King Mountain near the Matanuska River, Alaska

Our STORY

Preserving the Machines, Stories & Spirit that Built Alaska.

For over five decades, the Museum of Alaska has been the Mat-Su Valley's keeper of stories — preserving the artifacts, memories, and cultural heritage that define the Last Frontier.

Our Mission

We're giving a future to Alaska's past - one story, one artifact, and one generation at a time.

Preservation

We are dedicated to preserving, collecting, conserving, and celebrating artifacts and ingenuity that has shaped and continues to shape the Last Frontier.

Education

From school field trips to public tours, we make Alaska's history accessible and meaningful for learners of every age.

Community

We are a community institution — shaped by local voices, sustained by local generosity, and dedicated to the people of the Mat-Su Valley.

Inclusion

We honor the full breadth of Alaska's story, including cultures that have shaped this State for many years.

Our History

Five Decades of Preserving Alaska

1967 — Founded as the Air Progress Museum, our first exhibit launched during Alaska's centennial celebration, showcasing artifacts that captured the State's early aviation and transportation spirit.1973 — Our traveling rail museum, The Centennial Train, brought Alaska's story to communities statewide. After a devastating fire, operations ceased, but not the dream.1976 — With passion and perserverance, Valley residents salvaged what remained and moved the museum to a new home on the Alaska State Fairgrounds. we became the Transportation Museum of Alaska.1980s — Renamed The Alaska Historical and Transportation Museum, we expanded rapidly thanks to State funding and growing community interest in Alaska's heritage.1992 — We relocated to our current site at 3800 W Museum Drive, a 20-acre property with indoor galleries, a train yard, and acres of open-air exhibits. Here, we became the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry.2026 — Today, we are rebranding simply as the Museum of Alaska to reflect our expanded focus - honoring not just machines and movement, but people, culture, and conservation. With projects like the Fin Whale Skeleton Exhibit, educational outreach, and new volunteer-led initiatives, our mission is more vital than ever.

The Museum of Alaska was founded in 1967 and was originally known as The Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry (MATI). We are committed to collecting, restoring, and preserving the artifacts and ingenuity that has shaped the Last Frontier. Located on 20 historic acres in Wasilla, we are Alaska's largest Museum devoted to all things Alaska. Through dynamic exhibits, hands-on learning, and community outreach, we honor the past while inspiring future generations.

Alaska's history is a story of bold innovation and rugged resilience. Its development has always hinged on a simple truth: no resource, no community, and no frontier could be reached without transportation. As new industries rose and fell - gold mining, oil, railroads, logging, and aviation - these tools of those eras were often left behind. Our museum was created to preserve that history and the people who made it possible. From charred railcars to vintage aircraft, our collection is a living tribute to Alaska's industrial revolution.

Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the museum has always been community-funded and community-governed. Every dollar donated stays in the Museum — supporting preservation, education programs, and community events that bring Alaska's story to life.

The people behind the mission

Our Team

James Grogan

museum curator/director

Sarah Lee

museum exhibits/admissions associate

Nels Anderson

maintenance technician

Our Board

Cheryl Grogan

Board President/chair

Pat Purcell

Board secretary

Scott Andrews

Board treasurer

Pat Dougherty

Board director

Samantha Barry

Board director

A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Support Alaska's Story

The Museum of Alaska is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors drawn from the Mat-Su community and receive no ongoing government operating funding — your support is essential.

EIN: 92-0060340

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