Index
In the last 20 years businesses and individuals
have poured a staggering 16 billion into restoration.
There was design behind the madness. As we are
maturing as a nation our historic sites become
visual reminders--living history of days past.
Preserving our built environment retains our town's
character, makes it different from all others: unique.
No wonder then that heritage tourism has jumped
dramatically and now is the third most
popular type of family vacation in America.
No wonder that Fairbanks wants to save its town,
also as a town appreciative of its history as a
transportation hub, site of a university and, yes,
as a garden city. With longer days our thoughts turn
to spring, greenhouses and plants. It should not
surprise us then that few were the early
homeowners who did not plant gardens--vegetables
to feed the family, but also sweet peas and zinnias,
roses and petunias.
Housewives wrote urgent letters to merchants
and families to send the precious seeds. Newcomers
tucked packages of seeds amongst household goods.
There is no better way to refurbish our neighborhoods,
to bring out the sparkle, the excitement, the hope for
a better future than to see our old historic houses
filled with families, young and old, to see a new
coat of paint on a gold rush period building--to see a log
cabin trued up and repaired, surrounded by neat garden
plots and planters.
There is nothing more depressing than historic
building gone to ruin, a log cabin in shambles.
It is time to start thinking ahead, and
conscientiously turn our historic neighborhoods
into places of price; each with its own unique
identity.
ASHRAB is a state board which was created under the guidelines
of the National Historical Publications and Records
Commission. While one of its main functions is to
review grant proposals submitted to the NHPRC from
applicants in Alaska, its activities are more extensive
and include monitoring and analyzing the status of
historical records preservation in the state.
The Alaska State Archivist is the monitor of the board and is
the liaison between ASHRAB and NHPRC.
To focus attention on endangered properties in the
Tanana Valley, the Tanana-Yukon Historical Society
is going to identify the area's most endangered historic
properties during Historic Preservation Week each May.
Become active in the nominating process by assisting
the Society in identifying historic properties that are
endangered. Feel free to photocopy the nomination
form if you wish to list more than one property.
Please return the form to the Tanana-Yukon Historical
Society by March 1996.
The President's Corner
Perhaps it is now time to smell the roses,
to look at our immediate environment and to save
a little bit of the past for future generations.
Local organizations and individuals are rallying
as never before to save our heritage, our precious
places that make up our history.
Fairbanks at the heart of the "Last Frontier"
is admittedly a latecomer to the historic
preservation movement. It is time to become
involved and follow the trend set by regions with
a longer history.
Newsmakers
Gretchen Lake and Renee Blahuta
have been appointed by Governor Tony Knowles to the
Alaska State Historical Records Advisory Board. Renee
is serving her second term on ASHRAB. Other
members of ASHRAB include Judy Bittner and John F.
Johnson of Anchorage, Chris R. Campbell of Ketchikan,
Gaylin Fuller of Barrow, John Kinney, Martha Stevens
and John Stewart of Juneau.
Endangered Historic Properties
Everywhere historic properties are in danger of being lost.
A historic building might be abandoned, stand vacant too long,
and its roof and foundation be severely damaged.
A historic waterfront can be threatened by urban renewal
efforts. A streetscape shows more vacant buildings as
merchants move to outlying areas. A neighborhood slowly
decays.
A city block stands in the way of new development.
There are many reasons why historic properties
become endangered.
Tanana-Yukon Historical Society
Board Meeting Agenda
Date: Tuesday, March 19, 1996
Time: 6 pm
Place: Pioneer Hall, Alaskaland