Dorothy Page Museum remembers Territory Days

Editors Note: This is the first in a series of articles on local museumsWASILLA - All historical museums claim to provide a little slice of the past by presenting artifacts and showing us how things used to be. The goal is authenticity, to present exhibits that transcend the moment by making us feel like we are in those bygone days.

Unfortunately, many museums put these exhibits in a sterile environment replete with glass cases, bright lights and impeccably painted white paneling. In this kind of setting, it is hard to forget that there are traffic lights and shopping malls just beyond the walls.

Thats why the Dorothy G. Page Museum in Wasilla is so effective at resurrecting the past; the museum itself is a piece of history. Its log cabin front was originally the Wasilla Community Hall, built in 1932.

In 1967, the building was converted into the Wasilla Museum. Wasilla resident Dorothy Page was instrumental in its founding. Page was also the president and a founding member of the Knik-Wasilla-Willow Creek Historical Society, served four terms on the Wasilla City Council, and even served as interim mayor for a short time. The Wasilla Museum was renamed for Page shortly after her death on Nov. 16, 1989.

The museum specializes in Alaskan antiques and artifacts, and on Alaskas past, with the main focus on the history of Wasilla. Some displays consist of equipment used in Alaska in the early 20th century, such as telephones, radios, mail bags, silverware, furniture, and other miscellaneous tidbits.

A significant section of the museum is devoted to dog mushing, including a Joe Redington Sr. memorial. Redington, the Father of the Iditarod, is featured side by side with Dorothy Page, the Mother of the Iditarod.

In 1965, Page initiated the idea of reopening the Iditarod Trail to hold a long-distance sled dog race. Redington picked up on the idea, and working with Page, eventually made it a reality. Page was also the publisher of the Iditarod Trail Annual, a special publication she wrote and edited each year.

Page also was the editor of Iditarod Runner, the official magazine of the Iditarod Trail Committee, and a lifetime member of the Iditarod Sled Dog Races board of directors.

The museums mushing exhibit also has old and new dog sleds and other mushing equipment.

Downstairs is a large section commemorating the areas early mining history, as well as the fully recreated office of dentist Dr. Lee McKinley. McKinley, known as the Flying Dentist was a pioneer of Bush dentistry and practiced throughout the state, flying from community to community.

In the backyard of the Page Museum is the Wasilla Historical Park, which is an assortment of erstwhile buildings from territorial days. The park encloses Wasillas first school, the Capitol Site Cabin from Willow, and a small group of cabins and barns.

There is also a smokehouse and Wasillas first public sauna bath. Visitors are able to go inside most of the structures.

The historical park was developed by the Knik-Wasilla-Willow Creek Historical Society.

The Dorothy G. Page Museum is a good way to learn about the history of Alaska, specifically the Mat-Su area, and its people.

Admission is $3 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, and children 12 and under get in free. Hours are 10-6 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday.

For more information, call the museum at 373-9071.

Photo: An Iditarod exhibit at the Dorothy G. Page Museum in Wasilla features this dog sled, top.

Photo by TOM SPOTH.