Museum culture in Ketchikan!

Totem Heritage Center

Why Visit?

Discover the Rich Cultural Tapestry at Ketchikan"s Totem Heritage Center

Getting There: Located in the charming coastal town of Ketchican, Alaska, the Totem Heritage Center is a must-visit for anyone fascinated by Native American history and culture. If you’re arriving via cruise ship, it"s conveniently just a short bus ride or a scenic 20-minute walk from the cruise ship terminal. For those flying in, Ketchikan International Airport is your gateway, followed by a quick taxi ride to the museum.

Start Your Tour: Begin your visit early in the morning to enjoy the serene atmosphere. The Center opens its doors at 8 AM, allowing you to explore in quiet contemplation before the crowds arrive. Purchase your tickets at the entrance; admission fees are modest and go towards the preservation of these incredible artifacts.

Main Attractions: The Totem Heritage Center houses one of the world’s largest collections of unrestored 19th century totem poles. Each pole tells a story, rich with symbolism and history. Start at the Naa Kaani Room to view poles that were retrieved from the Tlingit and Haida villages. These intricately carved totems stand as a testament to the craftsmanship and cultural depth of the Native Alaskan tribes.

Engage and Learn: Don’t miss the scheduled guided tours offered twice daily. These tours provide insightful narratives into the symbolism behind the totemic art, clan stories, and the restoration processes. The guides are often Native Alaskans, offering personal reflections that enrich the visitor experience.

Interactive Sessions: Participate in one of the hands-on workshops where you can learn the art of carving from local artisans. It’s a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the cultural practices and perhaps carve a small keepsake to take home.

Wrap up your visit by exploring the gift shop, where you can purchase authentic Native crafts, jewelry, and books. Each item sold supports the local indigenous communities, helping to preserve their heritage and traditions.

Plan Your Visit: Remember that the Totem Heritage Center is a place of respect and learning. Ensure you allow at least 2-3 hours for a full visit, and check the local weather in Ketchikan, as it can be rainy!

Closing: As the day winds down, reflect on the profound history and resilience of the Tlingit and Haida cultures, perhaps over a cup of locally brewed coffee in nearby downtown Ketchikan.

Museum Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to museum travelers.

Port of Ketchikan

Why Visit?

Discovering the Cultural Treasure Trove of Ketchigan: A Museum Tour Itinerary

Morning: Start at the Tongass Historical Museum

Begin your day at the Tongass Historical Museum, a short walk from the cruise ship docks. Open from 8 AM, it"s the perfect spot to delve into the rich history of Ketchikan and the surrounding region. Explore exhibits that tell tales of the Native peoples, the fishing industry, and the timber trade that shaped the island. Don"t miss the stunning photography collections that capture the essence of early 20th-century life in Alaska.

Mid-Morning: Totem Heritage Center

Next, head to the Totem Heritage Center, located about a mile north of the historical museum—a leisurely 20-minute walk or a quick ride by local bus. Home to one of the world’s largest collections of unrestored 19th century totem poles, this museum offers a profound insight into the indigenous Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures. Join a guided tour to hear the stories and symbolism behind these magnificent carvings.

Lunch Break: Grab a Bite at Creek Street

Stroll down to nearby Creek Street, a historic boardwalk perched on pilings over Ketchikan Creek. Here, you can enjoy fresh local seafood and other delicacies at one of the charming eateries, surrounded by picturesque views of the creek and its frequent bald eagle visitors.

Afternoon: Southeast Alaska Discovery Center

After lunch, make your way to the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. This modern facility is less than a ten-minute walk from Creek Street. Through interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations, the center provides a comprehensive overview of Southeast Alaska’s natural and cultural heritage. Pay special attention to the rainforest room, where you can learn about the unique ecosystem of the Alaska Panhandle.

Evening Reflection

Wrap up your museum tour with a quiet walk along the marina, reflecting on Ketchikan’s storied past and vibrant culture, perhaps catching a glimpse of a seaplane heading out against the stunning backdrop of the setting sun.

This itinerary provides a full yet leisurely exploration of Ketchikan’s rich museum culture, all conveniently accessible and immensely enriching.

Museum Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to museum travelers.

Tongass National Forest

Why Visit?

Embark on a fascinating journey through the lush landscapes and rich cultural tapestry of Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States. Spanning across Southeast Alaska, this expansive area offers not only breathtaking natural scenery but also a profound glimpse into the region"s cultural heritage.

Starting Point: Ketchikan

Begin your adventure in Ketchirk, accessible by plane or ferry from major Alaskan cities like Anchorage and Juneau. Dive into local culture at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. Interactive exhibits provide insights into the forest’s ecosystem and the traditions of the indigenous Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples. Don"t miss the Native art demonstrations, where you can see master carvers work on totem poles and learn about their symbolic meanings.

