In the last two years, 2022 and 2023, Cinnamon Schiek has been successful in writing and receiving Grants from various groups and agencies.  The first grant from the Questors organization was for the addition of lattice work all around the wrap around porches on the Acadia.  This is like what was originally in place.  Kevin Armbrust took on and completed this project.  

The second Grant was acquired with matching funds from the OHS.  This project was for a new storage barn unit to sit on the tack room property where the old barn was originally.  This Grant also included funds for a split unit air conditioner and heater for the great meeting room.  The American Flag Gang, which consists of Kevin Armbrust, John Medley, Dale Suter and Michael Opiniski, worked on the storage project and with a contractor on the a/c great room project.  The Gang also installed a new air conditioner/heating unit for the administrative office.

The third grant was for a new projection screen and projector for great meeting room and our historical speaker events.  Thanks to Justin Palmer and Ed Larsen for installing the screen.

Nancy Patten Land Donation

The Oracle Historical Society was fortunate to have Nancy Patten gift a portion of her property to OHS in 2013.  This property has an old adobe building that was once the tack room for the corrals and stables that served the Acadia Ranch property, which was owned by the Trowbridge family in the early 1920s. Ben and Nancy Patten at one time were caretakers for the Triangle L Ranch that was also owned by the Trowbridge family.  In 1963, Katherine Trowbridge gave the Pattens three acres which included the tack room.  OHS is extremely grateful to Nancy for her kindness and generosity.

Trowbridge Tack Room Project

The Tack Room property is east of and adjacent to the Acadia Ranch Museum.  Since the property was gifted to the museum by Nancy (Ray) Patten, the approximate 13,000 SF piece of land was fenced and a new gate to Mt. Lemmon Road was installed.  The site has been cleaned of old debris and many of the trees have been trimmed and brush hauled away.  The old adobe building has been measured and photographed for historical records and documentation.  OHS arecieved a grant from the Arizona Historical Society to fund stabilization and restoration of the building.  Restoration priorities included replacing a good portion of the rafters and roof supports, repairing doors and door frames, window repair, removing and replacing the stucco on the old adobe walls and diverting the drainage around the building.

Ice House Restoration

With a generous grant from the Sonoran Searchers Chapter of The Questers International, OHS was able to undertake the restoration of the Acadia Ranch Ice House, a historic structure that once boasted 4-foot-thick adobe walls, which had “melted” over time. Under the direction of architectural preservationist Chuck Sternberg, the work was completed in the spring of 2013. During regular museum hours or by appointment, visitors may tour the exterior and interior of this fascinating restored building and exhibit. Please call (520) 896-9609 to schedule an appointment.

Acadia Ranch Renovations

The intensive efforts of Chuck Sternberg and volunteers allowed the Society to undertake major renovations to the Acadia Ranch Museum’s historic structure. Added to the Acadia was a replica of the historic porch railing. In 2011, both the kitchen and adjoining dining area were restored and the Acadia’s building trim repaired and repainted in the original historic forest green. In 2009, the Acadia Great Room was renovated and the original fir floor uncovered, repaired and refurbished.

Other past efforts include major roof repairs and the restoration of the Acadia Bath House, including its exterior adobe walls and chimney. This work was funded by an $8,000 grant awarded by the Southwestern Foundation in 2005. In addition, water run-off has been diverted to mitigate impact on the exterior structure and other important steps have been taken to ensure that the property’s historic stone walls are preserved.

Collections & Archives Updates

In 2010, OHS received a $2,000 grant from the Arizona Historical Society to purchase historically appropriate materials and containers that ensure the proper storage and preservation of OHS historic artifacts, documents and photographs.

Other recent efforts include the updating and weatherproofing of the collections storage facility, made possible by an Arizona Historical Society grant, and the acquisition of state-of-the-art software and computer on which to house the digital archives, which was underwritten by the Sonoran Searchers of Questers. The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records and Arizona Historical Records Advisory Board awarded OHS a grant to purchase two locking steel cabinets that securely store historically significant documents from the OHS collections.