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GREATER ANCHORAGE AREA INCORPORATED. Fur Rendezvous; 1938-1939, 1947-1978. 13 cu. ft. Inventory.
The first annual "Winter Sports Carnival" was held in Anchorage in February, 1936. In 1937, the name was changed to "Winter Sports Tournament and Fur Rendezvous." The central events were a fur auction, skiing, basketball, and hockey. The Fur Rendezvous was suspended in 1942 for the duration of World War II and resumed again in 1946. The event was managed at different times by civic groups, fraternal and service organizations, special committees, and the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. The Fur Rendezvous was taken over in 1955 by Greater Anchorage Area Incorporated, a non-profit civic organization, and was gradually expanded into a ten-day event. Fur Rendezvous events include: the World Championship Sled Dog Race (begun in 1946); the Women's World Championship Sled Dog Race (begun in 1953); a fur auction; a carnival; the Miners and Trappers Ball; a dog weight pulling contest; a snow machine race; and numerous displays, exhibits, and other activities.
The collection consists primarily of the historical and subject files of the Fur Rendezvous. Included are: press releases, correspondence, minutes, newspaper clippings, financial reports, organizational material for various events, tickets, permits, and other records. There is also a set of photographs by Ward Wells showing a wide variety of Fur Rendezvous events for the years 1952-1982; a set of Rondy Booster Buttons, 1974-1984; and incomplete set of Rondy Collector Buttons, 1965-1984; a set of Rondy Annuals, 1951-1981 (1968 missing); and various pamphlets and brochures.
The collection was placed on deposit in the archives in 1980 by the organization. Additional material is added periodically.
HMC-0121