Pioneers of Alaska

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Logo of Pioneers of Alaska Pioneers of Alaska logo.jpg
Logo of Pioneers of Alaska

The Pioneers of Alaska is a fraternal organization that was founded in 1907 to preserve the early history of Alaska. [1] [2]

Contents

Originally restricted to white males who entered Alaska before 1900, [1] the organization today has about 5000 members,[ citation needed ] who must be residents of Alaska for at least 20 years to be eligible to join. [1] Once led by men, women became eligible for all leadership positions in 2012. [3]

Founded in Nome, Alaska, the organization works at "gathering and preserving the relics and early history of Alaska", [4] and at improving its economic and social conditions. [3]

The organization has 35 local chapters, which are called "igloos". [5] The group operates the Pioneer Museum at Pioneer Park, in Fairbanks. [6] [7]

Noel Wien was made an honorary member of the northernmost chapter, Igloo No. 8, after successfully landing at Wiseman, Alaska on 5 May 1925. [8]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "History of the Pioneers of Alaska". Pioneers of Alaska.
  2. Official website
  3. 1 2 Schwartz, Dan (September 24, 2012). "Women gain an equal role in Pioneers of Alaska". Peninsula Clarion . Kenai, Alaska . Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  4. Smetzer, Mary Beth (March 8, 2011). 2011 "2011 Pioneers of Alaska regents both history fans" Check |url= value (help). Juneau Empire . Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  5. Mackenzie, B. B. (2012). Alaska Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff. Globe Pequot. ISBN   9780762794607.
  6. "PIONEER PARK: Alaska's Only Historic Theme Park". Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks Recreation Department. 2007–2008.
  7. "Pioneer Museum & Big Stampede Show". ExploreFairbanks.com. Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau.
  8. Harkey, Ira (1991). Pioneer Bush Pilot. Bantam Books. p. 132. ISBN   0553289195.

Further reading