Contributed by Kerry Nelson
This year’s season of thanks could not have come at a more appropriate time for us here at the Musk Ox Farm, as we settle into our newly renovated Colony Barn & Education Center – a project that has successfully breathed another eighty-five years into its old bones, beautifully intertwining the past with the present. The list of what we have to be thankful for will surely only continue to grow as the fresh reality of what it means to be moved in to this incredible, functional, plumbed, heated space after the very long, highly anticipated wait sinks in.
We held our Colony Barn Renovation Grand Opening & Building Commemoration before the Thanksgiving holiday, opening our very new doors to the public while highlighting the rich history of our organization as the Musk Ox Farm and the original Lentz colony family residing here before us. The event was a smashing success, with an incredible turnout and showing of support from local media, local leaders and community members. A giant ribbon was cut, toasts were made, and smiles were had as visitors made their way around the new space to satisfy their curiosities.
We would love to extend an enormous thank you to all who were able to come out and show your support. We are so grateful to our wonderful community and the love you have shown us over the years. This project is as much for all of you as it is for our organization. Those who were not able to attend were on our minds as we celebrated this unforgettable milestone in our history. Special thanks to Wolf Architecture, H. Watt & Scott, Pipit Construction, Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau, Barbara Lentz-Thomas and the Palmer Chamber of Commerce for helping us commemorate the building, and for sharing your thoughts and experience of the project. It made the day truly special, and we are tremendously lucky.
As we bask inside the glow of our shiny new building, we welcome the holiday hustle and bustle with open arms, ready to take advantage of the years of hard work that went into this project and finally share it with all of you. We’ve eagerly begun the next phase of designing an interactive musk ox museum, and cannot wait to launch educational programming for the benefit of all. Come out for a visit to truly take in this next chapter of our organization, of your Musk Ox Farm. See an incredible piece of Palmer history, and of course – say hello to the musk oxen!
WINTER HOURS: Wednesday – Saturday, 11am – 4pm, with farm tours running at 12:30pm & 2pm. Tours can be booked online at muskoxfarm.org, or call 907-745-4151. Continue to shop locally with us this season for unique holiday finds! Our gift shop is filled with loads of qiviut yarn & garments and a variety of musk ox-inspired gifts made by local artists.
The Musk Ox Farm is also proud to be a participating business in Palmer Chamber’s Shop Palmer this year! Every time you spend $10 with us, you get a stamp. Spend $100 and you get entered to win a $1000 VISA gift card – drawing to take place on Friday, December 20th. BONUS: one skein of qiviut or one qiviut garment will fill up your whole card. It’s a win-win!
