����ӰƬ

Photo by Roger Topp.
At his home in Fairbanks in the summer of 2024, Roger Burggraf holds one of the nuggets from his gold collection, which reveals facets of ����ӰƬ’s mining history.

By Theresa Bakker

On a recent winter afternoon at the University of ����ӰƬ Museum of the North, Roger Burggraf placed an extraordinary collection on the table. 

Carefully tucked away in envelopes and little plastic bags were gold samples curated from across the state. From hefty fist-sized nuggets to tiny grains, the items gleamed with significance.

Burggraf was there to meet with the museum’s director and earth sciences curator, Pat Druckenmiller, to discuss the provenance of the individual pieces and how they would fit into the museum’s exhibits.

“The current display is good, but it doesn’t tell the full story,” Burgraff said. “Gold is the lifeblood of this community. People might not realize how much mining contributed to the economy and to Fairbanks. The city wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for mining.”

With that, he and his wife, DeLois, entrusted his personal collection — spanning nearly 50 years of mining — to the university. And now, the museum is building an exhibit worthy of this remarkable gift.

A lifetime in gold

Burggraf’s collection is no ordinary assortment of gold nuggets. It tells a story of discovery, resilience and transformation. From filigree-like structures to smooth, water-worn pieces, each sample reveals a different facet of ����ӰƬ’s mining history.

“It was just my curiosity,” Burggraf said, explaining what first drew him to gold. “I was interested in how the gold came to be.”

He picked up a particularly smooth nugget, holding it to the light. “Now, you can see this here — this is from a location out at Sheep Creek. See how smooth the gold is? It’s really beautiful.”

Over the decades, he worked in some of ����ӰƬ’s historic mining areas, using methods that ranged from traditional panning to metal detecting. “We would take a metal detector, get into a rich area, take a metal detector over it, and if we found big gold, we’d process it through our wash plant.”

His donation to the museum includes not only gold in its raw, natural state but also samples that showcase the geological story of its formation. “You could generally tell the gold was mostly found in quartz,” he said. “And so you’d look for a quartz vein.”

Burgraff came to ����ӰƬ in 1953. He worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and served in the U.S. Army. He held the position of commander for the Fairbanks National Guard unit from 1961 to 1963. He worked in banking and resource development and is often consulted for his historical perspective and experience.

“You might say I’ve done quite a few things,” he said.

Burggraf may be best known for his passionate support of the mining industry. He once owned the Grant Mine on Ester Dome and was a placer miner operating outside of Wiseman, near Coldfoot. Many people recognize him as the guy with a gold nugget in his pocket. He’s well known for exhibiting his mining artifacts and nuggets at events like the Tanana Valley Fair.

Anna Atchison, U.S. director of external affairs for Kinross Gold Corp., has been a colleague and friend for many years. She said this donation is a fitting testament to the role 

Burggraf has played in the community.

“Roger shows up," she said, “with a warm smile, a big heart and a voice borne of wisdom. He shows up for his community, for mining and its historical and economic significance. And, for the university.”

A museum exhibit to tell the story

To honor Burggraf’s contribution, the museum is designing a new exhibit on the history of ����ӰƬ gold mining. More than just a display of dazzling gold nuggets, the exhibit will take visitors on a journey from the small claims of the early 20th century to the large-scale industrial efforts of today.

Druckenmiller said there is a high level of excitement in the community surrounding this gift and  the upcoming display. “Roger’s donation caps many years of distinguished service and support for the museum. Gold is a subject that captivates the public; once the new ����ӰƬ gold exhibition is finished, his amazing collection will be on display to generate wonder and excitement for years to come.”

With wall panels, interactive elements and audio recordings of Burggraf sharing insights in his own words, the exhibit will bring the past to life. The centerpiece will consist of a custom-built display case featuring a geologic map of Interior ����ӰƬ, with artifacts mounted directly over key mining locations.

“We are honored to accept Roger’s amazing gold collection,” Druckenmiller added. “His donation is very exciting for a couple of reasons. First, it has scientific and geological value because it includes beautiful gold examples from across ����ӰƬ. But it also has an undeniable ‘awe factor’ — amazing nuggets that generate excitement and wonder in everyone who sees it. The new gold exhibit will be very popular with museum visitors.”

The museum is now raising funds for the design, installation and long-term maintenance of the exhibit. Donations are being accepted on this through noon on March 21, 2025. Those interested in supporting the exhibit can also make a gift by contacting the museum. 

A public reception is also planned for spring 2025 to celebrate Burggraf’s donation and the legacy it represents.

A lasting legacy

For Burggraf, gold mining has never been just about the metal — it’s about the people, the history and the way it has shaped ����ӰƬ’s communities. “Gold was what started it all,” he said. “It’s a geological story, but it’s also part of our history.”

The exhibit will be a multiyear project, with installation targeted for early 2027. The museum is committed to telling a balanced and comprehensive story.

“This donation is a small thing compared to other contributions to the university,” Burggraf said. But to those working to preserve ����ӰƬ’s history, it’s anything but small.

As he walked away from the museum that day, Burggraf left behind something more valuable than gold: a piece of history, to be preserved for generations to come.

Theresa Bakker is the development and alumni relations director and editor of the Aurora magazine.