The view from the location of Yucca House National Monument/NPS file

A 160-acre addition to Yucca House National Monument in southwestern Colorado is expected to help strengthen preservation of the site that protects an ancient community of around 600 rooms surrounding a life-giving spring that supported the area's agriculture and daily life.

The land acquisition, from Benard and Nancy Karwick, was orchestrated by the National Park Trust. It expands the monument by six times its previous size, to 194 acres.

“National Park Trust's dedication has played a crucial role in successfully expanding Yucca House National Monument. Their swift action and partnership in securing this 160-acre parcel have ensured the preservation of one of Colorado's most significant archaeological sites,” said Kayci Cook Collins, the National Park Service superintendent for both Mesa Verde National Park and Yucca House National Monument. "The land expands the boundary of Yucca House National Monument and helps ensure the ongoing preservation of one of Colorado's significant archeological sites.”

The site, which has not been excavated, was home to the Ancestral Puebloan people between 1150 and 1300 A.D. "To the untrained eye, the site is simply a cluster of rocky mounds. But to archaeologists or those with a bit of an imagination, it holds the secrets of a large and active farming community that existed centuries ago," the National Park Service says on the monument's website.

The land acquisition builds upon a legacy that dates to Yucca House’s original designation of 9 acres by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 and Hallie Ismay's mid-1990s' donation of 24 acres. Now that the southern extent of the Yucca House Pueblo is within the monument opportunities to improve visitor access to monument can be considered, and important wildlife habitats that depend on the same ancient spring that sustained the pueblo will be protected. 

“Nancy and I are honored to contribute to the expansion of Yucca House National Monument, a place of cultural and historical significance. Seeing this vision come to fruition with the support of the National Park Service and National Park Trust is deeply gratifying,” said Bernard Karwick. “The expansion protects an essential part of our history and ensures that future generations can appreciate and learn from this significant archaeological treasure. National Park Trust’s expertise and dedication in collaboration with the National Park Service to overcome the boundary challenges ensured that this important site is now protected for future generations.” 

Grace Lee, executive director of the National Park Trust, said the "very generous and meaningful donation by Bernard and Nancy Karwick was instrumental in expanding the park from 33 acres to nearly 200 acres. Thanks to this collaboration, the cultural legacy of the Ancestral Puebloan people is further safeguarded."