Memorabilia

Item Description

This rustic "Ridgewood Ranch, Home of Seabiscuit" shadow box set consists of two 9" x 9" shadow boxes handcrafted from Redwood boards removed from Seabiscuit's stud barn during restoration, each featuring the Howard "H" quarter circle brand.

But the real prize is the included limited edition signed print of the 2010 Donna Stropes original watercolor painting of the stud bard at Ridgewood Ranch, Seabiscuit Barn at Ridgewood Ranch (10 1/4" x 5 3/4", unframed), part of her Ridgewood Ranch series.

"Shortly after our move to Willits I became acquainted with Howard Hospital. My mother was here for a visit, and had fallen and broken her wrist just before coming. Enter Dr. Bowen and the history displayed down in the hallway. A few years later, my mother was hospitalized with pneumonia. During that time, it was my first meeting with the Howard Foundation Hospital fundraising committee, where I was asked to be Auction Chair for the 2007 Signature event. With lots of art auctions experience, I realized this is something I can do to help raise funds for a new much-needed hospital for this area.

"It seemed the event was always intertwined with Seabiscuit in some way. Last year when I visited the Ranch to look at newspaper articles, artwork, photos of the Howard family and items to be used for a Seabiscuit memory box and couple of other framed memorabilia items for the auction. In doing so I noticed how peaceful the surroundings were. This year I have the honor to create a watercolor trying to evoke a feeling for a place steeped in rich history, especially when that history includes an animal loved by so many. Even the people who shared his life seem bigger than life. While taking my photos for the painting, I was thinking oak trees at first. Then the minute I saw that beautiful, weathered old Mare Barn, surrounded by beautiful old oak trees, I felt this needs to be my subject! I'm drawn to it. As I did my sketching of a study, I thought someday they will get this place all fixed up, but in a deeper sense, it's the way it looks now that draws me to it all those little holes in the back wall...woodpeckers? The old metal horseshoe maker, even the smell of an old barn, it's all still there."

"Notice the Rotary plaque, installed after the Willits Rotary Club completed many hours of labor and donations to restore the barn to its former glory."

Item Special Note

Local pick up, or winner pays shipping and insurance. Unless delivered outside California, 7.375% sales tax will be added to purchase price.