Colorado Dearfield Site Received New Federal Restoration Grant
The National Park Service awarded roughly $703,000 to help preserve the historic Black homesteading settlement.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in African-American
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The National Park Service recently awarded a grant of approximately $703,000 to the University of Northern Colorado to support the preservation of the historic Dearfield site. This funding contributes to ongoing efforts to restore the former Black homesteading settlement in Weld County.
Why it matters
Restoration work aims to convert the site into a public museum, ensuring the history of the largest Black homesteading settlement in Colorado is preserved for future generations. The project relies on a mix of federal grants and private donations to transform the original settlement structures.
The National Park Service has contributed significantly to the $2.8 million raised for Dearfield over three decades, including prior grants of $498,000 in 2021 and $745,000 in 2024. The site was originally established as a settlement in 1910.
The players
O.T. Jackson
He was the founder of the Dearfield homesteading settlement who moved to the area in 1910.
Black American West Museum
This organization owns the land at the Dearfield site and oversees its historical preservation.
National Park Service
This federal agency manages national historic sites and has provided significant funding for the Dearfield restoration.
Joe Biden
The current President of the United States who signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
University of Northern Colorado
This institution is a recipient of the latest preservation grant for the historic site.
The details
Volunteers recently gathered at the Dearfield site during the 18th annual Dearfield Day to continue site maintenance, including the removal of lumber from the home of founder O.T. Jackson. Plans involve repurposing the old filling station into a visitors center as part of the broader effort to open the location to the public in four to five years.
Timeline
The Dearfield settlement was established in 1910.
The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
The National Park Service awarded a $498,000 grant in 2021.
The National Park Service awarded a $745,000 grant in 2024.
The 18th annual Dearfield Day work event occurred on October 3, 2026.
Culture Shift
The restoration of Dearfield marks a broader shift in cultural preservation, moving from the recognition of established monuments to the reclamation of marginalized history. This project mirrors a growing national trend of institutional support for preserving sites that represent the diverse legacy of the American West.
Residents in Colorado may see increased opportunities to visit the site as restoration efforts move toward completion in the next four to five years. Ongoing volunteer events like Dearfield Day provide ways for community members to participate directly in the preservation process.
The takeaway
Preserving historic sites like Dearfield ensures that the diverse narratives of frontier history remain accessible to the public. Residents interested in local history can support these efforts by participating in volunteer work days or engaging with the Black American West Museum.
Further reading
For more on the history of Black communities in the region, visit the African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broomfield Enterprise.
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Should the government prioritize funding the preservation of historical minority homesteading sites?
