Wasilla's museum may become a thing of the past

WASILLA -- The historic treasures of Wasilla's Dorothy G. Page Museum are literally falling apart. Unprotected from dust and insect infestations, many exhibits in the museum are tattered, overly touched by visitors and prone to theft.

Outside, the old log buildings and weather-worn structures of Wasilla's past are crumbling with rotten logs, drippy ceilings and walls supported by braces so they don't fall over.

Thanks to a $8,500 grant from the Heritage Preservation, Museum Administrator Tanya Cribb recently brought in two historic building and exhibit professionals to conduct a conservation assessment program and write a report to help the museum develop short- and long-term care plans.

"They both wrote reports," Cribb said, "and this stuff is falling apart. The entire townsite area needs grading out. Buildings already have rotting logs and the foundations are cracked. Unless the community does something, we are going to lose this stuff."

According to the report, one of the more pressing issues is the lack of museum staff hours. Cribb is the only full-time employee and does not have time to address all the pressing needs.

During the summer months, a museum aide helps out but Cribb said this is not enough and that she has had a hard time convincing city officials she needs more help.

Cribb said she hoped the CAP reports would give credibility to her requests.

With more staff, Cribb said she could dedicate more time to seeking much-needed grants to help restore old exhibits and create new ones.

"Some of these things I can do, but there are other things I have no control over," Cribb said. "I need more staff but there's not much funding for that."

With less than $2,000, building maintenance funds are also scarce.

"There's no money for grading and backhoes but if that stuff doesn't happen, these buildings will just continue to rot," Cribb said. "Even if we had skilled volunteers, that would be helpful, but we don't have people coming forward and as much as this city is growing, the maintenance department doesn't have time to come over here. We are left to fend for ourselves."

Cribb said she is thankful for the small number of volunteers that help teach classes and help around the museum but, according to the CAP report, the museum would benefit greatly from two full-time positions and a larger volunteer support staff.

Those interested in volunteering services and equipment may call the museum at 373-9071 to schedule volunteer hours.

"Unless the community gets involved they're going to lose some of the pearls of this city," Cribb said. "These are some of the most beautiful buildings in Wasilla and you can't get this stuff back when it's gone."

Museum desperate for volunteers

WASILLA -- The Dorothy Page Museum is in desperate need of volunteers to help maintain exhibits, repair rotting buildings and organize artifacts.

Museum Administrator Tanya Cribb said she needs help with everything from data entry to heavy-equipment dirt work.

"If there were someone willing to volunteer, that would be really helpful," Cribb said. "I'd even be willing to stay after hours."

Several of the buildings need a new coat of paint and two have leaky roofs. Drainage is another issue, with water damage causing one structure to sink below ground level.

During the winter season the museum is officially closed and volunteers do clerical work, write condition reports about artifacts and organize the collections.

Those interested in volunteering may call 373-9071 to arrange a time.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.