Palmer Historical Society Promote Preserve Protect

It’s time for History Night!

Palmer Historical Society throws open the door of HISTORY!

Join the fun at 7:00 pm on third Wednesdays September - November & January - May

@ the Palmer Public Library.

We begin the season on September 17 with Gregory Durocher. Gregory will present a program on “Rock hounding in the Valley.”

Gregory Durocher describes himself as a “Rock hound” since the age of five. Join us to learn Tools, Tips, and Suggestions for successful rock collecting ventures in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. As always our History Nights are free for everyone .

Join us for fun, food and door prizes!

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Goodbye, Hello Did you stop in and see us at the Wineck Barn during the Fair?

Many folks from around the United States and the World enjoyed the Wineck Barn this year. Every day special stories were shared by folks

that came to visit. Much thanks to Earl and Rebecca Wineck who stopped by a couple

of times and treated us to kettle corn – yummy! Big beefy thanks to Rita Loyer for sharing her calf – it was well loved!

The fireweed has gone to seed and the Alaska State Fair has come to a

close. You know what that means! Goodbye Summer -Hello Fall!

Colony House Museum

Season Review

Special Guest

“Rock hound”

Gregory Durocher

September 2014 Newsletter Volume XXX No. 8

Colony House Museum

316 E. Elmwood Ave. Palmer, AK 99645

907-745-1935

Palmer Historical Society PO Box 1935

Palmer, AK 99645

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COMING UP………. September 17 7:00 Palmer History Night Palmer Library October 15 7:00 Palmer History Night PHS Annual Meeting Palmer Library November 19 7:00 Palmer History Night Palmer Library December 13 10:00-6:00 Colony Christmas! Colony House Museum Open House

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Colony House Museum Season Review Barb Thomas The Fair is over, the leaves are changing to their wonderful fall colors, and the nights are getting colder bringing to an end another beautiful and busy Matanuska Valley summer. The end of summer also brings to a close the 2014 season at the Colony House Museum. We got any early start this season, as our elementary schools started coming the last week of April for their end of the school year field trips. This year more students reported they had read, or their class was reading, the delightful “Colony Kids” book written by Heather Lehe. We had many kids proudly announce that they are “Colony Kids”. Can you believe they are 5th generation Matanuska Colony descendants! The outhouse is still a favorite part of the tour followed by the kid’s bedroom with all the toys, games, and books. In the kids bedroom “Buddy” Campbell’s little (size 2) suit that was made by his mom, Theo Campbell, is becoming a favorite. Especially for those classes that get to meet and talk with “Buddy”. Throughout the summer it is our pleasure to welcome visitors from all over the United States and the World. We love sharing the story of the Matanuska Colony and the history of Palmer and Alaska. As docents we learn a lot of fun and interesting things about our visitors and the places they are from. If you run into Helen Riley, ask her about the diary farm in Vermont that milks their cows robotically. We didn’t see any visitors from Iceland, or anyone who said they had traveled to Alaska on Icelandic Airlines. I guess Alaska was more of a stopover for Icelandic Airlines than a destination. We had visitors from some new countries (at least to me) this season; Spain, Cambodia and Mexico.

We want to remind you we are open by appointment during the off season. So, if you have family or friends visiting and would like to bring them to the Colony House give us a call. Also don’t forget to come see us during the Colony Christmas open house!

And finally, we want to thank our wonderful volunteer docents as well as our other volunteers who help make our Colony home a welcoming place to visit!

A big THANK YOU to our wonderful volunteers who keep the Colony House Museum open to the public! Because of their heart for History many folks hear our Matanuska Colony Story ~

Our Docents and Tour Helpers~ Mary Ann Anderson Ruth Bailey Sharon Benson Arlene Fox Louise Bidondo Rita Loyer Joan & Bud Campbell Helen Riley Beth & Bo Cline Carol Strouse Lalle Contini Evie Mielke Dorothy Hubbard Gloria Okeson Maraley McMichael Willie Pederson Dave & Betty Mathews Gayle Rowland Le Ann Stephenson

Other Colony House Museum Volunteers ~ Terry & Jean Bradley John Stuart Clyde & June Oberg Gerry Keeling Richard Harbuck

Special THANKS to Barb Thomas-

Lead Docent Extraordinaire!

WANTED

Self propelled Push lawn mower for

Colony House Museum. Selling yours?

Need a tax deductable donation? Give us a shout!

● ● ●

Palmer Historical Society is now accepting nominations for our next Board of Directors. If you would like to serve

in this way let a Board Member know so your name can be added to the ballot for our upcoming elections.

We have an active Board that meets once a month for

Board meetings and many times a month for ongoing projects – join us for History in the making!

*Elections will be held during the October Annual Meeting.

Board of Directors & Support Team Joan Campbell Sharon Benson Sheri Hamming Jean Krupa Gerry Keeling Clyde & June Oberg Carol Lombardo JoAnn Utt Carol Strouse You? John Stuart Barbara Thomas

~ Attention Palmer Historical Society Members ~

The Palmer Historical Society Board of Directors has voted

to adopt a change to the PHS bylaws.

The by-law adopted by the Board changes the Annual

meeting from October to January.

Article III Membership Meeting

B. The October January general membership meeting shall

be considered the Annual Meeting; at which time the membership shall conduct such business as may be proper

and elect the Board of Directors. Written notice of the

Annual Meeting shall be given to the membership at least

thirty (30) days in advance.

Rational:

Our membership dues structure and our financial

accounting year have been changed to a calendar year. This

bylaw change will align the Annual Meeting with those

changes.

According to current By Laws this change can be vetoed by

a vote of our membership at our September 17, 2014

History Night.

Did you guess why this flag is so special? *48 stars!*

PALMER - UNIQUE HISTORY

Homesteaders, settlers, colonists,

prospectors, tradesman, teachers,

medical personnel, railroad, military,

miners and more!

Treasured collections are donated by

generous folks from Palmer and beyond.

Do you have photos from early Palmer

or Matanuska? Please consider sharing

with us – we can scan your copy or you

can scan and email, or print them for us.

ptownhistory@gmail.com

History continues to be shared through

your donations!

THANK YOU!

Early Matanuska had one general store, one hotel, and one liquor store with a population of 50 people.

Matanuska had halls for dances, entertainment, & athletic contests, a grade school & high school.

www.palmerhistoricalsociety.org

Have you been to our website lately?

Check it out – we have a new look!

JUMP

Beautiful Pioneer Peak – Outside the Wineck Barn at the Alaska State Fair