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NORTH TO ALASKA - By Mary Haegele

© Mary Haegele

This month let's take a look at museums in Alaska. Now I know most folks think of Alaska as the frozen north, the end of the world and how could there possibly be museums there? Well, there are as I am about to prove to you.

The Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum is in Anchorage. It boasts the history of bush pilots, pioneers in avation and military memorabilia. There are 25 planes in this museum, some from the 1920's up to the 60's. Open seven days a week.

In Nome the Carrie M McLain Memorial Museum is located at the public library in Nome. The displays encompass dog races and a history of the peoples of the area and how they live and lived. Plenty of gold rush memorabilia to satisfy you and many photographs from the gold rush era.

Then there is the Skagway Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. This is not a museum inside one building. The whole city of Skagway can be considered a museum with many artifacts from the gold rush period. There are walking trails through the area that miners so feverishly panned gold. There is no charge to visit the area.

In Fairbanks you will find the Dog Mushing Museum. History of the huskies used to haul the sleds throughout Alaska. This museum is not in one location but has exhibits throughout Alaska. It is part of the Fairbanks Community Museum and there is no charge to visit.

As you are probably aware, Alaska depends on a lot more than dog sleds to get around. At the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry in Wasilla you will learn about the history of this important field. The importance of aircraft to the state with few roads is emphasized. If you would like to get up close and personal with locomotives the museum boasts three of them in residence as well as two others. You will also see rare fishing boats including a whaleboat. http://www.alaska.net/~morris/mati1.htmlm

The Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka is the oldest museum in Alaska. It memorializes the missionary from the 1890's, Sheldon Jackson. Native cultures, (Indian and Inuit) items - baskets and clothing and wood carvings are here. You will see totem poles too and beadwork. Open everyday in the summer. Closed on Sunday and Monday in the winter.

The Totem Heritage Center in Ketchikan has the largest collection of totem poles of any museum. There are classes to teach you how to make your own totem! Located in Ketchikan, Alaska on Deermount St. Open every day in the summer.

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