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Alaska natural history museums are a narrower scope than regular museums. Their major interest is devoted to the fossil remains, artifacts, rock impressions of plant and animal life and other fragments of the past.
If you want to take this information with you, PRINT This Page In ANCHORAGE: Alaska Museum of Natural History: In addition to natural rock, fossil, artifact and mineral collections, this Alaska natural history museum also has acquired sculptures, paintings, drawings, photos, maps and books. This one is especially great for kids. They'll see dinosaur skeletons from polar dinosaurs, dig for fossils and find out about prehistoric humans. The skull of an Ice Age "American Lion", recently found in interior, Alaska is one of their newest exhibits. There are numerous events for young children. You can even bring along snacks for them. With lots of interactive, fun activities, it's a great place to spend the day with young ones. Two locations/directions from the Glenn Highway:
201 North Bragaw Street, Anchorage, AK 99508 - On the north side of the Glenn Highway as you are coming into Anchorage (Mountain View Area). 206 E. Fireweed Lane, Anchorage, AK 99503 - The Glenn Highway becomes 5th Avenue as you get into the downtown Anchorage area. From 5th Avenue, turn left onto Gambell Street (one-way street going south). Follow that until you come out of the Chester Creek Valley where it becomes the Seward Highway, then turn right on Fireweed Lane. It's about 5 1/2 blocks, on the left side. Hours: - Tues-Sat - 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Phone: 1-907-274-2400 or 1-907-694-0819, Email:webcontact@alaskamuseum.org
Admission Fees: Adults - $5.00, Children (6 to 12 years) - $3.00, Children 5 and under - Free, Families and Playgoups - $15.00 IN FAIRBANKS: The University of Alaska's Museum of the North has a whole section devoted as an Alaska natural history museum. On the KENAI PENINSULA: The Pratt Museum of Natural History In addition to having a fantastic array of exhibits and collections, they also provide informational brochures. Guides are also available during summer hours, that can fill you in on a lot of information about your specific area of interest. Indoor Exhibits at Pratt Alaska Natural History Museum: - Exploring the People and Place - One of the Museum's permanent exhibits. It gives you a good introduction to the Kachemak Bay Region with the photo and video works of the area. A good place to start.
- Stewardship - This display gives information on what has happened and the care that is needed regarding three subjects of major interest to the area
- Special Exhibits - There are many new and constantly changing exhibits that represent the historical and present time arts and culture of the area. These will always have some new surprise for the visitor.
Outdoor Exhibits at Pratt Alaska Natural History Museum:- Botanical Garden - A summer garden features 150 species that grow on the Kenai Peninsula, including some that only grow at high altitude.
- Harrington Cabin - Mentioned in the History Collection (below), it gives a complete look at the lifestyle of the early pioneer years here in Kachemak Bay area. Includes daily diaries, and an oral recorded history.
- Forest Trail - An interpretive trail system that tells about the transition of the forest in this area. It hosts outdoor theater and annual art exhibits from June through September.
Collections at Pratt Alaska Natural History Museum:- Anthropology - Around 4000 artifacts of regional cultural history going back about 4500 years to the earliest known inhabitants of the Kachemak Bay region.
- History - Around 4500 pieces of Russian and American history. Includes a complete cabin furnished as it was when in use, with tools, household goods, handmade items and even an outhouse (the outdoor bathroom).
- Arts - A large collection of arts and crafts representing the culture of the area by regional artists.
- Earth Sciences - Around 500 fossil specimens of plant, animal life and volcanic rock formations, many found on the beaches of Homer.
- Biology - A huge collection of wet and dry-preserved plants and animals of the Kachemak Bay region as well as other areas of Alaska. Even has a rib from an extinct Stellar Sea Cow from Bering Island.
- Photo Archives - Has about 6,500 photos of the history of the museum itself as well as photos of early homestead life in this area by local citizens.
- Quilts - A collection of quilts that visualize historical and cultural themes of the area, all designed and created by local artisans.
- Library (non-lending) = A huge selection of museum and natural history books, periodicals and papers.
- Archives - Business and community history records that give you an insight into the area's past.
This museum in constantly interacting with its own community, keeping it a very alive museum. And it is much more than just a natural history museum. Definitely a worthwhile place to visit on your very first trip to Homer!Location/Contact Information: - 3779 Bartlett Street, Homer, AK 99603 - Phone: 907-235-8635 Admission Fees: - Children under 6 - Free, 6 to 18 years - $4.00, Adults - $8.00, Seniors - $6.00 or $25.00 for a family
Summer Hours: Mid-May to Mid-September, Daily 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Winter Hours: Mid-September through Mid-May. Tuesday-Sunday, 12:00 PM to 5 PM - closed on Mondays
ALSO closed the month of January and on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days. Alaska natural history museums give us a glimpse of culture from the past history of an area. A way to expand our knowledge and understanding of how things came to be as they are. But museums are just one of the many attractions Alaska has to offer. There are all kinds of festivities that celebrate Alaska and give you a picture of its current culture... Return to Top of Alaska Natural History Museums Page Return To Alaska Attractions Page Return Tips for Backwoods Alaska Vacations Home Page
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