sitka historical museum

We had some time before our scheduled excursion, so we walked into Centennial Hall. The building itself is full of interesting opportunities to learn. Great historical pictures of historical Sitka. A group had a fund-raising effort by where you could be costumed and pose for pictures with some huskies. We wandered into the museum/gift shop, it is free, but does have a donation box. What caught our eye was an old fashioned weather barometer. Heidi was happy to ship the item to us. It arrived within just a few days, well packaged. We will enjoy this memento of our trip.

The native culture of the Tlingit tribe is well preserved in this small museum. The clothing was fascinating. Some made from fish skins for lighter wear, but intricately stitched and preserved. The art and crafts were also very intricately designed in beautiful colors.

Don't miss the chance to stroll through history. I had a "moment" at the battleground where I swear I heard native drumming. Slow down and drink in the past, imagine the agony, sense the struggles. Met a passionate Interpretive Ranger on the trails who helped us gain a deeper appreciation for the area. The Totem Poles are fascinating.

I ended up here on afternoon, just wanting to see wha this place had to offer, and I ended up with A LOT MORE THAN I PLANNED.... After touring the museum, and grounds, I happened upon a young that was CARVING a TOTEM POLE...he was mostly done, and after talking for a few minutes, we both decided, that we were.."dinosaurs of a kind...!"... He a TOTEM POLE CARVER OF 2 generations, and I a CLOCKMAKER...both of us trained in things that are no longer of much importance to the world...it was an incredible day, and an incredible time spent with a new friend that I WOULD SEE AGAIN...... about three hours later, There came a knocking on the door, and upon answering the door, I met an emissary of the local Tlingit Tribe, and bore a hand written Invitation, for from the CHIEF of THE LOCAL TLINGIT TRIBE...It was a personal INVITATION to me, from the tribe for the upcoming "TOTEM RISING" Ceremony.. as the young man working had earlier told me, we shared something many in this world do not......NEEDLESS TODAY...it is worth a bit of time to visit and walk the paths, the Ancients did...a most interesting visit, that you will LONG remember. I know I will.......

I enjoyed the native artifacts, demonstrations and cultural displayed in the museum. The Russian years of Alaska were of particular interest to me. The museum was well displayed and had very knowledgeable staff willing to assist with any concerns. I am glad I took the time to visit this little museum.

Hayley, Beverly and staff are so friendly and knowledgeable. I was doing genealogical research and they were amazingly helpful. Great little gift shop and a good overview of Sitka's past. Make sure you take time to drop in and say hello. In the Centennial Hall near the Harbor.

Whilst waiting for our tour arrangments, we made use of a quick peruse of the Sitka Historical Museum. I enjoyed all the old photos that adorned the halls of the Natives in particular. Worth a look around!

If want to really learn more of the fascinating history of early Alaska, from the native tribes, to the Russian years, to the gold rush, to modern day this is the place.

A lof of times, you go somewhere, and meet people.. well I met a 3rd Generation Totem Carver, and after a lengthly, we found that we were quite alike, in many ways, The children to day want quick gratification..well this man had children who did NOT want to learn an ageold craft ( TOTEM-Carving) it was too much work...much like the technical end of CLOCK REPAIR..also time consuming... and after meeting with him, he was about 3/4 done a carving that would be mounted in about 4 week ( sometime in March - 91 )..well when I got to where I was staying, the next morning, a young man knocked on the door, with something for me FROM THE Chief of the Tlingit Tribe in Sitka.. a handwritten invitation to a TOTEM rising, WHICH IS A MAJOR EVENT... i WAS FLABERGASTED, TO SAY THE LEAST, and my Host asked what I did to have an invitation by the CHIEF...and I told her of my conversatiom with the Totem Carver I had met the day before... IF YOU EVER MAKE IT THERE... and I HOPE YOU DO...it truely is a place of AWE... the TOTEM in the park ( the walking area ) all tell stories..you really owe it to yourself to see it/them and learn some of the ALASKA History..and to THINK I was brought there to fix a Cuckoo Clock..I will never forget SITKA, it is a home for my soul...forever...

The last day of my trip and I wanted to find something "Sitka-ish" for my family. The other "tourist' shops in town were closed for the 'season' and The Museum had clan-stye rings, siver bracelets and rings, books, handbags, bentwood boxes and plenty of other knick knacks. The best part was that it was all 10% off. Also, take some time to look around the small museum. I remember as a young girl roaming through there are checking out all the models, mounts, photos. It was nice to be able to go there again and I know I would go there again on my next trip to Sitka.

The video (tho' a tad long) is well worth watching ... and the exhibits are well organized & very interesting & informative !Beverly Dexter - the manager - is SOOOO knowledgeable & SOOOOO filled with enthusiasm & willing to share & answer any/all questions -- she's the best !!

This was the only NPS site on our SE Alaska cruise,the rest were USDA because it is the Tongass National Forest. It was well curated with a nice collection, but the real show was the creek, where the salmon were spawning, simply remarkable.

This is not a big museum. Don't expect the Museum of Natural History with huge exhibits. This is a small museum that shows the history of Sitka from it's earliest days until recent. They even have an actual journal there that describes the transfer of Alaska from Russia. They charge a small fee, something like 2 or 3 dollars.

great walking trails along Indian river,good overall example of stream habitats of S.E. Alaska rainforest

The information received and the items displayed. The staff at least here are what I would say are well versed in their respective fields of study and job, history over the area, the items displayed.