Redstone Historical Society $25K short on purchasing, preserving historic property

The Redstone Historical Society is just $25,000 shy of securing a rare and cherished piece of Pitkin County history: the historic Redstone Cottage. 

The organization has until July 31 to complete the purchase and preserve the property as a cultural cornerstone of the Crystal Valley.

“This is a rare opportunity,” said Lisa Mattson of the Redstone Historical Society, who is also leading efforts to restore the Redstone General Store. “The mission of the Redstone Historical Society is to preserve historic elements within our community. We have the opportunity to become the stewards of this cottage, which has been in the same family for 80 years.”

The Redstone Cottage is one of the few remaining intact examples of the original Osgood-era mining cottages from the early 20th century. Built in 1902, the Victorian-style home was part of industrialist John Cleveland Osgood’s planned company town, which housed workers employed at his coal mining and coke operations. 

According to RHS board member Tucker Farris, the cottage has retained nearly all of its original interior elements, making it a “living museum.” 

The current asking price of the cottage is $879,000, which is below market value. As a donation, one family member of the current owners will forgo collecting $279,000 once the purchase is made.

“The interior of the cottage is almost 99% original to the mining era,” Farris said. “We have been working in close conjunction with Pitkin County, which has very graciously voted and approved a match grant of $200,000 towards the purchase of the cottage.”

The society has also applied for a $250,000 grant from History Colorado, which is still pending. So far, more than $120,000 in private and foundation grants have been raised across the Roaring Fork and Crystal River valleys in support of the effort.

“We’ve received 121 letters of support for our grant application from longtime locals, new arrivals, and notable foundations in the valley, including the Art Foundation of Redstone, the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association, and the Redstone Inn,” Farris said. “There’s a real throb of support in the community.”

If successful, the Redstone Cottage will be converted into a museum, educational center, and welcome center, serving as an anchor for visitors and residents interested in the region’s rich history.

Founded in 2001, the Redstone Historical Society is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and interpreting the legacy of Redstone and the Crystal River Valley. The organization manages archives, hosts open houses, and provides walking tours to connect the public with the area’s cultural and industrial past.

Mattson emphasized that while the family has graciously given RHS a year to raise the funds, time is running out.

“If things are not wrapped up in the next couple of weeks, the cottage may be sold to another buyer,” she said.

To contribute to the campaign or learn more, visit historyredstone.org or contact the Redstone Historical Society at info@historyredstone.org.