We're Kicking Off the
Cadwell Building Project!
Cadwell Building Project
Help Us
Preserve Local History!
The Kittitas County Historical Society, Inc. recognizes the importance of collecting, preserving, and sharing the history, heritage, and culture of our community and has done so since 1961. As a private nonprofit charitable organization, we rely on the generous donations, memberships, investment income, and bequests to make what we do possible. We provide high-quality exhibits and programs for all attendees to enjoy, providing a reflection of our rich and diverse, collective history. After almost 50 years at home in the Cadwell Building (a brick structure built after the Great Ellensburg Fire of July 4, 1889), the exterior brick masonry is in need of repair in multiple areas. Other repairs have been identified that are vital to the long-term health of the structure and need to be implemented so that we can continue collecting, preserving, and sharing the history, heritage, and culture of Kittitas County now and into the future.
Project Summary
The Kittitas County Historical Museum is executing repairs, upgrades, and improvements to the Cadwell Building, as funding becomes available, and in a manner that minimizes disruption of normal building operations.
The first phase (Phase 1) will focus on the highest priority items recommended by Marc Brown Architecture & Design and Swenson Say Fagét, who both compiled a Building Conditions Assessment of the Cadwell Building (in Feb 2022) and help to guide the project throughout its construction phase. With the exterior brick masonry as the priority, work will focus primarily on re-pointing several areas of damaged exterior mortar joints and repairing damaged brick along the Cadwell Building walls, including around window and door openings, and at the parapets (the portion of the walls that go above the roof line).
The chimney on the southeast corner of the Cadwell Building will be removed as it is collapsing (and the brick will be salvaged for use in re-pointing). An electrical wire on the West Addition URM parapet will be relocated and the over-height parapet braced. Storefronts will be repaired and repainted, and infiltration reduction measures will be implemented to improve energy efficiency.
Issues affecting facility operations with the potential for damage would be addressed, such as roof repair; and remove, repair, and reinstall damaged parapet caps and repair and brace parapets on Cadwell Building, East Addition, and West Addition.
Additional phases will address items such as wall anchorage, seismic stabilization, a diaphragm overlay, energy efficiency upgrades, and HVAC system upgrades. Phases may be adjusted depending on the nature of the work and priorities as they are addressed.
Project Summary
The Kittitas County Historical Museum is executing repairs, upgrades, and improvements to the Cadwell Building, as funding becomes available, and in a manner that minimizes disruption of normal building operations.
The first phase (Phase 1) will focus on the highest priority items recommended by Marc Brown Architecture & Design and Swenson Say Fagét, who both compiled a Building Conditions Assessment of the Cadwell Building (in Feb 2022) and help to guide the project throughout its construction phase. With the exterior brick masonry as the priority, work will focus primarily on re-pointing several areas of damaged exterior mortar joints and repairing damaged brick along the Cadwell Building walls, including around window and door openings, and at the parapets (the portion of the walls that go above the roof line).
The chimney on the southeast corner of the Cadwell Building will be removed as it is collapsing (and the brick will be salvaged for use in re-pointing). An electrical wire on the West Addition URM parapet will be relocated and the over-height parapet braced. Storefronts will be repaired and repainted, and infiltration reduction measures will be implemented to improve energy efficiency.
Issues affecting facility operations with the potential for damage would be addressed, such as roof repair; and remove, repair, and reinstall damaged parapet caps and repair and brace parapets on Cadwell Building, East Addition, and West Addition.
Additional phases will address items such as wall anchorage, seismic stabilization, a diaphragm overlay, energy efficiency upgrades, and HVAC system upgrades. Phases may be adjusted depending on the nature of the work and priorities as they are addressed.
Project History
The Cadwell Building was constructed in 1889 and has been home to numerous businesses over the years, ranging from dry goods and grocers to car dealerships and furniture stores. In 1974, the primary two-story brick structure was purchased by the Kittitas County Historical Society, Inc. which encompassed the first floor where the Museum would be housed and the second floor housing the Cadwell Apartments.
In the late 1970s, a restoration was undertaken to return the front façade back to its 1900s appearance with original cast iron columns, renovated storefronts, and replica stained glass windows (but other rehabilitation was not completed at that time). From this time, it became the recognized cornerstone of the Downtown Ellensburg Historic District, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It is also on the Washington Heritage Register and on the local Ellensburg Landmarks Register.
