Friends of SS Nenana

09/27/2026

Finally, some sunny days and work continues on the stern repair. Painting the wheel.

09/24/2026

We have wrapped up another season on the SS Nenana, sharing the boat's diorama and history with locals and people from around the world.

We couldn't start tours of the upper decks this season, but we are working with park management to do so this coming season.

We had over 33,500 visitors this summer! Thank you to everyone who stopped by and are supporting the repairs of the Nenana.

We love sharing the Nenana's history with you!

09/11/2026

Did some priming and painting, as it was sunny for one day! A little more fit and finish on the main beam, and then we will start the deck cross supports, etc.

We must raise the additional $30,000 to complete the project. Completing this restoration ensures that students, local residents, and visitors from across the country can continue to experience this piece of history firsthand. Because of our official status as a National Historic Landmark, every dollar contributed goes directly toward preserving material integrity that can never be replaced.
Will you help us cross the finish line with a tax-deductible donation?

Donations may be made at:
https://nscfundalaska.org/donations/friends-of-s-s-nenana/

09/06/2026

The backbone (spine) has been installed for the monkey rudder wheel support! Now they can build onto that and continue working.

09/02/2026

Severe rot was found on the starboard side of the monkey rudder support framing. It had to be completely demolished and rebuilt. This was not expected or noted in last season's inspections. These additional expenses have pushed the project over budget. Even with the $20,000 we had in reserve, the project has run $30,000 over budget.

We must raise the additional $30,000 to complete the project. Completing this restoration ensures that students, local residents, and visitors from across the country can continue to experience this piece of history firsthand. Because of our official status as a National Historic Landmark, every dollar contributed goes directly toward preserving material integrity that can never be replaced.

Will you help us cross the finish line with a tax-deductible donation?

Donations may be made at:

https://nscfundalaska.org/donations/friends-of-s-s-nenana/

08/07/2026

The Coal Bunker that was on Illinois Street has found new life on the S.S. Nenana! The wood is being milled to rebuild the rotten section of the stern. The coal bunkers were built in 1932, the same year as the Nenana. This wood is Douglas fir, a tight-grained wood you can no longer get. The same wood that was used to build the Nenana.

07/03/2026

Making progress rebuilding where it is needed.

06/26/2026

Enjoy this video of the diaramas on the SS Nenana by Barbara Knapton.

Sternwheeler SS Nenana. Historic diorama at Pioneer Park in Fairba...

06/26/2026

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly unanimously voted to accept the congressionally delegated appropriation from U.S Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office, which the Friends of SS Nenana secured in 2024 to start repair and painting of the hull in 2027.

We are very excited that there will finally be progress made on painting the boat. The money will go toward repairing and painting the boat's hull, with work starting in 2027.

The bow was rebuilt in 2026 and is now open to the public.

Tours will be conducted on the upper decks once we receive final approval from the FNSB to start!

There is still work to be done, but we have come a long way since the Nenana's closure in 2018 due to safety issues and the possibility of demolition.

We want to thank all the people who have supported us and this project, financially and with their voices, and the Fairbanks North Star Borough for recognizing the importance of saving this National Historic Landmark.

The Nenana is the last wooden hull sternwheeler in the nation! She is truly the Last Lady of the River.

06/11/2026

We were finally able to start work on the stern! They are removing the monkey rudder here for rebuilding. The wood rot was far more severe than we had hoped.