10/22 Pumpkin sales aimed at saving Redman House
By KAREN A. DAVIS
Sentinel staff writer
WATSONVILLE — Her windows stare like dark, vacant eyes over the dusty fields, waiting for a caller to stand in awe of her aging beauty. This Halloween, the old, graying Victorian known as the Redman House will get her wish.
Now through Oct. 31, the nonprofit Redman Foundation is operating a pumpkin sale at the 14-acre property just off Highway 1 at Riverside Drive. Proceeds will help fund the eventual purchase of the property and restoration of the house and surrounding farmland.
The foundation recently leased the property with hopes of one day making it an educational, research and demonstration farm featuring sustainable and organic methods. It’s a dream that could help the "Pajaro Valley become an agricultural destination," according to Director John Skinner. But that dream could take about 10 years and $10 million to become a reality, officials say.
The five-bedroom house designed by Watsonville architect William Weeks, originally was built for the James Redman family in 1898. After 1930, it was owned by the Hirahara family, who managed to retain the home despite being moved to internment camps during World War II. The house, which now needs seismic retrofitting, has stood empty since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
Besides restoration of the house, a conference center and a carriage house deli eventually could be built on the site. A formal garden would make a perfect wedding spot, and the grounds could host farmer’s markets and other outdoor events, officials say. The house’s first floor could become home to wine tasting and could showcase other area crops, such as apples. The hope is to make the project self-sustaining, Skinner said.
The pumpkin patch is open daily from noon to 6 p.m. Hundreds of locally grown pumpkins of all sizes are available, with prices starting at 99 cents. Visitors of all ages can enter pumpkin carving and scarecrow-making contests at the patch through Oct. 30. Prizes include free passes to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and a free dinner for two at the Shadowbrook Restaurant in Capitola. Winners will be announced Oct. 31.
Redman Foundation Pumpkin Patch
WHO: The nonprofit Redman Foundation.
WHAT: Pumpkin sale to help fund eventual purchase and restoration of the historic Redman House, which was designed by Watsonville architect William Weeks and built in 1898.
WHEN: Open daily from noon to 6 p.m. through Oct. 31.
WHERE: Off Highway 1 at Riverside Drive.
COST: The patch is open to the public. Admission is free. Pumpkins of all sizes are available for purchase, with prices starting at 99 cents.
CONTESTS: Pumpkin carving and scarecrow making contests are open to area residents of all ages through Oct. 30. Prizes will be awarded. Winners will be announced Oct. 31.
DONATING: Tax-deductible donations may be sent to the Redman House Foundation, PO Box 2526, Watsonville, CA 95077-2526. For information, visit http://www.redmanhouse.org/.
Sentinel staff writer
WATSONVILLE — Her windows stare like dark, vacant eyes over the dusty fields, waiting for a caller to stand in awe of her aging beauty. This Halloween, the old, graying Victorian known as the Redman House will get her wish.
Now through Oct. 31, the nonprofit Redman Foundation is operating a pumpkin sale at the 14-acre property just off Highway 1 at Riverside Drive. Proceeds will help fund the eventual purchase of the property and restoration of the house and surrounding farmland.
The foundation recently leased the property with hopes of one day making it an educational, research and demonstration farm featuring sustainable and organic methods. It’s a dream that could help the "Pajaro Valley become an agricultural destination," according to Director John Skinner. But that dream could take about 10 years and $10 million to become a reality, officials say.
The five-bedroom house designed by Watsonville architect William Weeks, originally was built for the James Redman family in 1898. After 1930, it was owned by the Hirahara family, who managed to retain the home despite being moved to internment camps during World War II. The house, which now needs seismic retrofitting, has stood empty since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
Besides restoration of the house, a conference center and a carriage house deli eventually could be built on the site. A formal garden would make a perfect wedding spot, and the grounds could host farmer’s markets and other outdoor events, officials say. The house’s first floor could become home to wine tasting and could showcase other area crops, such as apples. The hope is to make the project self-sustaining, Skinner said.
The pumpkin patch is open daily from noon to 6 p.m. Hundreds of locally grown pumpkins of all sizes are available, with prices starting at 99 cents. Visitors of all ages can enter pumpkin carving and scarecrow-making contests at the patch through Oct. 30. Prizes include free passes to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and a free dinner for two at the Shadowbrook Restaurant in Capitola. Winners will be announced Oct. 31.
Redman Foundation Pumpkin Patch
WHO: The nonprofit Redman Foundation.
WHAT: Pumpkin sale to help fund eventual purchase and restoration of the historic Redman House, which was designed by Watsonville architect William Weeks and built in 1898.
WHEN: Open daily from noon to 6 p.m. through Oct. 31.
WHERE: Off Highway 1 at Riverside Drive.
COST: The patch is open to the public. Admission is free. Pumpkins of all sizes are available for purchase, with prices starting at 99 cents.
CONTESTS: Pumpkin carving and scarecrow making contests are open to area residents of all ages through Oct. 30. Prizes will be awarded. Winners will be announced Oct. 31.
DONATING: Tax-deductible donations may be sent to the Redman House Foundation, PO Box 2526, Watsonville, CA 95077-2526. For information, visit http://www.redmanhouse.org/.
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