Local nonprofit to purchase historic Clydesdale farm

Local group enters escrow on Mission Bell property; major fundraising still needed|

Blue Wing Adobe Trust Board Members

Patricia Cullinan

(President of Sonoma Valley Historical Society and contractor)

Ned Forrest

(Architect who specializes in historic restorations)

David Gould

(Retired California State Parks District superintendent)

Will Honeybourne

(Investment professional who restored the Carriger property)

Kelso Barnett

(Real estate developer, past Design Review commissioner and current Planning commissioner)

www.bluewingadobetrust.org

An all-volunteer nonprofit organization of local residents has entered escrow to acquire the historic Mission Bell Farm on East Spain Street. It’s a move the board members of the nascent group, the Blue Wing Adobe Trust, believe provides the best chance to preserve the iconic farmstead long owned by the Castagnasso family.

For nearly a century, five generations of Castagnassos have raised Clydesdales on the 2.72-acre downtown property. The iconic pasture at 196 E. Spain St. went on the market in early March for $7.6 million.

The property is one of the larger single residential lots in downtown Sonoma. According to its real estate listing, the property is actually four parcels, zoned “residential multiple” which could be developed to accommodate as many as 30 dwellings.

The property, which includes two barns, several outbuildings and the two-story white 1900 farmhouse at the corner of Second Street East, is owned by Deana Castagnasso and Tony Knecht.

According to the Castagnasso Clydesdale website, the extended Castagnasso family has bred the draft horses for five generations and they own and operate several Clydesdale horse farms across the United States.

“We are grateful to the Castagnasso family for being such loving stewards of this land and for trusting us to preserve their legacy on this property for future generations,” said Blue Wing Adobe Trust (BWAT) President Patricia Cullinan at the time of the announcement.

“Being available for sale on the open market meant the farm was in danger of being sold for development,” said Cullinan. “That’s why we’ve decided to lead a community effort to preserve the farm.”

Assembling the required funds for the preservation of Mission Bell Farm isn’t going to be easy. While the agreed-upon purchase price has not yet been disclosed, sources close to the deal confirm that it is close to its $7.6 million asking price.

BWAT board member Kelso Barnett described the transaction as “fair to both parties.”

Individual donors have stepped forward to provide the initial support needed to open escrow and move forward with the acquisition.

According to Barnett, however, crucial to the success of the preservation of the Mission Bell Farm will be securing financial support from both the Sonoma County Ag and Open Space District and the City of Sonoma. Blue Wing Adobe Trust is also working in partnership with the Sonoma Land Trust.

“We are hoping for support from local officials for our grant application, and we encourage the community to add their support by signing our online petition,” said Barnett. The petition can be found online at www.bluewingadobetrust.org.

Private donations will also be crucial.

“We hope the community joins us in our quest for funding to acquire and preserve this historic farm that is so vital to the special character and soul of Sonoma,” said BWAT boardmember Will Honeybourne.

“It is urgent that we get support from both local businesses as well as individuals who love Sonoma in order to close escrow by the end of the year,” said Barnett. “There is a short timeline to raise the funds necessary. This project will fail without additional funding from many members of our local community.”

Barnett noted that donations will be refunded if the project does not go through for any reason.

The property is an intact early-20th century working farm, the last of its kind in the City of Sonoma.

“(We believe that) the preservation of this unique farmstead is important to telling the story of Sonoma’s agricultural traditions,” said Cullinan. “It is both significant on its own and as a key component supporting all of the historic buildings, spaces and national and state landmarks in and near the Sonoma Plaza.”

“It is a symbol of Sonoma’s rustic authenticity,” said Cullinan in the announcement.

“Our intent is to conserve and repair only to the extent of permanent sustainability,” said BWAT boardmember Ned Forrest.

After those renovations, the Trust plans to continue the use of the property as a working farm, which will include horses, small livestock and fowl, with orchards and produce gardens. The property abuts in-town State Parks property which opens the possibility of synergies between tourism at the two sites.

“We would really like to figure out a way to keep Clydesdales on the land,” said Cullinan.

The farm will need to generate some income to cover its operating cost, and Barnett and Cullinan mentioned that the farmhouse could be rented or operated as a bed and breakfast or that the barn might board horses.

“This is such a wonderful opportunity to continue the legacy in Sonoma of preserving the significant historical sense and pastoral heritage of our town,” added BWAT boardmember David Gould. “To provide us all with the connection to our past is so important and will be even more so for future generations. We all need to work together to find ways to complete this acquisition.”

Blue Wing Adobe Trust is a nonprofit foundation formed in 2010 during efforts to steward the historic Blue Wing Inn, located across Spain Street from the farm. Cullinan explained that the organization has a broader goal of saving important historic buildings and properties.

According to the listing agent, Mark Stornetta, of Alain Pinel Realtors, the owner seeks to “consolidate multiple farming operations.” He declined to elaborate as to where that consolidation would occur. Chuck Lamp is the real estate agent representing the BWAT team.

Blue Wing Trust board members said that they hope their plan will give Sonomans an opportunity to unite behind a common cause.

“We’re hoping that this is a good news story that the community can get behind,” said Barnett. “Let’s come together to preserve an irreplaceable part of Sonoma’s heritage and identity.”

Added Cullinan: “The future is up to us.”

For information on how to get involved, visit www.bluewingadobetrust.org, email info@bluewingadobetrust.org, or call 732-4511.

Email Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.

Blue Wing Adobe Trust Board Members

Patricia Cullinan

(President of Sonoma Valley Historical Society and contractor)

Ned Forrest

(Architect who specializes in historic restorations)

David Gould

(Retired California State Parks District superintendent)

Will Honeybourne

(Investment professional who restored the Carriger property)

Kelso Barnett

(Real estate developer, past Design Review commissioner and current Planning commissioner)

www.bluewingadobetrust.org

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