $11 million for tax purposes, the gift included stocks in several companies, including Tribune-Star Publishing Co., Hulman & Co., Coca-Cola Bottling-Indianapolis Inc. and Richmond Gas Corp.
$1 million gift to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, March 1, 1973
Tony and Mary Fendrich Hulman's initial contribution of $1 million kicked off the final fund drive in the school's 10-year development program. The $5 million push for funds was the final phase of a campaign scheduled for completion in 1973 and would provide needed capital improvements. Of the $5 million, $2 million was earmarked for a massive recreation complex to include an intramural gymnasium, Olympic-size swimming pool, four handball courts, weight and wrestling rooms, additional showers and locker areas and other facilities.
Terre Haute Jaycees Anti-Drug Abuse Fund, July 1974
Tony Hulman donated $2,000 to help the Terre Haute Jaycees raise $10,000 during a three-month campaign to be presented to the Alcohol and Drug Service Division of Katherine Hamilton Mental Health Center for creation of a six-county drug abuse program.
Terre Haute city golf course land and cash donation, October 1974
Tony Hulman signed over 226 acres of land to the city for a new 18-hole city golf course on the city's east side. Tony and Mary Fendrich Hulman's $495,000 land donation and $250,000 monetary donation and a matching $493,241.50 grant from the U.S. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation financed The Hulman Links at Lost Creek, which opened April 15, 1978.
Land gift to Terre Haute for new fire station, October 1978
Mary Fendrich Hulman gave two acres at the corner of Fort Harrison Road and 13th Street for a new $500,000 fire station. The station, near Plaza North Shopping Center Ī which Tony Hulman developed Ī would replace stations at 14th Street and Barbour Avenue and Ninth Street and Lafayette Avenue.
Hulman Links Clubhouse gift, 1984
To help finance construction of an 8,000-square-foot clubhouse, the Hulman family and Hulman & Co. donated $155,000 toward its construction, which cost $400,000.
$2 million contribution for student union complex at Indiana State University, December 1987
A $2 million contribution from the Mary Fendrich Hulman Charitable Trust went for construction of an $8.65 million Hulman Memorial Student Union complex at Sixth and Chestnut streets on the ISU campus. The contribution was a major step toward renovating Gillum Hall, which would be connected to the student union. The family also donated furniture for the executive and guest dining and reception area on the ninth floor of Gillum Hall.
Mari Hulman George School of Equine Studies, St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, October 1989
Mari Hulman George committed $629,000 to St. Mary-of-the-Woods to endow and establish the Equine Studies School in 1989. In establishing the school, she provided for capital improvements to existing facilities, including renovation of the stable and building new classrooms and conference rooms. The school built an outdoor arena for year-round instruction.
Water line gift for Hulman Links Golf Course, 1989
In January 1989, Patrick R. Ralston, superintendent of the Terre Haute City Parks and Recreation Department, announced the gift of $72,100 from Mari Hulman George for the construction of a new water line to the golf course. The parks department raised the other $72,100.
Donation for repairs to the arts and sciences building at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, 1995
In October 1995, the family donated $500,000 to repair masonry of the college's nearly 30-year-old science building, now the Mary Fendrich Hulman Hall of the Arts and Sciences. Mary Fendrich Hulman had graduated from the former high school there, St. Mary-of-the-Woods Academy, in 1923.