Travel to Juneau

Next, head to Juneau by a short flight or via the Alaska Marine Highway System. In Juneau, visit the Alaska State Museum. The museum showcases a comprehensive collection of historical artifacts, fine art, and natural history displays that narrate the story of Alaska"s Native populations and the exploration and settlement by the Russians and Europeans.

Continue to Sitka

Your final stop is in Sitka, a scenic coastal town rich in Tlingit history. Reach Sitka by plane or ferry. The Sheldon Jackson Museum, housed in one of the oldest buildings in Alaska, holds an exceptional collection of Native artifacts. Each piece tells a story, from intricately woven baskets to ceremonial masks, offering deep insights into the indigenous ways of life.

Throughout your tour, take time to stroll through the towering Sitka spruces and breathe in the fresh air of the Tongass National Forest, keeping an eye out for bald eagles and the occasional bear. This journey through Tongass is not just a visual delight but a profound reminder of the deep, interconnected relationship between the land and its people.

Museum Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to museum travelers.

Saxman Native Village

Why Visit?

Embark on a culturally enriching journey to the Saxman Native Village, located just south of Ketchikan, Alaska. This small village is not only a testament to the rich heritage of the Tlingit people but also a living museum of totemic art, traditional crafts, and indigenous practices.

Getting There: Saxman is easily accessible by road from Ketchician, just a 10-minute drive away. You can rent a car, take a taxi, or join a guided tour that includes transportation.

Start Your Tour at the Saxman Totem Park: Enter the mystical world of the Tlingit as you stroll through the Saxman Totem Park, home to one of the largest collections of totem poles in the world. Each pole tells a story, steeped in folklore, history, and ancestral pride. Join a guided tour to gain deeper insights into the symbolism and significance of the carvings.

Visit the Clan House: Next, head to the Beaver Clan House, a striking community house adorned with intricate carvings and paintings. Inside, you might witness a traditional dance performance, where villagers don elaborate regalia and share their ancestral stories through movement and music.

Explore the Carving Shed: A visit to Saxman would not be complete without stopping by the carving shed. Here, you can watch skilled artisans breathe life into cedar wood, crafting new totem poles and other items using age-old techniques handed down through generations.

Shopping and Souvenirs: Before leaving, stop by the Village Store where you can purchase authentic handcrafted souvenirs, from jewelry to carved masks. Each piece is a unique representation of Tlingit artistry.

Practical Tips: Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for the rain, typical of the Southeast Alaskan climate. Most tours last about 2 hours, making it a perfect half-day excursion.

Visiting Saxman Native Village offers a profound glimpse into the living history and enduring traditions of the Tlingit people, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in the cultural heritage of Alaska.

Museum Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to museum travelers.

Inside Passage

Why Visit?

Embark on a captivating cultural voyage through Alaska"s Inside Passage, a mysterious waterway fringed by fjords, lush greenery, and a rich tapestry of Indigenous art and history. Your museum tour begins in the charming coastal city of Juneau.

Day 1: Juneau - Alaska State Museum

Start your adventure in Juneau, where you can dive deep into Alaska’s diverse cultures and history at the Alaska State Museum. Accessible by a short taxi ride from Juneau International Airport, this museum offers a magnificent array of exhibits, from Tlingit totem poles to Russian colonial artifacts. Don’t miss the expansive collection of Native Alaskan artifacts, which tell the story of the region"s original inhabitants through beautifully crafted tools, garments, and artworks.

Day 2: Skagway - Skagway Museum

From Juneau, take a breathtaking ferry ride through the Inside Passage to Skagway, known for the Klondike Gold Rush. Here, visit the Skagway Museum, where you"ll find captivating exhibits highlighting the town"s gold rush history alongside displays of Tlingit crafts. The museum, located a short walk from the ferry terminal, also offers detailed narratives on the challenging lives of the stampeders and the transformation of Skagway during the gold rush era.

Day 3: Sitka - Sheldon Jackson Museum

Next, hop on another scenic ferry ride to Sitka, a city where Russian and Native cultures intertwine. The Sheldon Jackson Museum, within walking distance from the Sitka ferry terminal, houses an exceptional collection of Native artifacts, including rare baskets, beadwork, and traditional carvings. Each artifact in this oldest museum in Alaska, founded in 1888, tells a unique story of the diverse indigenous peoples of Alaska.

Finish your museum tour by soaking in the breathtaking views of Sitka’s volcanic coastline. Each location on your journey not only enriches your understanding of the Pacific Northwest’s cultural heritage but also leaves you mesmerized by the natural beauty of Alaska’s Inside Passage.

Museum Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to museum travelers.