Once a quiet landmark overlooking Estes Park, the historic Stanley Home has entered a new chapter defined not only by preservation, but by community achievement.
In 2016, the Historic Stanley Home Foundation was formed with a clear mission: to preserve and operate the former home of F.O. and Flora Stanley as a cultural and educational center for the public. From the beginning, the effort was rooted in community support, careful planning, and a shared belief that the home should be saved and made accessible for future generations.
That vision quickly became a reality through a combination of private donations and financing. More than $1.2 million was contributed by supporters, and the Bank of Estes Park provided a $660,000 mortgage that allowed the Foundation to purchase the property, complete necessary code improvements, and cover early operational costs.
Since opening to the public in 2021, the Stanley Home has grown into a valued community resource that welcomes approximately 1,500 visitors each year, including educational tours for Estes Park third graders.
The site also hosts concerts, exhibits, and special events, while volunteers contribute more than a thousand hours annually to support operations.
Throughout its development, the Foundation has worked closely with the community and with the Town of Estes Park.
According to Board Vice President Randall Kampfe, the organization engaged neighbors early and often, meeting with residents and presenting plans to the Estes Park Planning Commission and the Estes Park Board of Trustees before receiving approval to operate the home as a house museum in a residential area. Those discussions resulted in agreed-upon stipulations designed to address community concerns and ensure responsible operations.
Preservation work at the home has been guided by BAS1S Architecture, which developed a five-phase master plan prioritizing stabilization before restoration. Phase 1 restoration work is underway through a partnership with History Colorado, funded by a grant program covering 75% of the project costs, with the Foundation providing the remaining 25%. The initial focus was on critical exterior repairs, including roof replacement and the rehabilitation of porches, railings, and gutters.
Phase 2 planning is underway and will focus on restoring the home’s historic exterior. This includes removing non-original vinyl siding, restoring original wood siding, repainting, and removing later additions such as enclosed porch structures, a non-original bay window, an office space, and a laundry room. Interior surfaces affected by these changes will also be restored.
As part of this work, the Foundation is planning to relocate the administrative offices currently located inside the home to the original Carriage House, providing staff with a dedicated workspace while preserving the historic integrity of the main structure.
On May 14, 2026, the Foundation reached a defining milestone. The remaining mortgage on the Stanley Home was paid in full through the success of the Mortgage Retirement Campaign and continued community support.
This achievement eliminates approximately $40,000 in annual principal and interest payments. Those funds can now be redirected toward preservation, restoration, educational programming, exhibits, tours, and community events. Leadership also noted that becoming debt-free strengthens the organization’s position when applying for grants and working with donors.
Becoming debt-free will allow the organization to focus more fully on long-term mission work, including continued restoration and expanded programming.
Looking ahead, additional phases of the master plan will continue interior restoration and further develop spaces for education, exhibits, and community engagement focused on the history of F.O. and Flora Stanley and early Estes Park.
The Foundation is also preparing for its annual Gala set for Saturday, August 29, at the Holiday Inn in Estes Park. The event will mark the organization’s 10th anniversary and the fifth year of the annual Gala, serving as both a celebration of accomplishments and a fundraiser for ongoing operations.