In the Sentinel 75, 50 and 25 years ago.
May 31, 1940: Official program of the Wrangell Potlatch Monday and Tuesday: June 3, 10 to 11 a.m., dedication of Hit Klane (Shakes Community House). Unveiling of new totem pole on Shakes Island. Noon to 5 p.m., Impressive Chief's inaugural ceremony, main event of Potlatch. Starts with arrival of Indian canoes at Shakes Island bringing guests to participate with Chief in his ceremonies. Following brief ceremony at Island, procession will form, led by Indian band, and move in colorful regalia up Front Street from Island to Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall where actual coronation of Kudanake will take place. The ceremony will last most of the afternoon.
May 28, 1965: Saturday's Dedication Day and Open House at the new Wrangell Branch building of National Bank of Alaska was an “overwhelming success,” reports Frank H. Murkowski, assistant vice president and manager. From the time Mayor Doris Bames cut the ribbon of dollar bills across the door at 1:30 until 5 p.m. (an hour later than planned) visitors streamed through the new modern building. Winner of the transistor radio given as a door prize was Pauline Nims of Wrangell. Winner of the $100 Savings Account for the closest answer in the candle burning contest will not be known until the candle is gone. Entries will continue to be received until the flame reaches a line a few inches from the bottom. The candle was first lighted during the Open House by National Bank of Alaska President Donald L. Mellish of Anchorage, who led a large contingent of statewide bank officers and executives to Wrangell for the event.
May 31, 1990: With arrival of the summer tourist season, new exhibits at the Wrangell Museum are receiving final touches. The new exhibits, funded by the Alaska State Museum grant program, will be featured at an open house planned for June 2 to coincide with the 50th anniversary commemoration of the 1940 potlatch. “This is the largest undertaking since we built the 'This Was Wrangell' exhibit several years ago,” said museum Director Pat Ockert. “This grant project required a bit more research and construction and included four different major projects.” The projects included building a display featuring the original Shakes Clan houseposts, a wildlife exhibit for the almost 40 birds and ducks acquired by the museum, a local minerals case and interpretive boards to enhance existing exhibits. The grant also funded purchase of a television and VCR for viewing special tapes about the community and local industry, history and culture, Ockert said. The houseposts are on display in the center of the Heritage Room. They are not enclosed in protective plexiglass now, but this portion of the work should be completed early this summer. Ockert said this is the first time in almost 10 years the houseposts have been on public display. They were removed from the clan house on Shakes Island in 1980 for preservation work.
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