The Seppala House Project
We are preserving the house that Leonhard Seppala lived in during his stay in Nome, Alaska as a miner, inventor, dog breeder, and sled dog racer. Seppala was instrumental in the 1925 Serum Run saving many lives from the Diptheria outbreak in Nome.Dogs like BALTO, TOGO, and FRITZ were once owned by Seppala. This house will be a memorial museum to Leonhard Seppala’s Legacy and the accomplishments he made.
WE WILL NOW BE ABLE TO KEEP YOU INFORMED!
January 2024
Happy New Year! We finally got a webpage designer to help us get into our webpage which we couldn’t do since our original designer unexpectedly passed away. We will not be able to keep you informed!
Covid-19 has kept us locked down from doing the necessary rebuild of the house. Now we can purchase the necessary materials. We just need workers to do the construction.
If you can help, please let’s us know immediately so we can build this Spring!
July 2019
We are proud to announce that the Seppala House has been officially listed as one of the top 10 preservation sites in Alaska for 2019, by the Alaska’s Historical Preservation Society. This make us eligible for state funding and state grants.
On July 1, Urtha Lenharr officially gifted the Seppala House he owned to The Leonhard Seppala House Project Inc. This keeps the house from one person owning it, which was a concern of the Board, and allows MAJOR DONORS to rest easy, that it belongs to the Foundation.
With that said, we are looking for a couple of new Board members with an interest in fund raising, grant writing, and networking with philanthropists who would contribute to preserving this historic building. If anyone fits this bill please email us ASAP. If you have an interest in helping us in any way, please email us as well.
An application has been submitted to the AHPS for funds to cover materials to start reconstruction. A grant request to Wells Fargo Bank has also been sent in for initial start up funds to cover any site engineer consultation needed.
Our Secretary/Treasurer, Martha Ethridge served on the Norman Vaughan Serum Run Foundation. She has requested their Treasurer
turn over any existing funds that remains in their non active account to the Seppala House Project. To date, this effort seems to be favorable. If this is approved, we will be appreciative of whatever amount we can receive.
In Nome, construction worker Ken Do has been corresponding with Urtha and trying to give us estimate of materials needed to get our structure covered with a new tin roof before winter sets in, if we generate enough funds.
Our search for proactive Board Members is a big priority right now. We need folks who love Alaska history, have a strong interest in dogs, and wish to promote the heroic medical aspect of the Serum Run on 1925, the man who introduced the Siberian Husky Breed to this country and the AKC. and honoring the man who brought long distance sled dog racing to the world through the All Alaska Sweepstakes Race of 1908. Please recommend anyone you feel who would be a Go Getter on our Board to the email address on thus site.
We hope as we move further along into this year we will see more physical progress with Seppala ‘s house. 2018 saved the house from destruction. Hopefully 2019 we will start some construction. Keep us in mind when donating to charitable organizations this year.
Happy Trails!
APRIL 25th, 2019
The Seppala House Project is slowly coming together.
Our plan, is to find a permanent location in Nome for the building and then start the restoration. Currently, the building is being stored temporarily, at the Nome Landfill.
Our immediate need is to get funding to move the house this summer ( it is still winter in Nome ) to a suitable, permanent lot. The move from downtown Nome to the landfill cost $3,000 and we can expect around that same fee for the final move.
We are also looking into insurance options to cover the building, and the folks working on it.
We will keep you updated as the project unfolds. Thank you all for your continued support.
JULY 10th, 2018
The Seppala House is safe on the Monofill site and up on blocks. Now we need to assess what materials are needed to start work. Thank you Roger Thomas for a job well done.
JULY 5th, 2018
JULY 4th, 2018
Leonhard Seppala house “footprint”
JULY 4th, 2018
Roger’s been working to shore up the inside, more
heard he built a whole shell inside the house to hold it together,
and has put a trailer under it. It should only be a matter of days
before its traveling.
Roger’s been working to shore up the inside, more
heard he built a whole shell inside the house to hold it together,
and has put a trailer under it. It should only be a matter of days
before its traveling.
JULY 3, 2018
JUNE 25th, 2018
THANK YOU ALL , for placing your confidence in all of us with the LEONHARD SEPPALA HOUSE PROJECT .. House mover Roger Thompson has the old house jacked up , ready to move by tomorrow ( June 26) … As suspected , much of the floor was rotten , and needed to be reinforced with steel … Roger is doing a terrific job , and we thank him , and thanks to Leon Boardway for these photos ….. and all of you who donated and helped .. Now , we need to continue raising more money for the next step , reconstruction of this historic home into an eventual museum for Leonhard Seppala’s legacy … Sepp , Constance and Sigred would be happy … Thank you
JUNE 22, 2018
The Seppala House will have a new residence soon. Although Doug and Janice Doherty were so kind as to offer a temporary place to put Sepps house, it was rather far from town and the City offered a closer location that is a little bit more secure behind a nice high fence. Thanks to David Karp of NAC, Richard Beneville, the Mayor of Nome, Tom Moran, and two of our own Board Members; The Leonhard Seppala House will be taken to monofil site near the famed “Doll House” that Urtha Lenharr restored for the City back in 1976 as a Visitor Center. It is hoped that a team of concerned citizens can be formed later on this year to discuss the preservation of Nome’s Historic buildings. The Leonhard Seppala House Project, Inc will now start to establish a plan for refurbishing the house that Nome’s Hero; Leonhard Seppala lived. We continue to ask for your generous contributions to help make this house alive again for all to see and enjoy. Thanks to Nome folks, the house is safe
JUNE 13, 2018
JUNE 6, 2018
KNOM: Citizens Seek to Save Leonhard Seppala’s House, and Legacy, in Nome – http://www.knom.org/wp/blog/2018/06/01/citizens-seek-to-save-leonhard-seppalas-house-and-legacy-in-nome/
MAY 30, 2018
The Seppala House is currently at 702 Bering Street, in Nome across from Pingo Bakery-Seafood House. It will be taken out of town during the time of reconstruction and remodeling. That location will be near Glacier Creek. Builders, church groups of volunteers, and Construction workers are needed to volunteer their efforts to get this project underway and for advice. It will be a great Summer mission project for any organization.
Stay tune to KNOM for and exclusive interview with the project President, for the full scoop about the house.
Please email us if you can help:seppalahouseprojectinc@gmail.com
Leonhard Seppala introduced the Siberian Husky breed of dogs to the world of sled dog mushing.