By Cookie Wilde

Hello, people of Skagway, Alaska.

I’d like to introduce myself to you lovely folks—my name is Cookie Wilde. You may have heard my name as a time traveler and working with the wonderful organization that has been active here in Skagway for the past few years: Friends of the Klondike Corridor (FKC.)

We are the official non-profit organization supporting the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Parks in Skagway and Seattle. Together with the National Park Service staff, we’ll be sharing a few news articles this summer to keep you informed about what we’re planning for the year.

Here’s a quick preview of some of the upcoming activities!

For the past few years, FKC has helped educate schoolchildren in Southeast Alaska and Seattle about the history of the Klondike Gold Rush through fun, imaginative games in the classroom and on field trips. We’ve taught them how the stampeders and local Native people lived in 1898 — including what they ate, how they lived, what they packed and even how to make ice cream!

This year will be no different. Beginning in May, Tin Cup Kelly, our other time traveler from 1898, will once again bring the joys and tragedies of the Klondike Gold Rush to life. We will be hosting over 50 students from Angoon, Klukwan, and Haines May 1- 8. If you see them around town, please give them a warm Skagway welcome!

Friends also plans to keep the fun of Junior Ranger Day alive (yes, including ice cream making!) at our base of operations, the Rapuzzi House at 2nd and Main. We’re also planning a fall school field trip event featuring a “Food Travel Through Time”—offering dishes from different decades for kids to sample and enjoy.

I’ll be sure to let y’all know the dates as soon as I find out myself!

Over the summer, you might notice restoration work continuing on the Rapuzzi House! We hope you’ll stop by to see the new roof and learn more about our vision for transforming it into a Living History Time Travel House.

Tin Cup Kelly and FKC are also organizing guided historical tours this summer—from Juneau to Dawson City, Yukon. Invite your family and friends to check them out!

We’ll share more details on these exciting projects in the coming months.

As you know, the National Park Service needs our support now more than ever. If you’re interested in anything I’ve mentioned – whether it’s volunteering, donating, or just staying in the loop – you can visit the official Friends of the Klondike Corridor website at KlondikeCorridor.org. It’s the best way to keep up with all the great events and happenings planned for this year! (Ok – we will post on Facebook too!)

Happy History Ya’ll!