Big Red Renovation Open House and Ribbon Cutting

After nearly a year of major renovations, Ucross Foundation celebrated the reopening of the 144-year-old Big Red Ranch House with a public ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Tuesday, June 16.

The Big Red Ranch house is the ‘beating heart’ of Ucross, said Caitlin Addlesperger, Ucross President and Executive Director. She talked about some of the history of the ranch house.

Today, the Big Red Ranch House is on the National Register of Historic Places. As well as being a home, the building at one time housed a fourth-class post office and was an overnight stagecoach stop.

In the 1960’s, Ucross Founder Raymond Plank purchased the property and surrounding ranch land. The abandoned ranch house building had been taken over by nature and wildlife, including beehives, bats and even cattle. With support from early donors, Plank and his son Michael renovated the building in 1982.

By 1983, the Ranch House had become the headquarters for Ucross Foundation, which began its mission to support artists by providing time and studio space that same year. Addlesperger added,

Board Chair Jesse Marion and Board Treasure Roger Plank, spoke about the renovation of the old ranch house.

Plank said most of the building was done by his brother, Mike Plank, who also attended the event. He said his father, Ray was a dreamer, but he also put action first. When Raymond Plank purchased the house and land, Plank said,

The evening included the opening of the Big Red Showcase exhibition featuring Sheridan artist Arin Waddell.

Waddell added that artists have been influenced, stolen and borrowed from each other for years. She said that people had been copying her father’s paintings for years.

She also talked about AI, and how easy it was to use AI to make a piece of art or writing. AI is a tool, and it is here to stay, she said.

She paraphrased from David Whyte’s book, “Consolations.”

Armand Brachman took the podium, saying he never had experienced the west before coming to Ucross with his wife.

“Now, this important piece of history is preserved, and the building is functional and safe for artists, visitors and staff,” he added.

Following the remarks was a ribbon cutting with the Chamber of Commerce ambassadors, an open house to view the updates on the Ranch House, and a ticketed picnic with live music by Dave Munsick.

Photo by Kat Conner. With Thanks

Photo by Emi Whiting, with thanks.

Around 75 people attended the event and enjoyed an elegant summer picnic on the Big Red Lawn. There were dishes featuring locally grown vegetables and pastured meat, artisan baked goods, and desserts made by Ucross Chef Jackie Vitale and the Ucross culinary team.