Over the years, the Historical Society purchased the adjoining buildings (to the west and to the east). Those structures are referred to in the Cadwell Building Project as the East Addition and West Addition (or by Building number) as they were not originally designed or constructed as intentional additions to the Cadwell Building. They were combined with the Cadwell Building in a remodel of the original museum facility in 1999-2000. Today, the Museum encompasses nearly 9,000 square feet of public exhibit space.
The Historical Society has been able to address repairs on an as-needed basis, doing several reactive and proactive repairs, keeping the building in an overall good condition. But the exterior brick masonry remains a high priority based on its rapid rate of failure.
Scope of Project
The Kittitas County Historical Society, Inc. will be working with Pioneer Masonry Restoration Company, Inc., Marc Brown Architecture & Design, Swenson Say Fagét, Ellensburg Solar, and many others to address the work of Phase 1 of the KCHM Structural Renovation and Improvements Project.
This work will address the needed repairs and rehabilitation of a 134-year old building which focuses on repairs that necessary to the long-term health of the structure and maintaining access to local history. This focuses on re-pointing damaged exterior mortar joins and brick along with repainting of all exterior walls; removal of a non-character defining chimney and reuse of the brick in the re-pointing; relocation of an electrical wire and bracing of the parapet; and repair of storefronts and parapets.
Adding Community Value
The Kittitas County Historical Society, Inc. continues to collect, preserve, and share the history, heritage, and culture of Kittitas County. The organization remains passionate and dedicated to telling a complete and diverse history of the people, places, events, and activities that shape our shared history through exhibits and programs with thousands of visitors yearly. We partner with organizations across a broad spectrum, from school groups and adult organizations to environmental education groups to local hotels. We provide an avenue for individuals to learn more about local history, to dig deeper and find out about the history that is both known and that remains to be rediscovered — whether they are researchers, students, or a world-traveling visitor. Our Museum is our community’s museum, and it is only with your support that we are able to do this! Because, without a building, we would not have a space to make our local history accessible to those who wish to visit, experience, and explore Kittitas County’s rich history.
Project Phase 1 Moves Forward!
With all funding in hand for Phase 1 of the KCHM Renovation & Structural Improvements project, the project is fully underway! And we cannot thank our partners enough for making this project possible!!
Grant funding for Phase 1 was received through three wonderful resources:
- Heritage Capital Projects grant (Washington State Legislature biennium 2023-2025, administered by the Washington State Historical Society)
- County of Kittitas American Rescue Plan Act grant
- 2023 City of Ellensburg Historic Preservation grant
The Kittitas County Historical Society Foundation provided a Project Funding Allocation for the remainder of Phase 1. The Foundation is a separate 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organization which has a mission to receive contributions and engage in fund raising activities in order to provide funds that are to be used in aiding the Kittitas County Historical Society, Inc. If you are interested in contributing to the project or making a long-term gift to the Foundation, please contact us.
The project began with a Cadwell Building Project Kick-Off Party on August 16th. Project work is set to begin by Pioneer Masonry in the coming days.
Phase 1 of the KCHM Renovation & Structural Improvements project must reach completion on or before June 30, 2025.
Help Support the Cadwell Building Project!
We can still use your support!
While Phase 1 of the project is underway, every dollar helps the project just that much more! Like with any old structure, there may be the unexpected and unanticipated costs. Your help can help alleviate some of that. Consider making a donation toward the project, to help any part of the current phase — or a future part of the project.
Phase 2 Fundraising is UNDERWAY!
As we look to the future, we know our work is only beginning.
Once our building is stable and secure, there is so much more to be done with the Cadwell Building. The Building Conditions Assessment which guides the KCHM Renovation & Structural Improvements project calls for seismic stabilization, which as un-reinforced masonry (URM) building in a seismically active area is an important project for us. And with housing thousands of historically important and irreplaceable items, we cannot have anything happen to our building.
From there, we look toward necessary interior infrastructural improvements, systems upgrades like air conditioning, electrical systems, security systems — all necessary for museum preservation standards — along with ADA upgrades, exhibit improvements, creation of additional collections processing space and kitchen space, and so much more.
We anticipate applying for another Heritage Capital Projects grant in the next application round, but as it is a 2:1 matching grant (with us being responsible for the two-thirds), we are looking to you for support. Without it, we are not certain how long it will take to get the critical upgrades needed. Consider making a financial gift or helping support the project in other ways (like volunteering, supporting our events, or even getting the word out!). Your support is so important to what we do, and we are so grateful to you for it for any part of the project. And all financial donations are tax-deductible.
Want to learn more about how you can get involved or how you can contribute? Consider clicking one of the buttons below.
