News form The Frontiersman – 1947

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Medeia Csoba DeHass

This week, a gentleman donated a series of issues of The Frontiersman, a biweekly newspaper published in Seldovia. The collection covers several issues of the paper mainly from the year 1947. Savanna Bradley, the Collection Manager of the Pratt Museum, kindly took the following photos relating to the history of Nanwalek and Port Graham while reviewing and accessioning these items.

Chris Moss Historic documents and newspaper collection, Pratt Museum – The Frontiersman.

According to the information I was able to find on The Frontiersman, it was a twice weekly newspaper published in Seldovia starting in 1946 on each Wednesday and Saturday. In 1947, the editor was Viola Daniels, and subscription cost 75 cents for a month.

Chris Moss Historic documents and newspaper collection, Pratt Museum –  The Frontiersman 1947 July 19, page 7 – “Kvasnikoff Son.”

Chris Moss Historic documents and newspaper collection, Pratt Museum – The Frontiersman.

A baby boy was born to Mrs. Martha Kvasnikoff of English Bay.

Chris Moss Historic documents and newspaper collection, Pratt Museum –  The Frontiersman 1947 August 6, page 3 – “Good, Good, Good – Martha Mumchuck Recipe.”

The Frontiersman 1947 August 6

Chris Moss Historic documents and newspaper collection, Pratt Museum – The Frontiersman.

The fish pie recipe from the past from Martha Mumchuck. Interesting to see that potatoes were just as popular as rice, which indicates a shift in cooking practices and the availability of certain ingredients when compared with today’s popularity of rice. Perhaps, gardening was still prevalent in the 1940s and most people had easier access to potatoes they grew than today.

Chris Moss Historic documents and newspaper collection, Pratt Museum – The Frontiersman 1947 September 6, page 6 – “New Station.”

The Frontiersman 1947 September 6

Chris Moss Historic documents and newspaper collection, Pratt Museum – The Frontiersman.

According to The Frontiersman, Port Graham received a radio station in 1947. It was operated by the Coens (Cohen), who were teachers for the school. Kenneth Cohen was the local teacher for the BIA School and lived in Port Graham until the mid-1950s with his wife, Rose. The Kenneth Cohen collection at the UAF archives contains several years’ worth of diaries by Mr. Cohen, who was an avid note taker. His daily notes contain remarks on the weather, his home life concerning his many cats or his wife, some information on his students or schoolwork, and his opinion on local events and persons. For instance, he made notes on Christmas celebrations and masking, his visits to Nanwalek, visits by Father Nicholas Moonin to Port Graham, the village organizing curfew for schoolchildren, and local politics such as talks about the possibility of reservations. There is a finding aid available online, and the full citation for the collection is:

Cohen, Kenneth S.
N.d. Kenneth S. Cohen Collection. Fairbanks, AK: Arctic and Polar Regions Archive, Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

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Old Church History, Passage Island Fox Farm, and News from the Past

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Medeia Csoba DeHass

Here are three photographs from the Pratt Museum’s collection connected to John Herbert and Passage Island. I have mentioned him in a post a few years ago, when I was working with the Alaska Commercial Company (ACC) collection in at the Archives in Fairbanks. According to documents in the ACC collection, John Herbert purchased buildings from the ACC in Seldovia. He also helped people in Nanwalek purchase the ACC building that had become a part of the old Church. Many Elders in Nanwalek have confirmed that the building was bought for two sea otter pelts. Apparently, there were a few men in Nanwalek who worked for Herbert. These men told him that they wanted to buy the buildings that the ACC left behind, as by 1899, the ACC had closed down the store in Nanwalek for a variety of reasons. Nevertheless, Herbert sent the following letter to the ACC offices on Kodiak. Please keep in mind, as with all historical documents, I kept the original spelling, grammar and capitalization of letters.

“Homer Nov. 3th 1901

To A.C. Gross –
Gentlemen

I have received your letter about the A.C.C. Buildings at Seldovia try to let me know if they are sold or not as soon as possible because if I dont buy them I can buy from the North American Co. There building is for sale. There is two Natif [sic] from Inglish [sic] Bay who are working for me, they told me that they would like to buy the old Buildings that the Co. has in English Bay, if you want get rid of those old building let me know your prices, those party may buy them –

Yours truly,

J.A. Herbert”

University of Alaska Fairbanks, Polar Regions Archives
Alaska Commercial Company Records 1868-1913
Box 116. Folder 1022 – Kodiak, Letters, Incoming: Homer Station: 1900-07

From a letter dated 1902 December, we know that Herbert had purchased the Seldovia Buildings, but he did not mention the ones in Nanwalek. Therefore, it was interesting to see photos of this man, John Herbert, who had, perhaps unknowingly, secured a part of the old Church building that became a cornerstone of Nanwalek’s and the region’s history. Today this building, the old Sts. Sergius and Herman of Valaam Churach, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Apparently, he also purchased or rented the area on Passage Island and used it for farming foxes.

