Because of the current economic situation in Alaska, the Board thinks it is in the best interest of the Museum to extend the project timeline until the economic climate improves. Work on the project will continue with existing funds. The design and construction documents will be completed this summer, and updated drawings will be posted when they are available. To take advantage of the competitive construction environment, we plan to complete the site work as soon as possible. We expect to prepare the building site, move the shop, add parking, and create a connection to Spruceview Avenue. We will keep you informed of the progress on the project as we move forward.

If you have any questions, please contact the board of directors via office@prattmuseum.org. We thank all of our donors and supporters for your generous gifts to the Museum, and we hope that you will continue to support our important work in the future.

This Fall the architects and engineers begin refining the building design and are working towards construction drawings. Thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities,the exhibit designer is at work translating the exhibit concept work from the last year into detailed designs. The architect and exhibit designer met with staff in September to begin coordination of structural elements in the exhibit spaces. We look forward to a busy winter developing design details and preparing for the initial site work.

Creek Project Update and Feedback Request

Part of the long-term vision for the Pratt grounds includes daylighting the section of Woodard Creek that currently runs through a culvert under the parking area behind the museum building. This project is in the planning stages now so that it meshes with the site work plans for the capital project to build a new museum building. Opening up this 150 foot section of creek will make a dramatic change in visitor experience, providing stream-based education opportunities as well as benches and outdoor gathering spaces near the creek. Design considerations begin with handling both low and high water flows.

Watch the video to learn more about the project and the different configurations that the stream design may take.

We are currently seeking feedback on the design concept including the placement and type of drop structures (there is an 11′ elevation change over the length of the culvert), and the stream bed profile. We are also beginning to consider vegetation options. This video shows several possible structures and gives a sense of what they might look and sound like. We are collecting feedback on the concept through April 25th. Please send you comments to director@prattmuseum.org, drop them by the museum, or mail to Pratt Museum, 3779 Bartlett Street Homer, AK 99603. Thank you.

Pratt Museum Garners Excellence in the Museum Profession Award

At the Museums Alaska annual conference in Haines last month, the Pratt Museum was honored as the recipient of the association’s Excellence in the Museum Profession Award for the Gray Whale Project. This is the only exhibit or project award given by the association, and recognizes the Pratt once again as a leader among the state’s 80-plus museum institutions.

“More than just an exemplary exhibit, the Pratt Museum’s Encounters: Whales in Our Waterssurpassed the level of public involvement and investment normally considered possible in a community museum exhibition,” said Museums Alaska President Angela Linn. The exhibit project started 14 years ago, in 1999, when museum volunteers collected the carcass of a juvenile gray whale found in Kachemak Bay. Its bones were cleaned by volunteers, catalogued by visiting students, conserved, studied, and finally, during the summer of 2012, articulated under the guidance of local bone expert, Lee Post. In January 2013, the large components (backbone, tail section, skull, flippers), were transported by more volunteers, who carried them into the special exhibits gallery where the whale was suspended—whole again after 13 years.

The only shortcoming to Encounters is that it was, in fact, too short. Although this exhibit lasted six months (longer than any recent exhibit at the Pratt) and caught the early summer visitors, many urged for it to stay in place indefinitely. Luckily, the gray whale’s role in community building is not done. In a couple of years, many of those volunteers are hoped to return to help move their 1773-pound whale once again. When the museum throws open the doors of a new building, the whale will be waiting, in a new permanent installation, to greet its many supporters.

Since completion of schematic design last fall, the Board, capital campaign committee and staff are hard at work on fundraising and exhibit planning. The campaign is focusing on leadership gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations. The public campaign is expected to begin next winter. Although a substantive amount of work remains, the campaign is right on track, receiving positive responses and pledges of support from key foundations and individuals.

We plan to resume the design process with the architects later this year, once the exhibit layout is completed this summer and major elements have been set in place. We do know the gray whale skeleton will be placed in a prominent location at the entryway to the new galleries. Exhibit design and fabrication will continue over the next two years. Also on the horizon for late this year: the start of planning for the art pieces that will be incorporated into the building design.

Thank you to the community for your continued and valued support of the Pratt Museum’s capital project.