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Cadwell Building Project
Help Us Preserve the Cadwell Building and Our History
Since 1961, the Kittitas County Historical Society, Inc. has been dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the rich history and heritage of Kittitas County. As a private nonprofit 501(c)3, we rely on the generosity of our community—through donations, memberships, and bequests—to keep this mission alive.
Now, as we celebrate 50 years in our home at the historic Cadwell Building, we are undertaking vital renovations and structural improvements. These updates are essential to ensure the building’s long-term health and to allow us to continue caring for the artifacts entrusted to us, creating engaging exhibits, and sharing local stories for generations to come.
Join us in preserving our past and building our future. Donate today!
The Cadwell Building Project: Preserving Our Home for the Future
The KCHM Renovation & Structural Improvements Project is a multi-phase effort to repair and strengthen the historic Cadwell Building, home of the Kittitas County Historical Museum for over 50 years.
We are proud to share that Phase 1 (August 2023–May 2024) was successfully completed, restoring the building’s exterior brick masonry, storefronts, and tinwork.
We are also thrilled to share that Phase 1.5 Re-Roof (September 2024–June 2025) has now been completed! This major effort replaced the Cadwell Building’s roof, repaired damaged roof elements, upgraded the drainage system, and completed vital seismic retrofitting to ensure the building’s long-term stability.
Now, we’re excited to announce funding for Phase 1.5 Electrical! Thanks to Heritage Capital Project grant funding approved by the Washington State Legislature and administered by the Washington State Historical Society, we will move forward with major electrical upgrades (October 2025–June 2027). This work will improve safety, increase energy efficiency, and prepare the building for future system updates—like air-conditioning!
Your support is vital. While we’ve secured $240,000, we still need to raise an additional $40,000 to complete this critical work.
Help us finish Phase 1.5 and preserve the Cadwell Building for generations to come. Donate today!
Cadwell Building Renovation Project
The Kittitas County Historical Museum’s home—the historic Cadwell Building—has been undergoing vital repairs and upgrades.
✅ Phase 1 (Aug 2023–May 2024) restored the exterior brick masonry, storefronts, and tinwork.
✅ Phase 1.5 Re-Roof (Sept 2024–June 2025) replaced the roof, repaired damaged elements, upgraded drainage, and added critical seismic retrofitting.
Now we’re moving forward with Phase 1.5 Electrical (Oct 2025–June 2027) thanks to state grant funding! These major electrical upgrades will improve safety, increase energy efficiency, and prepare the building for future improvements—like air-conditioning.
We still need your help. While $240,000 is secured, we must raise $40,000 more to complete this phase.
Help us finish Phase 1.5 and protect the Cadwell Building.
Project History
Since acquiring the Cadwell Building in 1974, the Kittitas County Historical Society has dedicated itself to preserving and improving this historic landmark. Built in 1889 after the Great Ellensburgh Fire, the two-story building is notable for its soft Ellensburg brick and unique “horseshoe” windows. Over the years, it has housed a variety of businesses before becoming the Museum’s permanent home in 1975.
The Society also acquired adjoining structures and the second-floor apartments, expanding the Museum footprint to nearly 9,000 square feet through renovations completed in 1999–2000.
In the late 1970s, efforts began to restore the building’s façade to its early 20th-century appearance, including reconstructing storefronts and stained glass windows, and removing later paint to reveal the historic brick red color.
Recognized as a cornerstone of the Downtown Ellensburg Historic District and listed on multiple historic registers, the Cadwell Building requires ongoing maintenance to preserve its integrity.
Following a 2022 Building Conditions Assessment, the Cadwell Building Renovation & Structural Improvements Project was launched to address decades of deferred repairs. Phase 1, completed in 2024, focused on exterior brick masonry, storefront restoration, and energy efficiency upgrades. Future phases will tackle seismic retrofitting, system improvements, and other critical needs to ensure the building remains a vibrant community asset.
Scope of Project
Building on earlier progress, Phase 1.5 of the Cadwell Building Renovation Project is advancing steadily.