PM 1982-046-0008
This is a photo of some of the fox pens and Herbert’s house in the background. The inscription on the back of the photo says: “John Herbert’s fox pens on Passage Island.”

Courtesy of the Steve Zawistowski historical photograph collection – PM 1982-046-0008 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

Courtesy of the Steve Zawistowski historical photograph collection – PM 1982-046-0008 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

PM 1982-046-0006
A view of Passage Island with a large ship in the right side of the frame. Perhaps this photo of the island was taken from Port Graham. “John Herbert’s fur farm on island at Port Graham.”

Courtesy of the Steve Zawistowski historical photograph collection – PM 1982-046-0006 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

Courtesy of the Steve Zawistowski historical photograph collection – PM 1982-046-0006 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

PM 1982-046-0002
A photo of John Herbert with two blue foxes on Passage Island.

Courtesy of the Steve Zawistowski historical photograph collection – PM 1982-046-0002 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

Courtesy of the Steve Zawistowski historical photograph collection – PM 1982-046-0002 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

I was also going through the newspaper collection and found two small articles in the Cook Inlet Courier – one pertains to Nanwalek and one to Port Graham and Seldovia.

English Bay Raises $40 for March of Dimes – 1963. Cook Inlet Courier – February 15, 1963 – Vol. 4, No. 27.

Cook Inlet Courier - February 15, 1963 – Vol. 4, No. 27 - Courtesy of the Pratt Museum historical newspaper collection archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

Cook Inlet Courier – February 15, 1963 – Vol. 4, No. 27 – Courtesy of the Pratt Museum historical newspaper collection archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

Seldovia-Port Graham Consolidated Cannery -1964. Cook Inlet Courier – May 15, 1964 – page 14

Cook Inlet Courier - May 15, 1964 – page 14 - Courtesy of the Pratt Museum historical newspaper collection archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

Cook Inlet Courier – May 15, 1964 – page 14 – Courtesy of the Pratt Museum historical newspaper collection archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

 

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Archaeological finds and old photos of Nanwalek

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Medeia Csoba DeHass
Courtesy of the Toby Tyler historical photograph collection – PM 2001-014-0006 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

Courtesy of the Toby Tyler historical photograph collection – PM 2001-014-0006 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

According to the Pratt Museum’s catalog this aerial photo of Nanwalek (PM 2001-014-0006) was taken sometimes between 1956 and 1974. The old church is clearly visible on the hillside with one of the small paths leading to it. I was surprised to see how much of the bluff was still intact. Wondering if this photo was taken closer to the 50s or the 70s?

 

 

 

PM 2003-046-0082 Nanwalek village scene

Courtesy of the Jan Aphelin historical photograph collection – PM 2003-046-0082 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

This village scene in Nanwalek (PM 2003-046-0082) is from 1982. It was taken as part of the Housing and Urban Development Project for the North Pacific Rim before the houses and apartments were built. I thought this was the road that passes by the Eagle building and the store, but I am not sure if this is correct. What are the buildings/homes and are there any still standing?

 

 

 

PM 1976-019-0001 Medallion

Courtesy of the Pratt Museum Photo Archives – PM 1976-019-0001. Donated by Sarjus Kvasnikoff. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

The photo of this medallion (PM 1976-019-0001) might seem familiar to some of you. It was donated to the museum by Sarjus Kvasnikoff in the 1970s, who had found it in his garden in Nanwalek. The museum record does not say where the garden was, but I thought most gardens were down on the airport. It would make sense if this medallion came from airport, as it is Russian in origin. So finding it in the vicinity of where the fort must have stood seems plausible. The museum catalog had it identified as French, due to the fleur-de-lis symbol and the closed crown, but with some hours of internet research from Dave we figured out it was Russian. It is probably a badge that lower ranking officials wore on their chests. It is a thin copper plate embossed with the design measuring about 2 and ¾ inches in diameter.

 

PM 1993-163-0663 Ivory Object

Courtesy of the Pratt Museum Photo Archives – PM 1993-163-0663 (SEL 010-87-142). For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

The last item on the list (PM 1993-163-0663) is somewhat of a mystery. It came to the Pratt Museum as part of an excavation in the Kachemak Bay area. It is a carved ivory object from the Kachemak Tradition (so it is approximately 3000 – 1400 years old) that is less than an inch long. The way the photo is was taken makes it difficult to see the entirety the item, but the round, wheel like shape has that thin, horn-like shape carved out of it on both sides. It almost looks like as if would fit into another piece that was carved to go with it. It is done in great detail and has a smooth surface. Any ideas what it could have been for?

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Four more photos from the Pratt Museum’s Archives (1890s-1930s)

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Medeia Csoba DeHass
Courtesy of the Pratt Museum photograph collection – PM 1999-001-0003 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives.

Courtesy of the Pratt Museum photograph collection – PM 1999-001-0003 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives.

