Hutchinson Homestead Preservation Project and Visitor Center
In order to save an intact group of historic ranching buildings which the Hutchinson family donated to the Town of Poncha Springs for public use, the Friends of the Hutchinson Homestead, as a chapter of SPOT raised and administered over $1 million dollars over a 12 year period. Our major partners in historic preservation are:
- History Colorado – State Historical Fund – $480,000
- The National Park Service – $290,000
For successful completion of the historic preservation and construction of a new visitor center and parking lot, we are deeply grateful to the following groups in the public and private sector: - Dr. Wendell F. Hutchinson for donating his historic homestead
- Chaffee County, City of Salida, Town of Poncha Springs – $110,000
- The Gates Foundation – $80,000
- Estate of Fred “Fritz” Paquette – $50,000
- The El Pomar Foundation – $10,000
- Individual donors – $23,000
- In-Kind Fees and Services from local businesses – $43,000
Thanks to the local volunteers who steered this project from the beginning:
- The Hutchinson Homestead Advisory Committee
- The Hutchinson Homestead Rustlers Fund Raising Committee
And a huge thanks to Guidestone Colorado for taking over the operations. Guidestone Colorado is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is growing a vibrant agricultural future through education, community building, and partnerships. guidestonecolorado.org
The Hutchinson Homestead and Learning Center is a dynamic heritage site dating back to the 1860’s where today, history and preservation bring the story of the land and community to life through interpretive education programs, celebrations and events. Guidestone Colorado operates and manages this learning center with the vision of bridging our past to the future of agriculture in the Upper Arkansas River Valley.
Visit the Hutchinson Homestead & Learning Center website.