Norwich — Three grant applications with a combined total of $88,772 were submitted by Friday's deadline in the latest round of funding through the Sachem Fund run by the city and the Mohegan tribe.

There is $99,659 remaining in the fund created in 2007 by the city and the Mohegan tribe to fund economic development, tourism and community improvement projects.

The Norwich Historical Society, which has received several grants from the fund over the years, requested $27,772.50 to continue its efforts to create self-guided walking tours of historical Norwich neighborhoods and areas. The society used Sachem Fund grants to create the “Walk Norwich” tours of Uncas Leap and the Colonial-era Norwichtown Green and surrounding areas.

In the new grant request, the society stated it hopes to continue the effort through the Jeffersonian era, Civil War and Industrial Revolution in Norwich. The tours include brochures, online features and trail signs directing participants along the way.

The Ellis Walter Ruley Project Committee is seeking $55,000 to “assist in the creation of a park and sanctuary at the Ruley homestead.” The city owns the remote, rustic Hammond Avenue homestead of self-taught African American folk artist Ellis Walter Ruley. His work drew interest years after his mysterious death in 1959. He was found dead at the base of his long, snaking driveway.

Renewed interest in Ruley was sparked in 2015, when renowned retired New York medical examiner Dr. Michael Baden conducted family-authorized exhumations and autopsies on Ruley and his son-in-law Douglas Harris. Baden ruled Harris' death a homicide, but couldn't determine if Ruley was struck or pushed before his fatal fall down the driveway.

Norwich city officials have since embraced plans to recognize Ruley for his colorful paintings of fantastical nature scenes, animals and Biblical stories. A small plate of his best known painting, Adam and Eve — a sort of self portrait of Ruley and his wife — now adorns his grave.

The city created the Ellis Walter Ruley Project Committee to design a proposed public park and artist refuge at the rural secluded property.

Safe Futures of New London submitted the third, very different grant application for $6,000 to provide partial support for its Norwich domestic violence response team, which works closely with Norwich police on domestic violence cases.

The Sachem Fund Board, with members from the city and the Mohegan tribe, will receive and review the applications. The board will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday at City Hall to review the applications. In the past, the board has listened to presentations from applicants before making recommendations for funding to the City Council.

c.bessette@theday.com