May 5, 2024
My nomination of the Chitina “emporium” building was accepted on the state top 10 (11) endangered historic buildings list. I was successful in getting it listed for the first time last year, but not securing a grant for stabilization work – I’ll try again in June.
Following is the full announcement by Preservation Alaska. The Emporium is the fourth property in the video.
Preservation Alaska is pleased to announce the 2024 Most Endangered Historic Properties list. This year, there are eleven historic properties instead of our usual ten historic properties. This is only the second time we have added a property to the list.
These historic properties are considered the most endangered historic properties around the state. The number one endangered property is the Wolf Creek Boatworks located on Prince of Wales Island in SE Alaska. It is in danger of being lost due to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Fund’s intention of logging off over 1500 acres of trees. The congressional order giving the land to the Trust requires that the historic boatworks to be demolished.
There are similar dangers to the other properties on this list that place them in danger of being lost forever. Preservation Alaska supports saving these buildings or properties as well as others that are in danger that were not listed. We must take care of our history.
This annual list is intended to bring public awareness to Alaska’s threatened historic properties. Heightened awareness often leads to increased support for the conservation of endangered historic properties, which are assets important to tourism, economic development, and the cultural heritage of Alaska. Alaska Association for Historic Preservation (now rebranded as Preservation Alaska) has been identifying the Most Endangered Historic Properties since 1991 – 33 years.
The full text and photographs of each nomination can be found on our website at https://alaskapreservation.org
At the Programs tab.
The Most Endangered Grant Program funds hands-on preservation work on endangered properties serving as seed money to leverage funding from other sources. One matching grant is awarded each year. The program calls attention to threatened properties that define our great state, the people that live here, and the heritage we share.
The nominations for this program were submitted by individuals and organizations living throughout Alaska and vetted through the organization’s review committee.
Preservation Alaska is working on an endowment fund to be able to award larger grants or more than one grant each year. Donations for the grant program are welcome. The 2024 Sponsors include: Nvision Architecture, Kuchar Construction, LLC, HZA Engineering Solutions, BBFM Engineers, Inc. and Northwind Architecture and Design.
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