PRESERVING WESTERN HISTORY

Honoring the past while planning for the future of the West’s most historic dude ranches.

PROTECTING, RESTORING & PRESERVING

Our Mission

The Ranch Preservation Foundation works to protect, restore and preserve western ranches, while honoring the storied histories of each unique property to maintain the connection to the past and history of dude ranching.

Our Projects

Learn about our current and previous efforts to restore and preserve ranches in the American West, including the O.T.O. Dude Ranch and Rancho de la Osa.

How You Can Help

Your donation allows us to contribute to incredible places across the historic West, ensuring their enjoyment for centuries to come.

Dudes gather at the O.T.O. Dude Ranch in the 1930s in front of the Post Office.

HONORING STORIED PASTS

The Ranch Preservation Foundation works to curate the histories of western ranches so their connection to the past may be enjoyed for centuries to come through interpretive exhibits and guest programming with a connection to the ranch’s history.

Historic photo of dude ranch guests leaving the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.
The historic Rancho de la Osa with dude ranch guests in front of the Hacienda, restored by Ranch Preservation Foundation.
The historic interior of the Hacienda at Rancho de la Osa.

Ranch Preservation Foundation Projects

  • The historic Cantina at Rancho de la Osa, restored by Ranch Preservation Foundation.

    Rancho de la Osa Cantina


    The historic Cantina at Rancho de la Osa was built in 1722 as a Spanish mission outpost. Ranch Preservation Foundation has spearheaded restoration of the 300-year-old building.

  • Book cover of the Centennial of the Dude Ranchers' Association book project, 100 Years of Dude Ranching.

    DRA Centennial Book Project

    In celebration of the upcoming centennial of the Dude Ranchers’ Association, the DRA, Ranch Preservation Foundation and the Dude Ranch Foundation are collaborating on a book project to commemorate the 100th anniversary.

  • The interior of the billiard room at the O.T.O. Dude Ranch, restored by Ranch Preservation Foundation.

    O.T.O. Dude Ranch

    The O.T.O. is Montana’s first dude ranch and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It hosted dudes from the 1910s to 1930s and remained largely vacant for over 80 years until Ranch Preservation’s Yellowstone Pop-Up Ranch in the summers of 2022 and 2023, raising over $48,000 for the ranch’s preservation.

Our Projects