A $4,400 grant from the state Office of History and Archaeology will bring the Charlie Anway cabin restoration one step closer to completion.
The grant, awarded to the Chilkat Valley Historical Society, will fund the work of conservator Nicole Peters, who will establish a plan for the restoration of the cabin’s interior. Peters has worked on projects like this across Alaska, including consultation on the Klondike National Historic Park. The renovation plan will focus on features including the living room wallpaper, wood floor in the kitchen and ceiling materials.
Andrea Nelson, who wrote the grant application along with Cynthia “CJ” Jones, said she expects Peters’ work will be completed by the end of the year.
The goal of the historical society is to eventually get the building to a point where it is open to the public for educational opportunities, Nelson said. The cabin was built in 1903 by Charlie Anway, an early homesteader in the Chilkat Valley, who brought attention to the area through his innovative agricultural endeavors.
“His homestead reflects a lot of his presence and intelligence in the way it’s designed,” Nelson said.
The historical society is inviting the public to stop by the cabin on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2-4 p.m. to view the building pre-restoration, and discuss Anway and the restoration with Peters and historical society members.