Daily Sitka Sentinel

History Society Hears Gold Mine Tales, Reports

By Sentinel Staff
    The checkered history of Sitka gold mining, and gold mining schemes, was related by an on-the-ground researcher Tuesday night at the annual meeting of the Sitka Historical Society.
    The presentation followed the society’s business meeting, when executive director Hal Spackman delivered the year’s activity report, and two volunteers, Ian Crane and Susan Suarez, were honored with the annual Isabel Miller Award.
    As program speaker, Matthew Hunter told of his mining research in old newspapers and financial documents, as well as from bush-whacking treks to the hardrock mine pits that still dot the Sitka countryside. In his presentation, “Gold Fever, Scandals and Family–The Story of Sitka’s Mining Industry in Silver Bay,” Hunter described a colorful cast of characters, con men and true believers in late 1800s Sitka, and the massive investment in mines that altogether never yielded more than a thimbleful of gold.
    In her introduction of the Isabel Miller award recipients, historical society president Sabra Jenkins said the award recognizes those “who (have)  given freely of their time, talents and resources to promote the goals and mission of the Sitka Historical Society and Museum.”
    She said Crane has been an “on-call IT wizard” for the society for the past two years.
    “Not only was he able to patch up our old equipment and keep us running during our transition from the White House to the new museum, he has been instrumental in helping design, order and install updated technology through the Rasmuson Grant, thus bringing our museum to current standards,” Jenkins said. The White House is the historic Seward Street structure where many of the museum’s collection was stored while the Centennial Hall museum was being remodeled.

Ian Crane, left, and Susan Suarez receive the 2019 Isabel Miller Award from  Sabra Jenkins, right, Tuesday night at Harrigan Centennial Hall. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

    Crane, a Sitka High graduate, is IT director for the Sitka School District.
    Suarez “has been a major behind-the-scenes volunteer, helping the Sitka Historical Society and Museum for the past four year as she has put in many hours helping make our major fundraisers a success,” Jenkins said.
    “She always goes above and beyond what is expected of her ... One can tell she has great pride in her hometown.”
    In his report on the society’s year, Spackman spoke of a major Rasmuson Foundation grant for new computers for staff and the Reis Research Room. He said work is continuing on entering and cataloguing photos and archives into a Past Perfect database.
    He reported that there were 5,394 visitors to the museum between May and September, and $39,404 was collected from admission fees.
    Also at the meeting the new Sitka Historical Society’s logo, designed by Lori Massey, was unveiled. It shows a flying eagle whose form blends into a view of Mt. Edgecumbe.
    Pat Alexander and Ernie Massey were re-elected to two-year terms on the board. Massey also was elected vice president. Sheila Finkenbinder is secretary and Barbara DeLong is treasurer. Other board members are John Stein and Lance Ewers.
    The historical society will host an Alaska Day Brew Fest 2:30-4 p.m. Friday at the Centennial Hall parking lot. Tickets and information are available at the Sitka History Museum, 738-3766.