Stevenson Hall
Dear Editor: After having acquired Stevenson Hall assuming responsibility for historic preservation of the building in concert with the adjoining campus, I am both dismayed and appalled at the Sitka Summer Music Festival’s plans to destroy the integrity of the quad and dishonor mandatory preservation plat covenants on the former Sheldon Jackson Campus, one of the most historically significant properties in the State of Alaska, as well as a national historic landmark, with their short-sighted project to ‘‘rehabilitate’’ Stevenson Hall for $4.2 million with window replacement, heat and ventilation work, among other ‘‘improvements.’’
If or when the wooden, multi-paned windows, sash weights and cordage, and wooden window frames, identified as an integral part of ‘‘character defining features’’ according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation are removed, window openings altered, new exterior siding patched on, and replaced with vinyl windows historic preservation is dead to Stevenson Hall, and utterly compromises the historic quad.
There will be no going back. According to the Secretary’s Standards, the ‘‘treatment ‘rehabilitation’ assumes that at least some repair or alteration of the historic building will be needed in order to provide for an efficient contemporary use; however, these repairs and alterations must not damage or destroy materials, features or finishes that are important in defining the building’s historic character.’’
Removal of the windows is the ultimate destruction of materials, features and finishes. If Stevenson Hall does not suit the needs of the Sitka Summer Music Festival, they might wish to entertain the thought of selling the building, and using the proceeds with the $4.2 million to purchase land and build a modern facility that will satisfy their needs.
Sitka has lost so many historic structures, please let’s not start chipping away at the historic SJ Campus. Sitkans, please direct all concerns and opposition to this project to the Office of History and Archaeology (907) 269-8700; hopefully, they may be able to intervene on our behalf.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Karen Lucas, Sitka
Cancer Survivors Event
Dear Editor: On behalf of the Sitka Cancer Survivors Society, we wish to thank all those who attended last Sunday at the Path of Hope walk celebrating cancer survivors. We did have a good turnout. We thank the Sitka Emblem Club #142 for providing the yummy refreshments. They truly help this event be such a success! And the weather held out. The kids and adults had so much fun trying to find the hidden treasures. We thought we hid them really well, but they were excellent treasure hunters. Linda Janacek also distributed her beautiful shell buttons for the kids to find as well, as a “thank you” for coming.
Those who attended had the opportunity to meet Steve Lawrie and Bobbi and Dennis Carlson, who help keep the park in excellent condition, and have recently replaced the bottom of the benches with roofing material. It makes the park look even more awesome. Susan Padilla, who also helps big time keeping the park in tip-top shape, was out of town. She was missed. We can’t thank these mighty four enough for all the hard work and support they continued to give to us through all these years. Thank you! If you see them, say a “thank you.”
It was so good to meet people who have never walked through the park and to celebrate with other cancer survivors. We are planning to make this an annual event. This was our third year! If you missed, we hope to see you next year.
We thank the Sitka Sentinel for all the press they gave us for this event, and for their continued support of SCSS. We also want to thank KIFW, and Raven Radio for all the PSAs, and for doing interviews about this event. We encourage all in Sitka to take the time and walk through the Path of Hope and enjoy the beautiful, peaceful surroundings. The more we are all aware of the park and use it, hopefully, it will keep the vandalism down. The park is for all of us in Sitka!
If anyone knows of someone who has been recently diagnosed with cancer and in need of help with medical expenses, travel, etc., please have them contact one of the following board members for a mini grant application form.
Please mark your calendars: next Sunday is our new Cancer Support Group Meeting being held at the Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital 4th floor boardroom from 3 to 4 p.m. Our new board member, Diane Linn, is our new support group coordinator. Any questions, please contact Diane Linn, at (512)659-3156.
Thanks again, Sitka.
SCSS Board Members:
Susan Suarez, President,
Candi Barger, Vice President,
Linda Janacek, Secretary,
Bonnie Richards, Quilt Sales,
Gloria Scigliano, Treasurer,
Diane Linn, MSN RN OCN Nurse Educator and
Support Group Coordinator,
and Carolyn Fredrickson, Publicity
