Culture Gets Connected: “Our People Speak” and “Language Journeys” Series
Connect with authentic Alaska Native culture through live and recorded talk shows about Native languages, traditional Alaska Native ways and life skills, storytelling, and more. At noon on the third Friday of the month Elders’ organization Denakkanaaga (with generous support from Doyon, Limited) presents “Our People Speak,” discussing Alaska Native culture through the seasons. On the last Friday of each month at noon Doyon Foundation offers “Language Journeys,” where students of Alaska Native languages talk about their learning experiences. View programs live as they air, or check out the archive here.
Alaska Native Gift Shop Launches Online
The best source for authentic, Native-made Alaskan arts, crafts, and souvenirs, the Alaska Native Gift Shop is back by popular demand, now online here. All items in the Alaska Native Gift Shop are purchased directly from the artists who made them, creating a unique opportunity for rural makers to share their creations with visitors from all over the world.
111-Year Old Gould Cabin Added to National Historic Register
Well into its second century, the historic Gould Cabin has been named to the National Historic Register! Constructed in 1910 and having stood on its location near the main entrance of the Morris Thompson Center for 111 years, it is the oldest residence still at its original location in downtown Fairbanks. It was named for the original owners and early Fairbanks pioneers Mary Ellen and Walter Gould. Alaska Public Lands Information Center staff prepared the nomination for the cabin, where in summer guided tours are available and Center staff plant and tend a flower and vegetable garden, including hanging fuchsias ,in memory of Mrs. Gould’s award-winning entry in the 1915 Fairbanks agricultural fair. The veggies from the garden go to the Stone Soup Cafe. Please stop by and take a look at this historic little building and its beautiful garden.
Summer 2021 Schedule*
The MTCVC building and its exhibits:
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Explore Fairbanks Visitor Services:
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Alaska Public Lands Information Center:
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Alaska Geographic Gift Shop:
11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday
The Alaska Native Gift Shop:
Online only, here.
*Our free movies are paused as of summer 2021
Morris Thompson Center Goes Greener with GVEA GoodCents Grants
With a generous GVEA GoodCents Grant we installed solar sensors to turn off our lobby lights when the sun is shining in. This project builds on our 2019 conversion to LED , also supported by GoodCents. Our data indicates these projects have saved LOTS of electricity: In January 2021, for example, we saved the equivalent of an average U.S. household’s annual electricity use! Thanks, GVEA GoodCents!
Fairbanks Airways Will Be Busier Than Ever in 2021
Explore Fairbanks worked with the Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) to increase flight capacity from the lower forty-eight by 30% compared to 2019! The FAI summer ‘21 schedule is bustling with new flights and new carriers. Remember to tell the visitors you meet to make the Morris Thompson Center their first stop in Fairbanks!
Welcoming Fort Wainwright’s New Arrivals to Fairbanks
Explore Fairbanks and the Chamber of Commerce are leading weekly tours to introduce Fort Wainwright newcomers to Fairbanks. The program started in early 2020, bringing new arrivals to visit our center and learn about opportunities for discovery, education, and recreation offered by our partners, followed by a tour of the downtown area. We hope to see them back here often throughout their stay in Interior Alaska.
Warm Welcome to Scott McCrea
Explore Fairbanks’ director of tourism and convention sales Scott McCrea is taking the helm at Explore Fairbanks, rolling out new initiatives including a monthly virtual coffee hour with Explore Fairbanks members that will help him keep in touch with the challenges and progress of visitor industry recovery from COVID-19. “I’m excited to have this opportunity and to continue on with the great work that outgoing President Deb Hickok has done over the years along with the fantastic team here at Explore Fairbanks,” he shared with us. “Part of that excitement also has to do with the important partnerships and collaborations that we have here within MTCVC, which I believe are true embodiments of what the Golden Heart of Alaska is all about.” Welcome, Scott! An interview with outgoing President and CEO Deb Hickok is available here.
A New Face on the MTCVC Team
In February we welcomed AmeriCorps VISTA Project Development volunteer Diana Sevier to our team. She is helping the Morris Thompson Center and its partners develop their Alaska Native cultural programs. Diana came to us from Tennessee, where she was working with the state park system and local schools to create environmental and cultural programs to benefit the public. She received her B.S. in Biology and minored in Anthropology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In her free time, Diana enjoys the great outdoors, getting her hands dirty in the garden, and creating crafty creations. Thanks for your service, Diana! Learn about VISTA here.
