Ruth Kilcher Mariott Collection Archive & Pratt Museum Receive Grant from The Jack Kagan Foundation
Homer, Alaska (March 20, 2026) – Pratt Museum
The Jack Kagan Foundation Awards the Ruth Kilcher Mariott Collection Archive and Pratt Museum $5,000 in Support of their “Weaving Threads of the Last Frontier” Material Culture Collaborative Project.
The Pratt Museum and Ruth Kilcher Mariott Collection Archive are grateful to be the recipient of a $5,000 grant award from The Jack Kagan Foundation. This contribution will support the Weaving Threads of the Last Frontier (Weaving Threads) material culture project.
The Ruth Kilcher Mariott Archive collection chronicles the life of Ruth as a homesteader, a mother of eight, and an accomplished poet. Ruth was an impressive historical figure and a powerful storyteller. By investigating not only Ruth’s written works, but also cultural objects like clothing, a richer and more intricate account of Ruth’s life as a homesteader will be understood.
This award will directly support intern stipends, collections research, and the continued development of the Weaving Threads material culture project and exhibition. Because of this support, these two organizations can collaborate to sustain meaningful, hands-on archival training while preserving and interpreting an important chapter of Alaska’s homesteading history.
The Weaving Threads project will support an exhibition that highlights the women of the homestead era (1940s-1960s) and their contribution to their families as well as their individual artistry. Life during this time was harsh, yet homestead women like Ruth Mariott Kilcher were able to not only survive, but create beauty and comfort for their families, their communities, and for themselves. Sewing, knitting, crochet, looming, weaving, and other craft married utility with creative expression and is a profound and valuable example of self.
This work carries both historical and generational significance. Capturing oral histories, digitizing materials, and stewarding artifacts while elders are still able to share their memories is time-sensitive work. This contribution allows these organizations to move forward with purpose and urgency, ensuring that these stories are preserved with care and professional standards.
About the Jack Kagan FoundationThe Jack Kagan Foundation was established to continue and expand the philanthropic work that Mr. Jack Kagan conducted during his lifetime, focused on helping others in need that were not as fortunate as he was.They focus on four main themes for giving, including veterans, children, medicine, and community. Learn more by visiting their website https://jkaganfoundation.org/
About the Ruth Kilcher Mariott Collection Archive This organization chronicles the life of Kachemak Bay homesteader Ruth Weber Kilcher Mariott, including diverse materials, ranging from poetry collections to cookbooks, photographs, and more, preserving these precious artifacts for future generations. Learn more by contacting Catkin Kilcher Burton, Curator of the Ruth Kilcher Mariott Collection, at catkin.kilcher.burton@gmail.com.
About the Pratt Museum The mission of the Pratt Museum is to strengthen relationships between people and place through stories relevant to Kachemak Bay. It fulfills its mission by facilitating engagement between community members and strengthening understandings of our shared place. Through these activities, the unique relationship between the people and places of Kachemak Bay will be sustained far into the future. The Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11am to 4pm. Beginning May 5, 2024, the Museum will be open daily from 10am – 6pm. Visit the Pratt Museum at 379 Bartlett Street in Homer. Tel (907) 235-8635. More information is available at https://www.prattmuseum.org/.
Contact Whitney Harness, Executive Director, tel (907) 435-3333, email director@prattmuseum.org
