 After nearly a year of major renovations, Ucross Foundation, the acclaimed artist residency program, will celebrate the reopening of the 144-year-old Big Red Ranch House with a public ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Tuesday, June 16, at 5 p.m. The evening includes the opening of the Big Red Showcase exhibition featuring Sheridan artist Arin Waddell, and a ticketed summer picnic with live music will follow. “The Big Red Ranch House is the beating heart of Ucross,” said Caitlin Addlesperger, Ucross President and Executive Director. “As the home of staff offices, it’s the first stop for artists, locals, and tourists. We are deeply grateful to Armand and Mary Brachman for this generous gift, which saved this historic building and supported the sustainability of our nonprofit.” BRIEF RANCH HOUSE HISTORY The Big Red Ranch House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1882 as the high-end headquarters for the Pratt & Ferris Cattle Company. Among the house’s many modern features was a bathroom with hot and cold running water. A copper-lined wooden tank in the attic furnished the water pressure. Throughout its history, the building served as a home for ranching families, a fourth-class post office, and an overnight stagecoach stop. A century later, Ucross Founder Raymond Plank purchased the property and surrounding ranchland. The abandoned building had been taken 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.  SAVING THE RANCH HOUSE While the Big Red Ranch House had been maintained over the decades, the building was suffering substantial structural issues, from roof to foundation, by 2024. Ucross Trustee Armand Brachman and his wife, Mary Brachman (nee Stein), understood the significance of the building and its history. Mary’s father, Victor Stein, was a founding Trustee of Ucross; both Armand and Mary were present during the 1982 renovation. The Brachmans generously donated $1.41 million to cover the complete renovation. “Our goal was to make the Ranch House last another 100 years, while upholding its profile and character,” Armand Brachman said. “Now, this important piece of history is preserved, and the building is functional and safe for artists, visitors, and staff.” From July 2025 to May 2026, Ucross worked with QC10 Architects and In-Yarak Construction to complete the renovation, while maintaining the building’s designation on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to foundational bolstering, the exterior required a new roof, gutters, downspouts, siding, trim, and porches. Interior renovations included updated floors, walls, HVAC system, plumbing, electrical systems, restrooms, and kitchen. The Brachmans’ generous gift also included updated furnishings with a focus on period-appropriate pieces that recall the 1880s. Working with QC10 Architects, Ucross Business Director Heather Heath led the design.  SHOWCASING A WYOMING ARTIST New to the Ranch House will be the Big Red Showcase, a rotating spotlight on Ucross alumni that began in the Ucross Art Gallery in 2025. The inaugural artist featured will be Arin Waddell of Sheridan, Wyoming. “When we were planning this exhibition, Arin immediately came to mind,” said Ucross Program Director Tawni Shuler. “Her artwork is colorful, vibrant and whimsical, portraying our intimate relationship to our most treasured keepsakes — nature and our wild creatures. We’re thrilled to feature her in the first Big Red Showcase in the Ranch House.” Born in Detroit, Michigan, Waddell was raised on a Black Angus cattle ranch west of Billings, Montana. Waddell is a two-time artist-in-residence at Ucross and now serves on the Board of Trustees. Her artwork will be on view at the Ranch House through June 15, 2027. The Big Red Showcase is sponsored in part by a grant from the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, a program of the Department of State Parks, and Cultural Resources, as well as QC10 Architects and the Big Red Society. RIBBON-CUTTING AND OPEN HOUSE Ucross invites the community to explore the historic Ranch House and Waddell’s artwork at an open house on Tuesday, June 16, at 5 p.m. The festivities will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, trustee remarks, and an artist talk by Arin Waddell. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public. “Come celebrate Ucross, our history and our artists,” Addlesperger said. “Our board of trustees and staff have been working hard — we all look forward to reopening our doors to our community.” Following the open house, Ucross will offer a ticketed summer picnic with live music featuring beloved local musician and former Ucross artist-in-residence Dave Munsick at 6:30 p.m. Learn more and reserve your spot for the Summer Picnic at Big Red here. View photo gallery below. Comments are closed.
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