About the Pioneers
How the Pioneers came to be
Alaska has a long, rich, and colorful history based in utilizing its resources. While there were small numbers of indigenous people and early explorers from Russia, the major influx of people to Alaska came just before, during and immediately after the Klondike Gold Rush between 1880 and 1900.
This stampede by tens of thousands of gold seekers from around the world to a vast, unsettled and ungoverned land lead to many hardships, much ingenuity and a dependence upon one another to survive. Often, miners organized themselves to handle the legal and social needs of the hastily formed communities in which they found themselves. Several fraternal organizations throughout the Klondike and Alaska were born as result. The Pioneers of Alaska were not the first of such organizations but it has achieved an amazing record of longevity.
The Pioneers of Alaska were first organized in Nome on February 14, 1907, with the mission:
To preserve the names of Alaska's pioneers on its rolls;
To collect and preserve the literature and incidents of Alaska's history;
And to promote the best interests of Alaska
The original charter of the Fairbanks Men's Igloo No. 4 sports a birch and moosehide frame.
What We Do
Historical Preservation
Social Activities and Community Events
Historical Preservation
Fairbanks Pioneers were key in forming Pioneer Memorial Park, moving the Riverboat Nenana to the Park, and saving many historic cabins of early Fairbanks from decay. One of the cabins, the Kitty Hensley House, was renovated and furnished by the Pioneers to be used as a living museum and shop.
Pioneers built the Pioneer Hal, housing the Pio
Fairbanks Pioneers were key in forming Pioneer Memorial Park, moving the Riverboat Nenana to the Park, and saving many historic cabins of early Fairbanks from decay. One of the cabins, the Kitty Hensley House, was renovated and furnished by the Pioneers to be used as a living museum and shop.
Pioneers built the Pioneer Hal, housing the Pioneer Museum and Big Stampede Show. Igloo No. 4 owns the original Felix Pedro Gold Discovery Claim on Pedro Creek and erected a monument to honor the discovery, which led to the gold rush that founded Fairbanks.
Other monuments and displays have either been contributed to or erected by the Pioneers to commemorate historic events and people in various locations throughout the state. Many are located within Pioneer Park.
Education
Social Activities and Community Events
Historical Preservation
Pioneers share the history of the Tanana Valley and Alaska in general by giving public presentations alone or in tandem with other organizations. Lectures are presented through UAF's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Summer Program, Pioneer winter socials, radio shows and other venues and special events as requested.
History Nuggets
Pioneers share the history of the Tanana Valley and Alaska in general by giving public presentations alone or in tandem with other organizations. Lectures are presented through UAF's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Summer Program, Pioneer winter socials, radio shows and other venues and special events as requested.
History Nuggets, a flashback to early newspaper articles, are posted weekly on this website in the Nuggets section.
ON THE RADIO
KFBX (970 AM) reads a History Nugget every Monday morning between 7 and 8 am. Not always the same one posted each Monday on the Pioneers' website.
KFAR's Problem Corner's host, David Pruhs (660 AM) regularly features Pioneers. On the 3rd Wednesday of each month between 11 am and 12 pm, Pioneer Nick Nugent reveals nuggets of history about Alaska and on the last Wednesday of each month, Pioneer Joan Skilbred discusses local historical topics.
All shows are recorded and are archived on the KFAR website.
Social Activities and Community Events
Social Activities and Community Events
Social Activities and Community Events
There are many events and activities year-round for members and their guests. Some are open to the public as community events.
- Officer Installations (P)
- Regent’s Coronation (P)
- Men’s & Women’s Roll Call dinners (M)
- Annual Bocce Tournament (M)
- Regents' Tea (P)
- Felix Pedro Monument Rededication (P)
- Golden Days Mug-Up (G)
- Annual BBQ & Potluck (G)
- Gra
There are many events and activities year-round for members and their guests. Some are open to the public as community events.
- Officer Installations (P)
- Regent’s Coronation (P)
- Men’s & Women’s Roll Call dinners (M)
- Annual Bocce Tournament (M)
- Regents' Tea (P)
- Felix Pedro Monument Rededication (P)
- Golden Days Mug-Up (G)
- Annual BBQ & Potluck (G)
- Grand Igloo Convention, when hosted in Fairbanks (M)
- Mid-month potluck dinner (G) & historical show (P) during winter months
- Christmas Dinner (G)
- Summer Stampede (G), to various locations.
As a group, members participate in other events during the year such as the Annual 4K Charity Walk where the full entry fee goes to the charity of the entrant's choosing. Many of our Pioneers choose to support the Kitty Hensley House.
Public Works
Senior Inclusion
Social Activities and Community Events
Every Spring, both the Men's and Women's Igloos work together to clean up the Pioneer sections of the historic Clay St. Cemetery and Birch Hill Cemetery. Work parties pick up trash, weed and generally tend the graves of our Pioneer ancestors.
Pioneers from around the state "stampede" to various locations during the summer months. The excu
Every Spring, both the Men's and Women's Igloos work together to clean up the Pioneer sections of the historic Clay St. Cemetery and Birch Hill Cemetery. Work parties pick up trash, weed and generally tend the graves of our Pioneer ancestors.
Pioneers from around the state "stampede" to various locations during the summer months. The excursions will often include a short clean-up of a local cemetery or historical site. Previous stampede locations include Chitina, Eagle, McCarthy, and Wiseman.
Scholarships
Senior Inclusion
Senior Inclusion
Awarded annually by the Igloo No. 4 Foundation to a descendant of Men's Igloo No. 4 or Women's Igloo No. 8. Applicants must be enrolled full-time at a University of Alaska facility for the Fall semester and have completed 12 or more credit hours of classes numbered 100 or above the previous Spring semester. There are additional requireme
Awarded annually by the Igloo No. 4 Foundation to a descendant of Men's Igloo No. 4 or Women's Igloo No. 8. Applicants must be enrolled full-time at a University of Alaska facility for the Fall semester and have completed 12 or more credit hours of classes numbered 100 or above the previous Spring semester. There are additional requirements but if you have met the first three, you may want to consider applying.
The amount of the scholarship varies each year, depending upon the available funds.
Senior Inclusion
Senior Inclusion
Senior Inclusion
The Pioneers have a long-standing tradition of providing support to the aged members of our community. Our members organize to provide rides, social activities, and general assistance to our elderly brothers and sisters.
The Igloos and Fairbanks Pioneer Home have combined activities throughout the year:
- Women's coffee with the female Pionee
The Pioneers have a long-standing tradition of providing support to the aged members of our community. Our members organize to provide rides, social activities, and general assistance to our elderly brothers and sisters.
The Igloos and Fairbanks Pioneer Home have combined activities throughout the year:
- Women's coffee with the female Pioneer residents.
- Men's coffee with the male Pioneer residents.
- Monthly birthday party, Bingo, and shopping.
- Mug-Up dinner.
- Christmas tree decoration.
- Christmas party.
Make a Difference
If you'd like to help the Pioneers with our mission to keep Alaska's history alive, you can make a difference by making a secure donation here. Every little bit counts and we thank you for showing us a little love.
