$59,000 Raised to Save the Ruppe Building

The following update was provided by Bring Back Calumet Taskforce.

The effort to preserve one of Calumet’s most iconic historic buildings is gaining momentum. The Bring Back Calumet Taskforce has now raised more than $59,000 toward its $200,000 goal to stabilize and restore the 130-year-old Ruppe Block, thanks in part to a generous $10,000 gift from a Ruppe family member. 

This donation launched the Ruppe Legacy Challenge, a community match effort that invites supporters to help double the gift and accelerate critical stabilization work already underway. 

Volunteers and contractors have made significant progress inside the building, including debris removal, roof sealing, and the installation of structural shoring to stabilize the building. 

Saving the Ruppe Block is about more than protecting a structure; it’s about honoring Calumet’s heritage and creating the foundation for new housing and revitalized storefronts downtown. 

To join the Ruppe Legacy Challenge or to learn more about the project, visit the Bring Back Calumet Initiative webpage.