Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Members Tour Site Summit
Members of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee toured Site Summit on Thursday morning despite low clouds that obscured the site's incredible views! Military Affairs Committee Chair and City Manager George Vakalis spoke about his experience with Site Summit as a Battalion and Garrison Commander. He observed that during the 1990s Army commanders were under incredible pressure to demolish Site Summit because it was viewed as excess infrastructure. He noted that many commanders have recognized the significance of Site Summit and resisted pressure to demolish it.
FONSS Director Jim Renkert spoke about the work that FONSS has done over the summer and FONSS' vision for guided tours of the site, and the need for funding to continue work next year. National Park Service Historian Darrell Lewis spoke about the incredible lengths that the military went to for the defense of our nation during the Cold War, observing that the military blew off 60 feet of Mt. Gordon Lyon in the construction of the Battery Building. He went on to point out the steel tie rods used to hold the building on the mountain during the intense wind storms that buffet the mountain! Army Cultural Resource Manager Lisa Graham noted that the clamshell radar enclosures were an adaptation for the Arctic environment.
Jim concluded the tour by showing attendees photos of the nearly restored Sentry Stations as they appeared in June and asked them to look at the buildings as they exited the site.
FONSS Director Jim Renkert spoke about the work that FONSS has done over the summer and FONSS' vision for guided tours of the site, and the need for funding to continue work next year. National Park Service Historian Darrell Lewis spoke about the incredible lengths that the military went to for the defense of our nation during the Cold War, observing that the military blew off 60 feet of Mt. Gordon Lyon in the construction of the Battery Building. He went on to point out the steel tie rods used to hold the building on the mountain during the intense wind storms that buffet the mountain! Army Cultural Resource Manager Lisa Graham noted that the clamshell radar enclosures were an adaptation for the Arctic environment.
Jim concluded the tour by showing attendees photos of the nearly restored Sentry Stations as they appeared in June and asked them to look at the buildings as they exited the site.
Sentry Station Project Nears Completion as FONSS Prepares for Big Tour!
FONSS Director Jim Renkert looks at home in Sentry Station #1!
Jim Renkert, Bob Mitchell, Tom Robson, Bruce and Wanda Long, Van and Ian Grainge, and Darrell Lewis braved wind and rain on Saturday to get the Sentry Station Restoration nearer to completion! Wanda and Darrell attempted a first coat of trim on Sentry Station 2 but rain got the best of them. Bob focussed on getting a window muntin in Sentry Station 1, in anticipation of installing windows this week. Tom, Jim, Bruce, Van, and Ian focussed on Sentry Station 3, installing sheet rock and removing paint. See more Sentry Station Restoration Photos.
A BIG BIG thank you goes out to Wanda for providing lunch for Saturday's crew! The spicy hot dogs, chili, and hot chocolate really helped keep the crew going in the cool, wet weather!
FONSS will show off this summer's work and share their vision for Site Summit on Thursday when members of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee and Anchorage Historic Preservation Commission tour the site. FONSS Director Jim Renkert said of the upcoming tour, "We are pleased to have this opportunity to show Chamber and Preservation Commission representatives this mountain top fortress and the efforts that are going on to preserve it as a Cold War monument..."
Sentry Station restoration is nearly complete, with about two days of work left. Bob Mitchell will lead weekday crews as weather and Army training schedules permit. The focus will be installing windows and doors on all three Sentry Stations, trim and touch-up paint on Sentry Stations 1 and 2, and interior work on Sentry Station 3. If you are available to volunteer next Saturday please contact us at fonss2007@gmail.com. If you are available, on short notice, during the week please contact Bob Mitchell at mitchell@ptialaska.net. Bob estimates that four people could have all three Sentry Stations ready for window installment in a day.
Work parties are planned for:
Saturday, September 4th
A BIG BIG thank you goes out to Wanda for providing lunch for Saturday's crew! The spicy hot dogs, chili, and hot chocolate really helped keep the crew going in the cool, wet weather!
FONSS will show off this summer's work and share their vision for Site Summit on Thursday when members of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee and Anchorage Historic Preservation Commission tour the site. FONSS Director Jim Renkert said of the upcoming tour, "We are pleased to have this opportunity to show Chamber and Preservation Commission representatives this mountain top fortress and the efforts that are going on to preserve it as a Cold War monument..."
Sentry Station restoration is nearly complete, with about two days of work left. Bob Mitchell will lead weekday crews as weather and Army training schedules permit. The focus will be installing windows and doors on all three Sentry Stations, trim and touch-up paint on Sentry Stations 1 and 2, and interior work on Sentry Station 3. If you are available to volunteer next Saturday please contact us at fonss2007@gmail.com. If you are available, on short notice, during the week please contact Bob Mitchell at mitchell@ptialaska.net. Bob estimates that four people could have all three Sentry Stations ready for window installment in a day.
Work parties are planned for:
Saturday, September 4th