Tongass Historical Museum, Ketchikan
The Tongass Historical Museum offers a compact yet rich journey through the vibrant history of Alaska's First City. Located in the heart of town, this small but engaging museum showcases thousands of artifacts, photographs, and art pieces that bring to life the region鈥檚 past鈥攆rom prehistoric fossils and Tlingit culture to the gold rush, timber industry, and cannery boom.
The museum's exhibits are thoughtfully curated to cover all the defining aspects of life in southeast Alaska. Displays include detailed insights into local logging practices, the rise of pulp mills, the importance of salmon fishing, and the influence of Native traditions such as totem carving. The museum even features a dedicated 鈥淒inosaur Room,鈥� adding a prehistoric twist to your walk through time. Each placard and display offers digestible nuggets of information, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.
Though modest in size, the Tongass Historical Museum feels immersive鈥攅specially when you happen to catch a local sharing their personal memories while pointing to familiar faces and places in the vintage photos. Housed in what was once an old library building, the museum provides not just a peek into Ketchikan's storied past, but also a connection to the community that continues to shape it.
The museum's exhibits are thoughtfully curated to cover all the defining aspects of life in southeast Alaska. Displays include detailed insights into local logging practices, the rise of pulp mills, the importance of salmon fishing, and the influence of Native traditions such as totem carving. The museum even features a dedicated 鈥淒inosaur Room,鈥� adding a prehistoric twist to your walk through time. Each placard and display offers digestible nuggets of information, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.
Though modest in size, the Tongass Historical Museum feels immersive鈥攅specially when you happen to catch a local sharing their personal memories while pointing to familiar faces and places in the vintage photos. Housed in what was once an old library building, the museum provides not just a peek into Ketchikan's storied past, but also a connection to the community that continues to shape it.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Ketchikan. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Tongass Historical Museum on Map
Sight Name: Tongass Historical Museum
Sight Location: Ketchikan, USA (See walking tours in Ketchikan)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ketchikan, USA (See walking tours in Ketchikan)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ketchikan, Alaska
Create Your Own Walk in Ketchikan
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ketchikan 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.
Ketchikan Introduction Walking Tour
Ketchikan marks the start of what many still consider the last true frontier. Tucked into the southern tip of the state, it welcomes travelers sailing the Inside Passage鈥攁 winding corridor of forested islands, rugged coastline, and dramatic wilderness. It鈥檚 a place known for three things: fierce salmon runs, dramatic coastal scenery, and a deep-rooted Alaska Native heritage that continues to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles