In 1987, Jack Williams founded the Fairbanks Historical Preservation Foundation, a public, nonprofit organization. With crucial help from local government, the State of Alaska, and especially the Pioneers of Alaska Igloo No. 4 and Auxiliary No. 8. The foundation led the restoration of the SS Nenana. From 1987 to 1992 the SS Nenana was fully restored to her original beauty. The restaurant and kitchen were removed, and the staterooms were rebuilt. They replaced the mahogany walls in the dining area. The whole ship was stripped, painted, and authentically recreated. The SS Nenana was designated as a national historic landmark on May 5, 1989 (www.nps.gov/places/nenana.htm). Sadly, the Fairbanks Historical Preservation Foundation faltered and came to an end, and it once again became the responsibility of the Fairbanks North Star Borough to maintain her as part of Alaskaland, the park that is now called Pioneer Park.
Dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the SS Nenana sternwheeler in Fairbanks, Alaska