Sealaska Heritage and Walter Soboleff Building, Juneau
The Sealaska Heritage Institute, founded in 1980 to preserve and promote the cultures of Southeast Alaska鈥檚 Native peoples, finds its stunning home in the Walter Soboleff Building, which opened in downtown Juneau in 2015.
More than just a headquarters, the building is itself a vibrant cultural statement鈥攁dorned with monumental works by renowned Native artists such as David A. Boxley, Preston Singletary, and Robert Davidson. From the moment visitors approach the striking red metal panels outside to stepping into the warm, cedar-scented replica of a clan house inside, the building offers an immersive experience into the lifeways and stories of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples.
Inside, the exhibits are rich with meaning and tradition. One highlight is the clan house, where guests can hear ancient stories passed down through generations. Other exhibits showcase Native masks, regalia, and contemporary interpretations of traditional art forms鈥攅ach piece offering insight into the history, identity, and resilience of Alaska Native communities. The Walter Soboleff Building is a space where Native voices lead the conversation, inviting visitors to understand the land and its people from Indigenous perspectives.
A visit wouldn't be complete without stopping at the Sealaska Heritage Store, which features one of the best collections of authentic Alaska Native art and gifts in Juneau. From finely crafted jewelry and hand-carved totems to contemporary apparel and home d茅cor, each item connects guests to Alaska's rich cultural landscape. Even better, every purchase directly supports programs that sustain Native languages, arts, and traditions.
More than just a headquarters, the building is itself a vibrant cultural statement鈥攁dorned with monumental works by renowned Native artists such as David A. Boxley, Preston Singletary, and Robert Davidson. From the moment visitors approach the striking red metal panels outside to stepping into the warm, cedar-scented replica of a clan house inside, the building offers an immersive experience into the lifeways and stories of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples.
Inside, the exhibits are rich with meaning and tradition. One highlight is the clan house, where guests can hear ancient stories passed down through generations. Other exhibits showcase Native masks, regalia, and contemporary interpretations of traditional art forms鈥攅ach piece offering insight into the history, identity, and resilience of Alaska Native communities. The Walter Soboleff Building is a space where Native voices lead the conversation, inviting visitors to understand the land and its people from Indigenous perspectives.
A visit wouldn't be complete without stopping at the Sealaska Heritage Store, which features one of the best collections of authentic Alaska Native art and gifts in Juneau. From finely crafted jewelry and hand-carved totems to contemporary apparel and home d茅cor, each item connects guests to Alaska's rich cultural landscape. Even better, every purchase directly supports programs that sustain Native languages, arts, and traditions.
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Sealaska Heritage and Walter Soboleff Building on Map
Sight Name: Sealaska Heritage and Walter Soboleff Building
Sight Location: Juneau, USA (See walking tours in Juneau)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Juneau, USA (See walking tours in Juneau)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Juneau, Alaska
Create Your Own Walk in Juneau
Creating your own self-guided walk in Juneau is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Juneau鈥檚 architecture tells a story as rich as its gold-laced past. Scattered across the downtown area and nearby neighborhoods are buildings that reflect the city鈥檚 beginnings, its role in Alaska鈥檚 territorial history, and the strength of the local community over time. These landmarks, preserved and repurposed, offer a unique way to trace Juneau鈥檚 past through its physical spaces.
With... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
With... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Juneau Introduction Walking Tour
Alaska鈥檚 capital city is one of the most scenic places in the state, and among the most visited. Long before government buildings and cruise ships arrived, the land was home to the Tlingit people. They built permanent villages along the coast and rivers, thriving through fishing, trading, and a way of life deeply rooted in the region鈥檚 natural rhythms.
The modern chapter of Juneau鈥檚 story... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
The modern chapter of Juneau鈥檚 story... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles