The Bering Land Bridge National Preserve has renovated its center to be a dedicated space to showcase the region’s history through exhibits.
Grey skies didn’t stop more than 40 people from joining the ribbon cutting ceremony in Nome last Friday (9/5). Attendees cheered before making their way inside the renovated space. It’s called the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve Heritage Center.
Beringia was a land bridge that connected Asia and North America during the last Ice Age.
A mural at the new center shows Beringia as it was thousands of years ago — filled with horses, birds, and plants. Bering Land Bridge National Preserve Superintendent Jeanette Koelsch said it tells the story of the region across time.
Bering Land Bridge National Preserve Superintendent Jeanette Koelsch said it tells the story of the region across time.
“It's been 30 years or so that some type of exhibits or more community friendly space has been wanted for the Park Service here in Nome, as well as you know, welcoming to our partners in our communities of Shishmaref, Wales and Deering,” Koelsch said.
The Preserve is a local unit of the National Park Service, and one of the 22 combined National Preserves and Reserves in the country.
Koelsch said the history of the region dwarfs the age of the Preserve. She said that long history is best shared through exhibits. The Park Service has had different locations to share that history over the years, including Nome’s Post Office in the 90’s. Nome-based Sitnasuak Native Corporation joined the Park Service as a key partner in developing the new center.
The center was also shaped by a Tribal Workgroup from the three communities around the Preserve and closest to Nome.
Katie Cullen is the Preserve’s Interpretation and Education Program Manager.
“I think we're always hoping to, you know, have a space that tells a more complete story of of Bering Land Bridge National Preserve’s cultures of the region,” Cullen said.
The exhibits highlight megafauna and plant life of the region over time, and also diverse cultures of the people who call it home. Labels for the exhibits are written first in Inupiaq, then in English, and food ties many of the stories together. Also on display are interactive Inupiaq language stations with voices from two elders and two youth.
“Really gave us an opportunity to kind of share a much more complete story and celebrate culture and have a much more culturally relevant space,” Cullen said.
The exhibit centered around a fish rack with hanging salmon replicas. The center came about with support from various partnerships. The National Park Foundation in partnership with Helmsley Charitable Trust, along with support from local non-profit Kawerak Inc, and Nome resident Jared Miller who constructed the fish rack.
The Heritage Center reopened alongside Sitnasuak’s headquarters. Park staff say they hope it will be a space where the past and present of Beringia comes together through community voices.
