8-26 Artisans eager to work on Redman House

8/17 Redman House earns historic standing

By DONNA JONES
Sentinel staff writer

WATSONVILLE — A new historic designation has raised hopes for the future of a dilapidated 19th-century Pajaro Valley farmhouse.

The Redman House, a two-story Queen Anne Victorian designed by famed local architect William Weeks in 1897 and visible from Highway 1 near Riverside Drive, has been approved for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The federal designation is good news for the Redman House Foundation, a 5-year-old group that aims to restore the mansion but has struggled to reach that goal.

"From the standpoint of the national register, it makes (the house) more qualified for some types of grants," said Dale Skillicorn, foundation president. "From a public-relations standpoint, it helps people see ... it’s worth helping save."

The five-bedroom home was built for sugar beet farmer James Redman, and was owned for many years by the Hirahara family, who held onto the property despite being sent to an interment camp during World War II. The property was purchased by a developer in the 1980s.
The foundation has an option to purchase the historic home and the 14 acres that surround it for $2.4 million, and is negotiating with owner Green Farm Limited Partnership, Skillicorn said. He estimates that restoring the house will run another $2 million. The foundation plans to convert the property to a visitors center and demonstration farm.

The lease and purchase option expire in November.

Owen Lawlor, spokesman for Green Farm, said negotiations are ongoing.
"We share the community’s enthusiasm to have the building restored," Lawlor said. "But there has to be an economic underpinning to make that possible. ... That’s a pretty significant piece."
It’s a piece that has challenged the foundation. Last fall, the group nearly lost its lease after missing a $20,000 payment. Skillicorn, a Watsonville City Councilman, subsequently took over the helm of the organization, and a donor came forward to cover the missed payment.
Now Skillicorn said the foundation has $200,000 for a down payment, and believes a deal on a final purchase contract is close.

"As far as I’m concerned, nothing is going to stop us," he said.

8/12 PRESS RELEASE

Redman House Progress Notes
Contact: Dale Skillicorn
PresidentRedman Foundation

On August 10th, City of Watsonville Associate Planner Suzi Aratin received an e-mail from Marylin Lortie of the California State Parks Department's Office of Historic Preservation. That e-mail stated, "Hi, Suzi. The Redman House got listed (on the National Historic Registry) on July 28th. We just got the notice today. Congratulations."

So it's official. The Redman House is now on the National Historic Register and qualifies for special considerations in funding and protection. I want to thank Suzi Aratin for helping make it possible . . . not in her role as a City planner, but in her role as Chairperson of the Santa Cruz County Historical Trust. She was the one who wrote the application and made sure it was thorough in detailing the historical importance and architectural value of the Redman House. And she successfully helped move it through the system, getting the State's recommendation and Federal approval. So Suzi, again, "thank you."

And while we are thanking people who have helped and supported the Redman Foundation's project to save the house and establish a demonstration farm representing the Pajaro Valley's agricultural heritage, we have had a terrific response to the article about our project in the San Jose Mercury on July 9th, written by Lisa M. Krieger. Thank you, Lisa. Your article brought the Redman House project both financial and volunteer help. In the short month since the article was published we have received financial donations from the following:

Mr. Montgomery Kersten and Ms. Sheryl Heckmann made a substantial donation through the Peninsula Community Foundation. Clint and Karen Miller of Clint Miller Farms also made a generous contribution. Others making direct donations include C.F. and Anne J. Bauer, Robert White and Annette Breigan, Judy Livegood, L.M.F.T., Raymond Caruso, JoAnn Mattingley, Steve and Elizabeth Zientek, Pia and Hans Camenzind, James and C. Shelley Emerson, Mike Forster and Susan Cole.

In addition, several people made donations for purchase of plants for the planned landscaping and heritage gardens. These include Bud and Kathy Mann, who made arrangements with Van Well Nursery to discount and partially donate the 600 apple trees used to start the demonstration orchard. Local Realtors Aldina Maciel and Frank Ybarra each made donations for trees in that orchard. Bertil K. Bergam of Aptos made a donation for one of the 22 palm trees which will eventually line the driveway to the house.

Donations to fund rose bushes in the garden came from Lisa Loundagin in honor of her brother's birthday, and there was a donation made in memory of Ray and Rose Mollenhauer by their daughter. Other donations for rose bushes were made by Robert and Grace Hasbrook, Charlene L. Henley, Oliver and Pat Brown, Karma and Wendy Brewer Lama, Marlene Spencer, Grace Voss, Dorothy Matheson, Seiji Yonemura and Constance S. McKenzie, Glenn and Althea Dooley, Linda Kay Roshon-Harville, and Mrs. Lois Owens. Funds for other garden plants were provided by Jean and William Holmes, Gail Bower, Rosyn Davis, Robert and Dorothy Scholz.
We appreciate the help and as we hopefully take the final steps towards acquiring the Redman House property we urge you to join those listed above in helping make it happen. You can send your donations to:

The Redman Foundation P.O. Box 2526 Watsonville, CA 95077 831-768-1867

Thank you, The Redman Foundation Board ID #770509782