This photo of a seining party in 1892 at Port Graham is originally from the National Archives (NARA) (22-FFA-461), but a copy is available at the Pratt Museum (1999-001-0003). According to the National Archive’s copyright policy this is a publicly available record and as such, it may be used without written permission. They ask users to credit the National Archives and Records Administration.

 

 

Courtesy of the Ragnar Krogius photograph collection – PM 1994-068-0001 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

Courtesy of the Ragnar Krogius photograph collection – PM 1994-068-0001 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

This photo of a qayaq with three hunters is originally from the Etholen Collection of the National Museum of Finland and is copyrighted outside of fair use. The Pratt Museum’s call number is 1994-068-0001 at the Ragnar Krogius Collection. The photo was taken around Port Axel in Bear Cove. Most likely, these are hunters from Nanwalek or one of the temporary settlements on the Outer Coast. The man in the middle seat seems to have a gun while the man in the front seat seems to have a bow and arrow. I know people used to hunt with various kinds of spears, atlatls, bolas and harpoons, but I do not think I have heard much about bows. Perhaps some of the hunters might have some updates on this.

 

Courtesy of the Ragnar Krogius photograph collection – PM 1999-002-0002 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

Courtesy of the Ragnar Krogius photograph collection – PM 1999-002-0002 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

From the same collection (Ragnar Krogius), this photo (1999-002-0002) is of a log home near Port Axel from November of 1905. Originals are at the Etholen collection of the National Museum of Finland.

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy of the Smith Family Historic photograph collection – PM 2005-020-0059 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

Courtesy of the Smith Family Historic photograph collection – PM 2005-020-0059 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

The last photo for today is from the Smith Family Collection (2005-020-0059), and it shows the “Chief’s House” in Port Graham. The Smith family used to live on Passage Island and in Aurora Lagoon. They farmed foxes, tended the lighthouse, fished, and the wife, Mary Elizabeth Smith, also taught at the Port Graham School. Digital copies of her diaries from the 1930’s are available at the Pratt Museum. They do not mention the Chief by name, but I was wondering if anybody might recognize the house or knows who the chief was in Port Graham in the 1930s.

As usual, please feel free to leave comments here or on Facebook. Any information is much appreciated.

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Port Graham School Children 1934

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Medeia Csoba DeHass

Here is another photo from the Smith Family photograph collection (PM 2005-020-0073). Feel free to comment here on the website or on the post at the Sugpiaq group on Facebook. Due to copyright issues, the photograph is only visible here on the website.

The photos copyright belongs to the Pratt Museum, and for this reason, please do not share them on Facebook as direct uploads. However, feel free to save and print copies for your own personal use, as also for educational and research purposes with appropriate references. For any other questions regarding reproduction, use, and permissions, including non-profit publishing, please contact the Pratt Museum. The photo is posted here with permission from the Pratt Museum.

Courtesy of the Smith Family Historic photograph collection – PM 2005-020-0073 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

Courtesy of the Smith Family Historic photograph collection – PM 2005-020-0073 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.

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Pratt Museum – Smith Family Historic photograph collection

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Medeia Csoba DeHass

I have found these photos while I was working on putting together the Sugpiaq Catalog at the Pratt Museum. They are provided here as a part of the Smith Family Historic photograph collection at the Pratt Museum Photo Archives. Because their copyright belongs to the Pratt Museum, please do not share them on Facebook. But feel free to save and print copies for your own personal use, as also for educational and research purposes with appropriate references. For any other questions regarding reproduction, use, and permissions, including non-profit publishing, please contact the Pratt Museum. These photos are posted here with permission from the Pratt Museum.

The Pratt Museum collection number is noted on each photo for your reference. You can click on the photos to see larger versions. I am not sure, but it appeared to me as if these photos were taken up on the trail in Nanwalek. I thought the one with the people having picnic looks like Yum-yum. Also, the one with the weir looking thing across the creek looks like as if it was taken from the other side from the trail. There are more photos in this collection, some of which are of school children in Port Graham in the 1930s. The Smiths were schoolteachers there for a while. So I figured maybe this was an outing for them to Nanwalek, they went for hiking perhaps.

You can leave comment here in the space below. You do NOT need to fill out your email or website information – I just have not figured out yet how to remove those fields. Providing your name might be helpful so we can follow the conversation. In order to avoid being hit by spam, I set it up in a way that I have to look at the comments before they become visible. So if your comment does not show up right away, check back in a few hours – I will try my best to stay on top of it. Thank you for your input in advance!

Courtesy of the Smith Family Historic photograph collection – PM 2005-020-0087 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.
Courtesy of the Smith Family Historic photograph collection – PM 2005-020-0085 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.
Courtesy of the Smith Family Historic photograph collection – PM 2005-020-0086 – Pratt Museum Photo Archives. For reproduction, questions, and permission outside of Fair Use please contact the Pratt Museum.
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