Alaskan Prospector's Society

05/08/2026

Special thank you to Katie Ringsmuth, Alaska State Historian, for telling us all about how Alaska is celebrating America 250!!! Check out all the events she has planned at https://america250.alaska.gov

04/27/2026

We were excited to spend the Saturday at the Little Lithuanian Museum and enjoy some delicious Lithuanian food.

04/22/2026

Special thank you to Katie Writer who joined us tonight for a special talk on flying across Alaska. Check out her website at https://www.katiewritergallery.com/ for amazing photos of her flights and opportunities to fly over Talkeetna!

02/10/2026

Special thanks to Rod Perry, one of the first mushers and organizers of the Iditarod Trail dog sledding competition. Perry gave us insights into the history of the trail, the first year of mushing, and the inside scoop!

01/06/2026

We had the opportunity to get a presentation from the Little Lithuanian Museum in Chugiak, Alaska. Check out their website for more information about this museum!

Opening June 2021 “History and creations of the past tell of the precious existence of the Lithuanian nation and strengthen the consciousness and determination of the living. It is the duty of the living to preserve them with honor and love.”—Stasys Silingas, from Testament to Lithuania, 1939....

12/08/2025

We want to thank David Ramseur again for presenting on Alaska / Russian relations over the past few decades. To learn more about our state's often tumultuous relationship with Russia, check out Ramseur's boo on Amazon!:

Just five years after a Soviet missile blew a civilian airliner out of the sky over the North Pacific, an Alaska Airlines jet braved Cold War tensions to fly into tomorrow. Crossing the Bering Strait between Alaska and the Russian Far East, the 1988 Friendship Flight reunited Native peoples of co...

12/05/2025

Early this year Gene Augustine joined Prospectors to discuss the work being done to restore Alaska’s Engine 557. Check out the work they’re doing!

𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝟱𝟱𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻

In 2013, we completed the disassembly of 557 in preparation for her restoration. The drivers and air pump were shipped to Tennessee for overhaul and essentially every other part had been removed and placed on shelves or in storage containers for their turn to be cleaned, inspected, refurbished, overhauled, or to serve as patterns to fabricate their replacements.

Last month, after 13 years of work and an investment of over two million "real" dollars, over one million dollars in in-kind contributions, and over 500,000 volunteer hours, 557’s boiler was steamed for the first time in 50 years! We are getting very close to 557 moving under her own power, and she is in the best condition she has been in for at least 70 years.

We have now begun our annual fund raising campaign. We anticipate the $85,000 goal will fully fund completion of the overhaul, testing, and crew training in 2026. Future fund raising will supplement ticket income for 2027 operations.

For enticement, three board members have made this challenge - they will match, dollar-for-dollar, all contributions made, up to a total of $20,000.

Please consider a contribution by check, credit or debit card, or Paypal. You are also invited to pay a visit to the 557 Engine House, take a tour, and leave a generous contribution. Contact information for contributions is at https://557.alaskarails.org/support/donate.html

Thank you for your continuing support!

12/03/2025

If you missed Mr. Whitekey's presentation to Prospector's this year, check him out this Sunday signing his book THE VOYAGE OF THE ALASKA UNION at Title Wave Books!

MR. WHITEKEYS BOOK SIGNING EVENT
THIS SUNDAY, DEC. 7; Noon til 3:00
TITLE WAVE BOOKS
Mr. Whitekeys will be signing copies of “The Voyage of The Alaska Union” at Title Wave THIS SUNDAY. There’s no better Christmas gift than the true story of death-defying Arctic survival, the lust for gold, and Scurvy!!
Stop by—I’d love to see you in Spenard.

12/02/2025

Alaskan Prospector's Society celebrated their 80th Birthday Party in 2024. We have been providing presentations from renowned Alaskan scientists, historians, and politicians, and have organized trips around the entire state of Alaska, since before its own statehood. Check out these photos from the celebration and join us for another 80 years!

11/26/2025

On November 18th, Tom Cooper - owner of the Alaskan Horn and Antler Shop in Sterling - shared his experiences collecting and spotlighting Alaskan rocks. With over three decades of experience as a master carver and avid rock hound, Tom is celebrated as one of Alaska's premier artisans, blending his passion for natural treasures with intricate craftsmanship. Known for his stunning antler and horn carvings—often sourced from the wilds of the Kenai Peninsula—Tom's shop is a treasure trove of raw horns, antlers, scrimshaw, stones, minerals, mammoth tusks, and a world-class selection of rocks from Alaska and beyond, including prized Alaskan jade. Check out some of these photos of his finds!