Saxman (aka September in AK part 1)

Last week was an annual business trip to SE Alaska. This time, we went to visit a grantee in Saxman (a predominantly native alaskan village outside Ketchikan). They have an amazing totem park among other cool things...so here are a few shots:

 

These are two of the totems from the park. Cruise ships often bring their people here as a day trip place. One of the historical places is the Cheif's former house. The architectural style was called "balloon" which means that the frame goes from ceiling to floor. Recently, the City of Saxman nominated (and earned for it) the title of most endangered building in SE Alaska. As you can see, because of the frame set-up, the whole building is leaning right on over and will soon fall. Outside the house is this strange modern art kind of totem pole--with eagles on branches. It sits next to a 1700s Russian cannon.

Inside the Community Center is lots of lovely artwork:

Here is a detail from the one on the left: