A special thanks to the following partners for the success of the Hutchinson Homestead and Learning Center.
Primary partners include:
Guidestone Colorado is a 501c3 nonprofit based in Chaffee County whose mission is growing a vibrant agricultural future in Colorado through education, community building and partnerships. Guidestone Colorado first became involved at the Hutchinson Homestead in 2011, partnering with Salida Area Parks, Open Space and Trails to provide Farmhands Education programs to children and families at the site. Since that time, this role has continued to expand, and in Spring 2015, Guidestone Colorado has transitioned to operating the site.
History Colorado State Historical Fund – The Hutchinson Homestead and Learning Center was paid for in part by a State Historical Fund Grant from History Colorado, the Colorado Historical Society, providing significant funding and preservation expertise. The State Historical Fund assists in restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings, architectural assessments, archaeological excavations, designation and interpretation of historic places, preservation planning studies, and education and training programs. The contents and opinions contained here-in do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of History Colorado, the Colorado Historical Society.
The Hutchinson Ranch is a cow/calf operation, and the Hutchinson Family continues to ranch the 750+ acres surrounding the homestead site, most of which is held in a conservation easement through the Colorado Cattleman’s Association Land Trust and Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas. The Hutchinson Ranch is also a beautiful venue, and the newest barn facility is available to rent for weddings and other events. The Hutchinson Family continues to be highly involved in program development at the HH&LC, and Abby Hutchinson is often a guest presenter for Guidestone Farmhands Education Programs at the Learning Center.
Older Than Dirt Construction (OTD) is a small general contracting company specializing in historic preservation. They are based in Salida, but they work throughout the state on historic preservation construction projects. OTD was the lead contractor for all phases of preservation work at the Homestead, and continues to provide support through development of preservation tour content and other preservation-focused aspects of the HH&LC. OTD Principals, Mike and Colleen Perschbacher and their son John have been an invaluable asset to the completion of the HH&LC.
Salida Area Parks Open Space and Trails (SPOT) is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to promote the creation, preservation, improvement and appreciation of parks, open space and trails in the greater Salida area. SPOT assists municipalities, groups and individuals to plan, write grants and implement projects in Chaffee County, which include public park amenities and improvements, historical preservation, open-space acquisition and trails systems. SPOT is responsible for raising over $750,000 in funding support for the preservation work at the Hutchinson Homestead. Katy Grether, Preservation Project Manager, served on the SPOT Board of Directors through these preservation phases at the HH&LC and now serves on Guidestone’s Board of Directors as the HH&LC Liaison.
Town of Poncha Springs, located just west of the Hutchinson Homestead and Ranch, is the owner of the homestead site, thanks to the generous donation of Dr. Wendell F. Hutchinson (4th generation) in 2006.
Additional Partners in the completion of the preservation work and Visitor Center construction include:
Avalon Archaeology – Principal and owner of Avalon Archaeology, Michelle Slaughter, was the archaeologist of record for all construction phases. Her firm was responsible for monitoring all ground disturbing activities, retrieving all artifacts and identifying their use, age and provenance.
Central Colorado Preservation Partners – In 2003, preservation architect Gary Higgins and preservation planner Jackie Powell of Central Colorado Preservation Partners conducted the Historic Structure Assessment of all the buildings to determine their condition and set a detailed plan for their preservation. Gary and Jackie continued to consult and provide architectural services throughout the twelve years of historic preservation work at the site.
Chaffee County has been a longtime partner in the Hutchinson Homestead preservation project by providing generous matching funds, technical, staff and in-kind support and fee waivers.
The City of Salida has been a longtime partner in the preservation of the Hutchinson Homestead by providing matching funds, staff support and fee waivers.
Colorado Preservation Inc. is a non-profit that promotes, educates and partners with the public to preserve historic resources around the state. Colorado Preservation Inc. (CPI) brought statewide attention to the Hutchinson Homestead by nominating the site to their annual list of Colorado’s Most Endangered Places in 2003. This recognition helped the project obtain both state and federal funds.
Moyes Associates Ltd. – Duncan Moyes, a Salida-based architect, became the architect of record during the final construction phase and consulted and guided the rehabilitation and preservation work during the last few years to its conclusion in 2013.
National Park Service – The preservation of the Hutchinson Homestead & Learning Center has been financed in part with Federal funds from the Save America’s Treasured program, administered by the National Park Service, US Department of the Interior. However, the contents and opinions contained here-in do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Department of the Interior. This program received Federal financial assistance for the identification and protection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, the US Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability or age in its federally funded assistance programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240.