1975-04-26 Special Work SessionSpecial Workshop Meeting Bicentennial Comlit�e —April 26, 1975' ' S
The meeting was called to order at 10: 10 a.m. in the Borough Meeting Room by
Chairman Pro-Tem, AI Taylor. Those present were Allen Taylor, Margaret
Childs; representing the Historical Society, Lucy McIver, Eunice Neseth;
from the Borough Will Gariss; from the Russian Church, Father Joeseph Kreta.
Clarification of three items in the minutes of April 15th meeting was called for:
1 . Status of the $37,000 for structural repairs to the Erskine House -
There is no word from the Department of Interior concerning this grant.
Lucy feels assured ti is only a matter of time. (This would be a grant of
$18,500 to be matched by the City to repair the house foundation, wire the
second floor, repair the stairs.)
2. Status of the land ( the three lots surrounding Erskine House) - HUD
owns the lots; ASHA has title. It is felt that some nudging by political
process could be effective, but unitl recently no push has been made.
(See attached addendum for copies of letters concerning this questions)
3. Status of the request for $15,000 from State Legislature for Fireproofing
Erskine House - there is no work. Norma Holt will be asked to write a
letter from this group to Ed Naughton supporting the request and emphasizing
that the Erskine House is the oldest wooden structure on the West Coast and the
oldest Russian structure in America - and it is Alaska's Meeting House.
Lucy McIver reported that the Historical Society has applied for a $5000
grant from Bird and Son for landscaping of Erskine House. Final judging
of requests will be June 1. (Bird and Son is a manufacturer of roofing
supplies, and is a business established at about the same time Erkines House
was built.)
Clarification of items from the April 17th minutes was called for:
1 . Margaret will check with the Borough Office to see whether a letter has
been written from this Commission to Mr. David Boyle, ASHA, supporting the
Historical Society's request for the property. If this letter has not been
written, Al will do so.
2. The idea of a community center building was settled by concensus. This
concept should be developed elsewhere in Kodiak. The Erksine House and
the adjacent property should be neither recreational nor convention - center
oriented. The proposed building should contain gallery space meeting rooms.
3. In reference to Father Kreta's comments, inclusion in the museum of
native artifacts and crafts was discussed. It was agreed that these would be
an important part of chronicling the history of Kodiak and should be
included. Unfortunately, no members of the native groups were present at
the meeting. This subject should be discussed with these groups and their
support should be encouraged.
The Museum Proposal Outline was discussed point by point.
Bacground -
The whole narrative needs to be rewritten with the aim of selling
the legislature on the need for a museum. It must be stressed that this
(erskine) is the oldest wooden structure on the west coast, the oldest
Russian structure in America - that there is need for display space for
artifacts, storage space for archives - describing the concept of four
historical periods and the cultural interchange possible with traveling
exhibits to and from the museum.
Functional Description -
Area
Function
Archives - (under custodial control)
dead storage provide physically secure area for Russian
Orthodox Church metircal records (baptisms,
births, deaths, marriages) and for historic
documents, journals, and publications 1000 square feet
display area
open area for sealed under glass display of
documents
500 square feet
study -work
room
where individuals may study/do research
or small class may meet, catalogueing done
500 square feet
Museum Display
dynamic displays that will change, be lent
4areas
and/or borrowed -
areas will represent 4 periods, Pre -Russian,
Russian, American, Contemporary (since
the arrival of the U. S. Navy, 1939) . Each
area will be appropriately designed and
decorated with typical motifs.
1000 square feet
each - 4000 sq. ft.
(tota I )
General Meeting
Rooms
Large, capable of seating up to 150
persons
2000 square feet
Small capable of seating 15-20 persons
500 square feet
Could be used for organizational meetings
lectures, filmshowings, workshops,
seminars.
Both rooms would have excellent visual and
acoustical characteristics.
Area Function Space
Both rooms would double as galleries
when needed.
Administrative
Office
*Workstorage
Toi I ets
*Mechanical
space
Information
for curator and secretary
furnace, humidifier, etc.
Center/Gift Shop
* can be attic or basement space
300 square feet
200 square feet
100 square feet
Total 91,000 square feet
There will be space for parking 30 cars in the parking lot.
There will be no living facilities within the museum.
At a cost estimate of $120,00 per sq. ft. it was decided to request $1,200,000
with contingencies.
Lucy, Eunice and Margaret will write the Background and Functional parts of the
Proposal. Allen and Will will take care of the Physical Description and Preliminary
Design.
When the proposal is written copies will be sent to Kay Poland, Ed Naughton,
the State Bi-Centennial Commission, and the City of Kodiak and Kodiak Island
Borough.
Norma Holt will be asked to make early contact with the legislators to forewarn
them of the coming proposals.
There was discussion of site location for the museum. It was decided that the
building should face wouthwest para Ile.l to Main Street on the northwest corner of
the site. Father Kreta suggested that the Historical Society contact the Director
of the Anchorage museum - Mr. Shalkop - who is very knowledgeable concerning
Kodiak native artifacts.
The meeting adjourned at 2: 30 p.m.
Margaret Childs, Secretary