DUE TO CONSTRUCTION SHAKES ISLAND IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
The Tribal House of the Bear on Shakes Island in Wrangell, Alaska is a wonderful example of the architecture of the Tlingit Nation. The house, once the home of Chief Shakes, is a replica of the original house erected on the site in the 1800's.
The Chief Shakes tribal house was constructed in 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corp using local carvers and labor. After almost seven decades in the temperate climate of the Tongass National Forest, a massive renovation will begin to replace deteriorating sills and beams. As a fundraiser to match grant funds, this website will offer t-shirts for sale as well as a place to make a donation.
Your donations will help the renovation become a reality!! Gunal'cheesh!
Elder Marge Byrd & Guide Britany Lindley
2012 UPDATE:
Thanks to State of Alaska appropriations and a grant from the Rasmuson Foundation, work continues on the renovation project! We are halfway through adzing the 7,000 square feet necessary for the renovation. The totems have been taken down and a condition assessment has been completed. Concrete has been poured to help alleviate the rot caused by timbers laying directly on the wet soil. Sealaska has donated twelve logs to the project, corner posts will be arriving in Wrangell by the end of May. Tlingit & Haida Housing Authority has signed a long term lease with WCA for property for the carving facility to be built in Wrangell.
