Telling Alaska’s Story: Colony House Museum in Palmer is a window into Alaska’s past

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The Colony Home Museum in downtown Palmer is an unique colony home inbuilt 1935 and restored after a years-long effort by the Palmer Historic Society. Though the house was owned by Oscar and Irene Beylund, it’s consultant of the numerous properties constructed to occupy the unique Matanuska colonists.

The colonists have been a part of a New Deal authorities agriculture program designed to present depression-era farmers from the higher Midwest a brand new begin within the Matanuska Valley. The 203 households chosen for the problem got a $3,000, 30-year mortgage that entitled them to a 40-acre tract of land, a home and a barn.

Gerry Keeling, a longtime Palmer Historic Society board member, is among the “Colony Children.” Keeling’s mother and father have been colonists who got here to the state in 1935 and he or she was born a number of years later in Palmer. Keeling mentioned it was a troublesome life for brand new households, whose property largely consisted of uncleared woods. However for the youngsters, there was loads of journey.

“The kids, usually, preferred it a complete lot,” Keeling mentioned. “We felt we have been very fortunate, and I believe to today in case you have been a toddler rising up right here within the Valley in these early years, you have been fortunate.”

At present, guests are fortunate to have the ability to go to the colony residence and take a tour. Historic Society President Sheri Hamming mentioned they obtain guests from around the globe, and typically from outdoors relations desirous to be taught extra about their relative’s expertise in Alaska. The museum has footage of lots of the colony households and the entire furnishings and different objects within the residence are utterly genuine.

The Colony Home Museum is positioned at 316 E. Elmwood Ave. in Palmer. It’s open 12:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. Wednesday — Saturday by way of August 31. Yr-round excursions can be found by appointment by calling (907) 745-1935.

Copyright 2022 KTUU. All rights reserved.