5/10 Nonprofit hoping to breathe new life into old house

By KATE RAMSAYER
Sentinel CORRESPONDENT

WATSONVILLE — While the 106-year-old Victorian house may look haunted to those who drive by it on Highway 1, a local nonprofit group is hoping to breathe some life into the Redman-Hirahara home and the Pajaro Valley agricultural tourism industry.

The Redman Foundation is raising money to stabilize and restore the house, and use the surrounding 13.4 acres for research and education. The group hosted an open house Friday that continues today, from noon until 4 p.m., to let the public get a close-up view of the house and see plans for the information center.

"We want to attract people who aren’t necessarily well informed in agriculture to the agricultural experience," said Sean Swezey, president of the Redman Foundation.

The center will feature old farming equipment that illustrates agriculture from Redman’s time, and exhibits on the industry today. Part of the land will be devoted to demonstrations of different organic and conventional crops, and 6 acres will be set aside for agricultural research.
The farming project is well under way. The land where Redman once grew apples, sugar beets and other produce is home to 10 winter cover crops.

"We’re letting (farmers) know the reasons to plant different ones, and see how they differ," said Vanessa Bogenholm, who led a group of growers through the fields Friday morning.

Bogenholm is on the Redman Foundation board and is chairman of California Certified Organic Farmers.

While the fields are being farmed, the William Weeks-designed house still needs a lot of work.
"From the highway it looks worse than it actually is," said Redman board member David Carnaghe.

While some of the original woodworking and detailing remains, the walls and foundations were severely damaged in the 1989 earthquake.

"I’ve always been curious about what it’s like in there," said Aptos resident Nancy Lockwood, who drives by the house daily on her way to work. "It’s beautiful when you get up close."

The group is hoping to raise $200,000 to stabilize the structure. They plan to lift the building off the foundation, move it 100 feet, strengthen the foundation and add a wine cellar, then move the house back, said Geoff Scurfield, vice president of the Redman Foundation.

Part of the funds for the project will be generated from the new Redman-Hirahara Farm Stand, located between the old house and the Chevron station.

"This is a great opportunity to showcase locally grown organic agriculture," Bogenholm said Friday. "Today we’re going to have about 35 different organic products, all grown locally within 20 miles."

The stand will sell seasonal produce. This weekend, the list included fresh flowers, carrots, strawberries, lettuce, spinach and cabbage.

"I’m excited about this," said Roy Nagamine, who grows organic English cucumbers in his Watsonville greenhouse. "I think this a direction smaller farmers have to go in to be viable today."

And customers buying produce can do so knowing that they are helping restore the historic landmark along Highway 1.

"It’s fabulous," said Judy Stabile of Watsonville, who bought marigolds and pickles. "It’s great to see people taking the time and trouble bringing this house to life."

Contact Kate Ramsayer at kramsayer@santa-cruz.com.

Redman-Hirahara Open House and Farm Stand WHAT: The public can visit the 106-year-old Victorian house in Watsonville, and support its restoration by buying produce at the neighboring organic farm stand.

WHERE: The intersection of Highway 1 and Riverside Drive.
WHEN: The open house is today from noon to 4 p.m., and the farm stand will be open from noon to 7 p.m., Thursday to Sunday, through October.
CONTACT: Sean Swezey at 332-6231. Donations can be sent to Redman Foundation, P.O. Box 2526, Watsonville, CA 95076.

5/1 PRESS RELEASE

Redman House Progress Notes

May 1, 2003



Redman Foundation Invites the Public to



Our 2003 Spring Open House

And Farm Stand Fundraiser



Friday and Saturday



May 9 and May 10

From 12 Noon- 4 PM

Contact: Dale Skillicorn

President

Redman Foundation



The Redman-Hirahara property is located at the corner of Riverside Rd. and Hwy 1 in Watsonville. This 13.4-acre parcel was farmed by James Redman in the late 1890's until the 1920's and continued in farming under the Hirahara family until the 1970's.

The most prominent feature of this property is a 100- year- old William Weeks Victorian home, built in 1897. In 1998, the non-profit Redman Foundation was formed by interested community members to restore the home for visitors and make a demonstration showcase of the agricultural property. The surrounding agricultural property will be used to research and demonstrate organic and sustainable farming methods useful to the Pajaro Valley for the 21st century. The non-profit Redman Foundation holds a lease agreement and purchase option for the property, and has recently planted winter cover crops on the farm.

We invite our past, present, and future supporters to the grounds of the historic house to hear brief presentations by architects and planners concerning its future renovation. We encourage all interested public, as well as past and future donors of time and resources, to visit us during the open house and hear our plans for future activities and fundraisers. Refreshments will be served throughout the afternoon. Parking will be provided free on the grounds.

Also on May 9, 2003, the Redman Farm Stand will be opening to help with the fundraising efforts of the Redman Foundation for the property and home restoration. This farm stand will feature only certified organic products supplied by Redman Foundation board members certified by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). These growers are also members of the Buy Fresh/Buy Local Campaign sponsored by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers.

According to Vanessa Bogenholm, Chair of the Board of CCOF and Redman Foundation board member, "This farm stand will be a great opportunity for the public to support local organic farming methods and really gain an understanding of what growing
organically means. This farm stand will also showcase organic products grown in this valley."

