Current Exhibits

Sitka Scale Model Circa 1867

All ages of visitors enjoy the centerpiece of the museum - a scale model of Sitka circa 1867, the time of the historic land transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States. Read a chapter in the copy of Captain George Foster Emmon's, Captain of the U.S.S. Ossipee, historic journal detailing the transfer ceremony and his yearlong travels beginning in Connecticut.

Tlingit Baskets & Objects- some of
the baskets shown are part of a collection
on loan from Irene Whittock in memory
of Marie Peterson

Appreciate the beautiful cedar root Tlingit bread basket and other spruce root baskets ranging from ca. 1890 to 1950. The decorative patterns chosen by the Tlingit women frequently suggested natural subjects with which they were familiar on a daily basis, such as ocean waves, salmon eyes, whale fins, and bird in flight. Tightly twined of spruce root, these baskets are decorated with dyed grasses and black maiden-hair fern, materials native to Sitka.
Tlingit Baskets & Objects- some of the baskets shown are part of a collection on loan from Irene Whittock in memory of Marie Peterson

In the spring, Tlingit women dug the roots of selected spruce root trees. The roots would then be steamed and stripped of their outer bark, split, and cured for the duration of the summer. After an appropriate length of time, the roots were split more finely, coiled and stored. In the winter, they wove the baskets.

A raven rattle (in front) with carved figures and potlatch bowl of bone, shell and wood attest to the ceremonial Tlingit culture. The bentwood boxes are Haida and Tsimshian.

Victorian Parlor

Appreciate the beautiful cedar root Tlingit bread basket and other spruce root baskets ranging from ca. 1890 to 1950. The decorative patterns chosen by the Tlingit women frequently suggested natural subjects with which they were familiar on a daily basis, such as ocean waves, salmon eyes, whale fins, and bird in flight. Tightly twined of spruce root, these baskets are decorated with dyed grasses and black maiden-hair fern, materials native to Sitka.
Tlingit Baskets & Objects- some of the baskets shown are part of a collection on loan from Irene Whittock in memory of Marie Peterson

In the spring, Tlingit women dug the roots of selected spruce root trees. The roots would then be steamed and stripped of their outer bark, split, and cured for the duration of the summer. After an appropriate length of time, the roots were split more finely, coiled and stored. In the winter, they wove the baskets.

A raven rattle (in front) with carved figures and potlatch bowl of bone, shell and wood attest to the ceremonial Tlingit culture. The bentwood boxes are Haida and Tsimshian.

Detailed Information on the A.P.

This exhibit illustrates the Purchase Treaty and Purchase Treasury Warrant; Captain Emmons' journal describing the transfer; and a photograph of William Seward preparing to sign the Treaty at 4 am the morning of 30 March 1867; Prince and Princess Maksutoff, the last Russians to be in charge of Colonial Russia.

Davis's Pistol- on loan from the
National Bank of Alaska

Pistol belonging to Gen. Jeff Davis, the commander of the American troops who arrived in Sitka for the 18 October 1867 historic land transfer from Imperial Russia to the United States of America and commander of the troops through 1870. The gun rests in the original oak case lined with green fabric. The name Tranter appears on the revolver. English Gunmaker, William Tranter's [1816-1890 retired in 1885] factory was the most extensive pistol works in the Midlands and supplied weapons of all kinds to the gun trade. He was the first gun maker to use the rim fire cartridge.

Detailed 1867 Exhibit

There has been a US military presence in Sitka since 1867. George F.Emmens, captain of the U.S.S. Ossipee arrived in Sitka on the morning of October 18th.

Many artifacts, historic images, and exhibits chronicle this occurrence through WW II.

World War II Exhibits

The Navy began building the air station on Japonski Island in March 1937. Memories of WW II in Sitka features 10,000 men, six-inch guns and Ingrid Bergman entertaining the troops.

Historical Photos

The aviation buffs value the "Magellans of the Air" for their love of flying and honor of their country. Lieutenants Hap Arnold, Lt. Leigh Wade, Erik Nelson and Major Frederick Martin's flight precedes Lindbergh's flight by three years. Think of flying 30,000 miles around the world in open cockpit single-engine airplanes constructed of wood and canvas with no directional equipment or radios.