Colony House Museum
2025 IS A MONUMENTAL YEAR FOR PALMER HISTORY!
HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY COLONY HOUSE MUSEUM! 1995 – 2025
HAPPY 90TH ANNIVERSARY MATANUSKA COLONY! 1935 – 2025
“Wish that you could come over and see our house,” wrote colonists Irene and Oscar Beylund to friends in Wisconsin after their first Christmas in Alaska.
The Palmer Historical Society Welcomes You
Today, just as in years past, the Palmer Historical Society warmly invites you to join us in preserving and celebrating the rich history of our community.
In 1994, a dedicated group of Palmer residents formed the Colony House Preservation Project Committee. Their mission was to restore a colony farmhouse to reflect its original 1935–1945 appearance. While the committee operated independently of the Palmer Historical Society, many of our members played an active role in the effort. In 1998, the project was officially transferred to the Palmer Historical Society, entrusting us with its stewardship, care, and operation.
The result of this vision and hard work is the Colony House Museum, located at 316 E. Elmwood Avenue in Palmer’s Historic District. The museum, along with its original outbuildings, offers a glimpse into rural life in the Matanuska Valley during the Colony’s peak years.
Originally the home of Oscar and Irene Beylund on Tract 94, the house is one of five architectural styles made available to colonist families. It stands today as a representation of what a typical home might have looked like for those who took part in this remarkable chapter of Alaskan history.
The Matanuska Colony Project, launched in 1935 as part of the New Deal, was the largest resettlement initiative of its kind. A total of 203 families from Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota were selected to establish a new farming community in the Matanuska Valley. Alongside these pioneering families were staff and transient workers who contributed to the settlement’s success. This bold social experiment captured national attention at the time and continues to intrigue visitors today—highlighted in the PBS documentary Alaska Far Away.
Palmer’s historical spirit comes alive each year during community celebrations such as Colony Days in June and Colony Christmas in December. These beloved events help keep our heritage vibrant and create lasting memories for residents and visitors alike.
Come experience the legacy—Palmer is the place to make history and memories!
Colony House Museum Hours
June – August
Wednesday through Saturday
12:00pm – 4:00pm
School Field Trips and Private Group Tours are available all seasons –
Please give us a call at 907-745-1935 or email ptownhistory@gmail.com