Sean L. Swezey, President of the Board of the Redman Foundation, said: "This farm stand will help in our fundraising efforts for the house and agricultural property and help support local organic production. We welcome anyone who wants to help us
with this effort."

The Redman Farm Stand will be open through October, Thursday through Sunday, from 12pm-7pm.

Farm Field Day

Farm Field Day at Redman-Hirahara Farm, May 9, 2003

Beginning at 10 pm on May 9, the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) and the Redman Foundation will also host a cover crop and hedgerow field demonstration, discussing, among other topics, the cover crop performance at the farm. Speakers will discuss organic production and research at the farm, cover crop growth and seed sources, soil characteristics, and hedgerows of native plants. Free lunch will be provided to attendees of the farm field day. Contact Sam Earnshaw (831) 722-5556 for more information.

For Informational Purposes:

Redman-Hirahara House Reuse Proposal

Contact: Dale Skillicorn
President
Redman Foundation


History

The Redman-Hirahara House is a prime example of a west coast Victorian farm estate home situated on 14 acres of farmland adjoining Highway 1 in the Pajaro Valley of California's Central Coast. The home was built in 1897 for prosperous Pajaro Valley agriculturist James Redman. It was one of the two most extravagant examples of Queen Anne design created by renowned architect William H. Weeks. Resplendent in fine detail and utilizing the best materials
available for construction at the turn of the century, the house has stood for 103 years as a monument to the agricultural legacy of the early Yankee pioneering families.

After James Redman's death, the house and property were sold to the Hirahara family and, in fact, in the Japanese community the house is known as the Hirahara House. Home to this distinguished and honorable Japanese family, the house continued as a farming headquarters. When World War II began, the Hiraharas, along with the other Japanese families in the Valley, were relocated from the area to internment camps. The Hiraharas managed to maintain ownership of the house and their lands and after the war they returned home. It was during this period that the house became an interim home for several other Japanese families while they
reestablished themselves in the community.

Prior to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the Redman-Hirahara House was still occupied by the Hiraharas, but the house and lands had been sold to Green Farm, a partnership of investors. These investors hoped to develop the land and make it a profitable business venture. Local political sentiments have made progress on this front nearly impossible and in succeeding years the land, which is presently zoned Commercial Agriculture, has been leased for strawberry production and the house has been allowed to deteriorate.

Background to recent re-use efforts

In late 1998 a group of local citizens formed The Redman House Committee to try to determine what could be done to save the house and develop a new public use for it, which would allow it to support itself. Achieving 501 (c) 3 status in September of 1999, the group reformed as the Redman Foundation and has been working diligently with the owners and government entities to secure non-profit ownership of the house and farmland and raise the needed funds to initiate restoration.

The Foundation has obtained an option to purchase not only the house, but also the entire 14-acre parcel. It is the goal of the Foundation to exercise this option and keep this land in agricultural production, featuring modern organic farming practices, while developing a use for the house, which will benefit the local economy. A unique agreement between the University of
California, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program and the Redman Foundation provides for management of the farmland for demonstration and research purposes under organic certification.

The Reuse Proposal

It has been established that millions of motorists drive by the Redman-Hirahara House each year on Highway 1 on their way to or from the San Francisco or Monterey Bay Areas. The old house, even in its neglected condition, acts as a beacon to passersby. Half way between the redwoods and beach attractions of northern Santa Cruz County and the waterfront and historic sites of Monterey and situated in the very midst of the farmlands and wetlands of the Pajaro Valley, the house is in a prime tourist hub for the entire Monterey Bay Region.

The Redman House Foundation, in cooperation and collaboration with government entities, interested foundations and individual local sponsors, plans to create an agricultural tourism, and demonstration reception center for the Pajaro Valley. This plan ensures that the land would be kept in production and utilized as a gateway for ag/eco-tourism in the Pajaro Valley.

The Redman-Hirahara House restoration project would endeavor to restore the 1890s farmstead as a visitor/reception center open to public uses. The immediate area around the house would be restored in a manner reminiscent of classic Victorian gardens of the time. The nine acres of surrounding farmland would be utilized to demonstrate modern organic farming practices and new crops. Both areas would be readily accessible to visitors and have interpretive information and activities, as well as be designed to permit special farm/home related events. The house, once restored, will be used to showcase local products and crafts and become a
striking Victorian backdrop for special events. The Redman-Hirahara House would invite visitors from near and far to discover the vibrant history of the Pajaro Valley, celebrating, displaying and promoting the rich cultural diversity of the valley and demonstrating the modern agricultural technologies which make the central coast a leader in organic production, while also
introducing guests to local scenic and shopping attractions.

The rooms in the 4000 square foot Redman-Hirahara House, while decorated with period furnishings, would be dedicated to specific visitor interests. One room might be dedicated to distributing information on Monterey Bay Area attractions and accommodations. Another room might be utilized to interpret local history and a third could be available for the promotion of
local products such as strawberries or wines. The project will have a revenue-generating element to guarantee that it will be self-supporting.

Funds will be raised through public monies and through local initiative and grants, and Redman Foundation will staff the non-profit tasks of maintaining the house and grounds, managing exhibits, and operating a visitor center contained in the house.