The 10 Best Specialty Museums in Alaska, United States

WE ARE OPEN for visitors and are adhering to all CDC and state-guided mandates. As a precaution: • practice proper physical-distancing • use of face-coverings is required to visit the museum. *** About the Fountainhead Auto Museum: This unexpected gem at Wedgewood Resort features a remarkable collection of antique cars and historic fashions, plus entertaining displays on Alaska motoring history. The museum's automobile collection features over 100 American-made vehicles, including beautifully restored horseless carriages, nickel touring cars, rakish speedster, elegant classics, and early racecars. From rare marquees like Compound and Argonne to well-known names like Packard and Stutz, visitors will be amazed at the beauty, innovation, and history of these rolling masterpieces. All but a few of the automobiles are driven each summer, making this a true "living museum.

Soldotna Historical Museum, located on Centennial Park Rd, features a wildlife museum and historic log village. Among the log buildings is the last territorial school built in 1958, where students studied by the light of gas lanterns, still hanging in the school. Soldotna's founding settlers arrived in 1947. The "habitable dwellings" which entitles two of these first homesteaders to 160 acres from what is now mid-town Soldotna are part of the village. How the latter-day pioneers lived is revealed in a collection of homestead artifacts and photos in the former Chamber of Commerce log tourist center. Damon Hall, a large building constructed for the Alaska Centennial, features an outstanding display of wildlife mounts with a background mural of these species' natural habitat. The museum is open May 15-Sept 15 of each year. There is free admission. The museum is operated by the Soldotna Historical Society & Museum, Inc.; a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the early history.

The Alaska State Museum is located at the Fr. Andrew P. Kashevaroff (APK) building in downtown Juneau. Visit us for a uniquely comprehensive view of Alaska’s history and diverse cultures including fine art, mining, fishing, forestry, tourism, Russia-America, and World War II. The Science on a Sphere TM theater cycles through a variety of geographical programs. There is a discovery room with a climb-aboard replica of an early sailing ship and fun activities for all ages. Besides the regularly changing temporary and virtual exhibits, the special 2021 show is "SWAY” on Northern Northwest Coast Weaving. Museum admission $14 summer; $9 winter. Youth free.

This boutique size, award-winning regional museum is home to exhibits, programs, events - as well as an historic homestead cabin and forest trails - that explore learning and stewardship in science, art and culture of the Kachemak Bay region. In 1982, the Pratt was accredited by the American Association of Museums, becoming Alaska’s first private museum to receive this national honor. Today it continues to be recognized as a leading cultural and educational institution in Alaska.

Alaska's largest museum focusing on art, history, science and culture of Alaska.

Headquarters site for the Iditarod dogsled race.