For the love of Palmer

Next week is the Palmer Museum of History and Art’s annual membership meeting. This happens on Wednesday, February 5 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. There will be yummy refreshments from Turkey Red, news reports, plan updates, and a board election.

The Palmer Museum has a variety of worthy ongoing projects, in addition to the traditional museum mission of “collecting objects and materials of cultural, religious and historical importance; preserve them; research them; present them—to the public for the purpose of education and enjoyment.”

Palmer Museum Tells the Long Story—Before Palmer was Palmer, there were Native Alaskans and original Ahtna/ Athabaskan hunter-gatherers in this area. Explorers, homesteaders, adventurers, miners, hunters, farmers, trappers, and Colonists (with their 204 farm families) have sequentially important roots. All of these players have a valuable page in the history book and all are featured in small displays at the Palmer Museum.

The Palmer Museum is Also the Visitor Center—This outreach function of the Museum is a wonderful feature for Palmer. Just like its’ name, the museum is the primary stopping point for all visitors and tourists. You can pick up tour books, brochures, and ask the knowledgeable staff about area attractions. It’s also a small gift shop. The combination of museum, shop, and visitor center functions is both limiting and delightful. Visitors can get regional information, pick up some good maps, use the restrooms, stroll through the garden and learn a bit of history at the same time.

All In One Room of a Log House Cabin—It is not surprising that the Palmer collections on display—are not extensive—due to space limitations. There are other venues which offer more focused collections. Mining history can be found at Hatcher Pass. Colony History can be found at the nearby Colony House Museum. Historic farm tours are available.

Palmer’s Colony House Museum—This is another gem, operated by the Palmer Historical Society. It is across from the Colony Inn and open mostly in the summer. This authentic museum offers a close and true look at the Colony Days’ lives, along with docents and exhibits documenting these important times. Palmer History Night happens every third Wednesday night at the Moose lodge.

Museums are public treasures in our town—They connect visitors and residents of all ages. Every town can be judged by the condition of its’ museums and library. The heartbeat of every town is frequently found in the shelves of the local library or on the walls of the local museum. This is very true in Palmer, Alaska.

So Many Things Happening at the Museum—

• The ongoing Museum Photo Project is a rich collation of images, securing past Palmer events.

• Changing current exhibits and future engaging exhibits encourage locals and visitors to return, multiple times each year.

• The Museum’s guaranteed anchor display is that of an old friend. You know that there is always that one predictable exhibit, which every tourist on your visitor list must see.

• The Palmer Visitor Guide is a shiny brochure with lovely photos and text designed to show off our little town. It makes you want to live here.

• The Museum offers several tours of town, both self-guided and with a guide. The Museum offers an online Recreational Calendar in the Summer months.

• And the major draw of the Museum is the adjoining Showcase Garden which has hundreds of plants, shrubs, trees and flowers and is the destination for visitors and locals alike.

• In a nod to art appreciation, there are sculptures and art in and outside of the Museum. Also there is a Summer Artist of the Week program.

• The Museum sponsors the popular Palmer Wine Walk in July and quarterly “Untold Stories Presentations” —which are public events of local storytelling.

This Week in Palmer celebrate the First Anniversary of 203 Kombuchu and ownership of NonEssentials. There will be parties at each place celebrating their first year in business.

• 203 Kombuchu is introducing its’ new hours, toast line and coffee line!

• NonEssentials is introducing its’ delicious weekly Saturday Farm 779 market with Jules’ healthy ferments, krauts, kvass, keto and kefir, offset with crazy good chocolates, candies, and oils. Jennifer is back with her micro-greens, seeds and teas. The store will be serving snacks and having some great sales~ 20-50% off. Other vendors and folks will be celebrating too.

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. Her “Palmer Buzz Community Calendar” is available at Palmer shops and the Palmer museum. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222