Another special event

Monday night at the Palmer Train Depot was another one of those secret treasured events. It was an “Archeology of the Mat Su” presentation, offered by the Palmer Speaker Series. It really wasn’t a secret because there was some advertising, but the value of the presentation totally exceeded the short,dry yet accurate title. Nonetheless nearly 150 people sad so still for the 1.5 hour, handing on to every word of Archeologist Fran Seager Boss speaking to the old history of the Matanuska and Susitna river corridors.

Howling Wind Didn’t Stop It—It was a free event, sponsored by the Mat Su Trails and Parks Foundation. There were no reservations, no commotion, no big signs—it was just another one of the Palmer Community events. It was a bad wind that night and weather was unfriendly, yet dozens and dozens of people showed up and more and more chairs were set up to accommodate the growing audience. People are interested in the history of their home. I am condensing the evening to 5 paragraphs which doesn’t do justice to the topic nor the presentation itself.

Avenues Into Our Valley—Thousands of years ago our valley was the homeland and travel corridor of both the Ahtna and Dena’ina people. This was long before white settlement or exploration. There were no actual roads but there were trails, following river networks and geologic features. The rivers were filled with salmon and the moose and caribou were plentiful. The Native peoples traveled widely, collecting plants, sharing knowledge and goods, and staying close to the land. Their valley was a gathering and trading place, as it remains today.

The Queen of History—Fran Seager Boss is both an archaeologist and a historian. She is well known in the Mat Su Valley for her passion, curiosity and knowledge. She has a soft voice and flowing white hair and when she looks up at the projected slides on the screen, you can see her clear examination of detail and nuance. Her work and passion has significantly fueled many surveys, excavations, and identifications which have created a bulk of rich historical knowledge. She knows the depth of history…although she says clearly, “We have barely scratched the surface of the rich archaeological history of the valleys.”

How Did It Happen—Tracking the avenues into the Valley is one of her main interests. How, when and where did people first come into the valley, which preceded the historical, well documented government settlements? The early entrances to the valley included mountain passes, waterways, and tested trails. Evidence of various camps, hearths, villages, hunting and subsistence locations were left behind and these locations are the factual and proven record of early travel and life in the region.

Many Different Players—In addition to the far reaching indigenous presence of the Athabaskan people, there were also Russian and American influence from fur traders and explorers who arrived in the region in the late 1700s. This was followed by the Gold Rush and mining prospectors in the 1800s and 1900s. Small Pox and other major health outbreaks and calamities affected parts of the population. The Army and homesteaders also preceded the eventual colony which was established in Palmer in the 1930s. All of this history is rich with stories and tales along with relics, artifacts and documentation.

Inspirational—Fran’s presentation was such an inspiring lecture. It made you feel very small in both the scheme of time and geography. It made you feel like a brand new onlooker or tourist of a huge and dynamic theater that preceded your arrival. A vast amount of unknown history lies in the ridges and soils and old hunting camps, former village sites, graveyards, and pits. We are so fortunate that Fran and the Mat Su Borough’s Cultural Resources, Native Heritage Center, both Chickaloon and Knik committed Historical studies, Colony Museum, Palmer Museum, Hatcher Pass Project, educators and cultural camps are all working together to involve and educate us on the Valley’s history. Thank you to the Mat Su Trails and Parks Foundation for this type of presentation.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff in the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz Column in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222