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WHAT'S NEW...

National Scenic By-ways Grant $375,000 (expected to begin Spring 2012)

• Extends the existing paved paths to create a “measured loop” as a trail within the park.

• Construction of year round bathrooms.

• Renovations to the Roberts/O'Neill House to developed a National Scenic By-ways visitor center.

• Development of new interpretive signage for the park.

Mat-Su Health Foundation Healthy Impact Grant $135,000.00

• Extends the existing paved paths to create a “measured loop” as a trail within the park.

• Provides the purchase and installation of a pavilion with exercise equipment similar to those pictured. This would give our community a “covered” resource on rainy days and a place for “warm-up” prior to walking the trails.

• Promotes health and exercise programs in the Sutton community.

• Provides outdoor lights within the historical park grounds for year round use.

• Provide a site survey and site plan design for future funding and park grounds development.

Alaska State Museums Grant in Aid

Artifact Preservation

In 2011, $2000 was awarded to develop cement foundations for the outdoor mining equipment as per the recommend of the conservator who evaluated the condition of our historical displays.

In 2010, $2000 was awarded to the Alpine Historical Society for a conservator, David Harvey, to evaluate the outdoor exhibits at the park.

This grant and evaluation could make the park eligible for other funding sources.

Fossil Exhibit

The Matanuska River Valley is rich in geologic history and within the valley are numerous evidences of the geologic history of this incredible region. The Alpine Historical Park now features an indoor exhibit housing fossils from the Wishbone Hill Coal District as well as an outdoor petrified wood exhibit.

This Project is supported by a Grant-In-Aid from the Alaska State Museum

Mat Su Borough Bed Tax Grant

The AHS was awarded Mat Su Borough Bed Tax Grant funds to upgrade the foundation and replace the rotting logs the historic Roberts/O'Neill house. The house and property are pivotal in the history of Sutton, the coal town. In 1983, the Mat Su Borough exchanged property with the O'Neill's to create a historic park on mining, the Alaskan highway construction, and Athabascan culture. The Roberts/O'Neill home became the caretaker's home and the regular source of income for the AHS. The building was closed in 2003. The Alpine Historical Society plans to restore the building to be a year round public visitor center for Sutton and travelers on the Glenn Highway, a National Scenic Byway.

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