HomeMy WebLinkAboutJaponski Boathouse Sitka Tribe letterTribal
May 13, 2003
Joe Wallis
Chief of Grants
Save America's Treasures
1201 "Eye„ Street, NW
6`s Floor (ORG. 2255)
Washington, DC 20005
Alaska
RE: Saving America's Treasures — Sitka Maritime Heritage Society's Boathouse Rehabilitation
Dear Mr. Wallis:
As chairman of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska I am writing to offer support for the Sitka Historic
Preservation Commission and the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society's efforts to rehabilitate Sitka's
historic boathouse. This matching grant would be used to rehabilitate the interior of the building to
create a WWII interpretive museum as well as to restore the building's exterior. Thus, funding this
proposal would insure that both the inside and outside of the facility would be attractive and be
furbished with environmentally safe materials.
The Sitka Tribe supported the Maritime Heritage Society's application to the State Historic
Preservation Fund grant, which was successful. That grant will provide for a condition and
environmental survey of the boathouse, expected to begin in this month of May 2003. The Boathouse
is listed as a part of the Sitka Naval Operating Base and the Army Coast Defenses National Landmark.
However, while these designations illustrate the significance of this property, there are no interpretive
signs or naval exhibitions at the building.
The WWII history of Sitka is important to our community, tribe and our tribal citizens. For this
reason, the Tribe looks forward to working with the Maritime Heritage Society to create a museum that
will be pleasing to our community and a pleasant educational opportunity for Sitka's tourists. The
Tribe would like the Maritime Heritage Society to sponsor an informative meeting for our tribal
citizens if Saving America's Treasures funds this important project. In this way our citizens can share
their unique understanding and appreciation of the naval history of our people and Sitka Alaska.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at the Sitka Tribal offices.
Since ly,
rence Widmark, Jr.
411�1
airman
456 Katlian Street • Sitka, Alaska 99835 • (907) 747-3207 • Fax (907) 747-4915