Several groups have been working for the last few years on reclaiming this space from nature, but it is a difficult task with numerous challenges. It is our intent to support their efforts.
Jamiann Hasselquist, the President of Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 2, and Laury Scandling of the Gastenau Historical Society gave a presentation on this issue at our November 17, 2023 meeting at 6:30 PM at the Juneau Yacht Club.
A resolution was unanimously passed by membership, supporting the CBJ maintaining the Douglas cemeteries. In our efforts to assist the CBJ to this end, we designated funds to pay for the quiet title transfer of the lands to CBJ. Bruce Bothelho is overseeing this effort.
The Board of Directors of the Pioneers of Alaska Juneau Igloo are considering future projects that would be appropriate for us to take in the restoration of the historic Douglas cemeteries. Recommendations include purchase of place signage, interpretative signage, replacement of missing markers and repair of damaged markers, mapping of grave sites, collection and publication of stories of those buried on this website, getting the cemeteries listed on the National Historic Register, and data input to sites such as Find-A-Grave of those interred in the cemeteries.
Once the cemeteries are squared away adding flags on Memorial Day and Alaska Day, as appropriate, as well as POA markers on member graves have been suggested as ongoing ways to recognize and honor our early area residents.
For additional information about the cemeteries see the following articles:
Volunteers Hope for City Support in Cleaning Up Douglas Island Graveyards
Neglected and Forgotten: Volunteers Work to Restore Native Grave sites in Juneau