"Make some thing for us that we can look back 100 years from now and be proud of," charged Mayor Edgar Blatchford to the Seward Centennial Legacy Committee.
After a great deal of public testimony and committee deliberations, the following proposals were made...then forgotten when Mayor Blatchford resigned.
Seward Centennial Legacy Project Proposal
Centennial Center - Storehouse of Treasures for our Children
Concept: Dedicating the Jesse Lee Home as the community focal point that ties together all the Centennial Legacy Projects in an interactive manner.
Justification: Although this facility will be actively used by all local age groups, and be a viable destination location for both intrastate and out-of-state visitors, the underlying motivation of the Centennial Center to enhance the quality of life for our youth.
By providing exceptional opportunities for personal growth within easy access of our schools and neighborhoods, we are strengthening the foundation of Seward's future generations. The noblest legacy we can leave our descendants is the strong sense of self that comes from pride in ones heritage and embracing the strong ethics of our pioneers. Building a powerful symbol of our community'’s future in a building that is a powerful symbol of our rich heritage is a reflection of this generation's wise stewardship.
Plan: Heritage themes will be used to section off the building into multi-use areas. All the space will share staffing and function as the entire building will be an interactive learning library with museum displays. Space to be allocated for traveling exhibits, focused research, formal and informal meeting spaces, and archival storage.
Theoretical examples:
William H. Seward Room: Homage to the man himself to be the room with the small stage. Set up for poetry/literary readings, one act plays, roadshows, music recitals, charity events, wedding receptions, small conferences, Christmas parties, fine art camps, catered luncheons, Our Town meetings, workshops, and book signings.
Pioneer Breakout Rooms: Each small group meeting room to be dedicated to one of our remarkable citizens/families. Decorated in period style with personal history exhibits featuring photos of the city during their residency.
Name of Russian Camp: A scaled interpretative cutaway of the Phoenix retrofitted for childrens readers theater. It will have storage on the inside for books/costumes and a seating area for storytelling in middle. Exterior bookshelves to be stylized waves. Hold teen activity workshops on how to tie knots, navigate using stars, mapmaking. Adjacent adult area with multi-media displays on Phoenix history and overstuffed reading chairs.
Maritime Cafe: Steamship-themed cybercoffeeshop with tables for informal small groups. Against one wall is a dock-style set up with slips, networked computer w/internet access in each slip. Magazines/newspapers/copy machine/electronic records.
Themes worth considering:
State Flag, History, Local Pioneers, Iditarod, Earthquake, Railroad, Native, Ft. Raymond, Founders, Russian America, Architecture, Gateway, All American City -– July 4, Jesse Lee
Seward Centennial Legacy Project Proposal
Iditarod Trail Mile 0 - Beginning of a Challenge
Concept: Asserting Seward's domain as the start of the Iditarod trail.
Justification: Seward has yet to capitalized on this essential element of its heritage. In addition to securing the importance of this legacy, it will also foster year-round development in the tourism sector and as well as enhancing local recreational opportunities.
Plan: Reclaim or remanufacture the statue of the husky Balto which used to guard the gates of the Jesse Lee home, use this as a symbolic tie into the Centennial Legacy Project. Have a dedicated interactive display that includes historic footage in the Centennial Center. Internationally market and hold year-round races on the trail (e.g. 1k, 5k, 10 k charity run; marathon extreme horserace, mountain bike marathon, snowmachine race, cross country ski race, ski-jouring race, and dogsled races.) Have elementary school children design commemorative buttons - one design for each year as opposed to each event.
Seward Centennial Legacy Project Proposal
Sports Center -– Healthy Activities for a Fit Community
Concept: Creating a centralized location for sports activity.
Justification: Need a public athletic facility with year round use close to local schools and neighborhoods.
Plan: Create new offices for the Parks & Rec Departments to facilitate supervision and monitor use. Create such things as a city gym, a teen game room, ice skating rink, basketball courts, equine center, roller skating rink.
Theoretical examples/additional ideas to develop/consider:
Planting trees and perennial flowers to create visual parks around town.
Heated sidewalks downtown using hydropower.
Extending the bike path system.
Building of Phoenix.
Maritime memorial/historic boat displays.
Town citizens who have died in war memorial.
Move city/state shops for better land use of those areas.
Construction of consolidated city offices
Renovating Old Solly building.
Centennial Legacy Committee Members
Willard E. Dunham, Dorene M. Lorenz
Ron Long, Carol Chaudiere, Tanya Sandefur
David Dieckgraeff, Chairman
Staff
Malcolm Brown, Donna Glenz, Patti Linville
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