The mission of the Charles Redd Center for Western Studies is to promote the study of the Intermountain West by sponsoring research, publication, teaching, and public programs in a variety of academic disciplines including history, geography, sociology, anthropology, politics, economics, literature, art, folklore, range science, forestry, and popular culture.

The Center was established in 1972 through a generous gift to Brigham Young University from Charles and Annaley Redd, prominent southeastern Utah ranchers and philanthropists, who also endowed the Lemuel Hardison Redd, Jr., Chair of Western History. Subsequent gifts from the Redd family and others have strengthened the endowment of the Chair and provided additional support for Center programs.

The John Topham and Susan Redd Butler Research Endowment was established in 1986 through the instrumentality of Karl D. Butler and funded by a substantial bequest from the estate of William Howard and Hazel Butler Peters, civic leaders of Glendale, California.

The Center also receives operating funds and staff support from the College of Family, Home and Social Sciences and the College of Humanities at Brigham Young University.