New Prospector Statue to be Unveiled at Pioneer Museum
A newly-carved statue of an Alaska prospector will soon be joining the Pioneer Museum at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks. This statue, created by artist Amanda O’Neill of Chainsaw Chic Carving, will become a featured addition to the Pioneer Float during the Golden Days Parade. The unveiling of the statue will take place at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday at Pioneer Hall in Pioneer Park.
According to Jim Plaquet of the Pioneers of Alaska, the statue is significant to the Fairbanks mining district’s past and present-day history. The Pioneer Museum board specifically requested the prospector statue to sit outside the museum on the boardwalk to attract visitors and encourage them to explore the museum.
Plaquet explained, “Gold panning and prospecting are integral parts of our early day Fairbanks history and continue to play a role in today’s history. The statue is symbolic to all of Fairbanks, representing our rich history.” He also noted that many members of the Pioneers of Alaska are direct descendants of early mining families.
The Pioneers of Alaska commissioned the creation of this statue in order to highlight the important role that prospecting and mining have played in the development of the Fairbanks area. The statue will serve as a tribute to the individuals who helped shape the history of the region through their work in mining and prospecting.
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Photo credit www.newsminer.com