The roof portion, completed between September 2024 and June 2025, replaced the aging roof on the two-story Cadwell Building, repaired damaged or missing roof elements, and upgraded the gutter system. This work also included vital seismic retrofitting to better secure the roof to the unreinforced masonry walls and install a diaphragm overlay, improving the building’s structural safety. This phase was completed in partnership with Columbia Plateau Roofing, Catlin Electric, Pioneer Masonry Restoration Company, and other local experts.
Next, the electrical upgrades are planned for October 2025 through June 2027, contingent on state funding through the highly competitive Heritage Capital Projects grant program. This phase will address fire safety risks, increase electrical capacity for future HVAC systems, and prepare the building for upcoming energy efficiency code requirements, including natural gas reduction. We deeply appreciate the support of Catlin Electric, the City of Ellensburg, Reecer Creek Excavation, and other partners.
In September 2024, the project was ranked 4th out of 20 finalists by the Washington State Office of Financial Management and awarded full funding by the Washington State Legislature—highlighting the importance of preserving this treasured landmark.
These phased improvements ensure the Cadwell Building remains a safe, efficient, and vibrant home for the Museum’s mission well into the future.
Project History & Phase 1 Completion
Phase 1 of the Cadwell Building Renovation Project was successfully completed in early summer 2024, following work that began in August 2023. This critical phase focused on essential repairs and rehabilitation to preserve the long-term health of the historic 1889 structure and maintain public access to our local history.
Key accomplishments of Phase 1 include:
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Re-pointing damaged exterior mortar joints and bricks
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Repainting all exterior walls with protective coatings
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Removal of a non-character-defining chimney, with bricks carefully salvaged and reused in masonry repairs
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Relocation of an electrical wire and bracing of the parapet for added stability
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Repair of storefronts and parapets to restore historic character
We are deeply thankful to our project partners who made this possible, including Pioneer Masonry Restoration Company, Inc., Marc Brown Architecture & Design, Swenson Say Fagét, Catlin Electric, the City of Ellensburg, Ellensburg Solar, Columbia Plateau Roofing, and others.
Phase 1 was funded through generous support from:
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Heritage Capital Projects grant (Washington State Legislature biennium 2023-2025, administered by the Washington State Historical Society)
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County of Kittitas American Rescue Plan Act grant
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2023 City of Ellensburg Historic Preservation grant
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Kittitas County Historical Society Foundation
This strong foundation enables us to confidently move forward with subsequent phases of the project, continuing to preserve this treasured landmark.
Community Value – Why This Project Matters
The Kittitas County Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the history and culture of Kittitas County. Each year, thousands of visitors engage with exhibits and programs that tell the complete and diverse stories of the people, places, and events that shape our community.
We proudly partner with schools, civic groups, environmental organizations, local businesses, and tourism partners to create meaningful opportunities for learning and connection. Whether you’re a student, a researcher, or a first-time visitor, the Museum is the place to explore the history that defines our county.
But this work is only possible because we have a building—a home where history can be experienced firsthand. Preserving and strengthening the Cadwell Building ensures we can continue to provide access to local history for generations to come.
Your support safeguards the Museum’s mission, strengthens community partnerships, and keeps Kittitas County’s history alive.
Why Your Support Matters
The Cadwell Building is the Museum’s home—and preserving it is essential to keeping Kittitas County’s history accessible to all. The work to repair, upgrade, and improve this 135-year-old building ensures the safety of our collections and the future of our programs.
Phase 1.5 addresses critical electrical upgrades (October 2025–June 2027), but as with any historic structure, unexpected costs are likely. Future phases will include seismic stabilization, energy efficiency improvements (fire/security, HVAC), ADA accessibility, exhibit upgrades, and expanded collections space—all vital for protecting more than 30,000 irreplaceable artifacts of Kittitas County history.
We are actively seeking grant funding, but large grants like the Heritage Capital Projects fund require a 2:1 match, meaning every community dollar raised is crucial.
Here’s how you can help:
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Make a financial gift
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Volunteer your time or skills
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Support and attend Museum events
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Share the project with your network
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Advocate for the Heritage Capital Projects fund with your state legislators
Together, we can secure the Cadwell Building and the Museum’s mission for the next 50 years and beyond.
Your support makes this possible. Donate today!
All financial donations are tax-deductible.
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