Preserving the Machines, Stories, and Spirit That Built Alaska

About the Museum of Alaska

Since 1967, the Museum of Alaska—formerly known as the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry (MATI)—has been dedicated to collecting, conserving, and celebrating the artifacts and ingenuity that shaped the Last Frontier. Located on 20 historic acres in Wasilla, we are Alaska’s largest museum devoted to transportation and industry. Through dynamic exhibits, hands-on learning, and community outreach, we honor the past while inspiring future generations.

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

Black and white illustration of a tree trunk with roots and leaves.

More than a museum—an evolving, grassroots legacy.

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, aviation—the 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 evolution.

Built by volunteers. Sustained by community. Open to all.

Milestones in Our Journey

1967 

The Centennial Spark

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
The Centennial Train & A Sudden Setback

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
A New Home in Palmer

With passion and perseverance, 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
Growth Fueled by Oil-Era Support

Renamed The Alaska Historical and Transportation Museum, we expanded rapidly thanks to state funding and growing community interest in Alaska’s heritage.

1992
A Permanent Home in Wasilla

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.

2020s
A New Vision as the Museum of Alaska


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 Beluga Whale Skeleton Exhibit, educational outreach, and new volunteer-led initiatives, our mission is more vital than ever.

We’ve survived fires, funding cuts, and Alaska’s toughest winters—because the stories we tell deserve to live on.

A line drawing of a group of people with a star in the middle.
A group of people are posing for a picture in front of a building.

We are guided by passionate people and powered by local support.

Leadership & Community

Meet the dedicated team behind the museum—from board members and staff to generous partners and volunteers.

  • Our Staff

    Trevelle Harp

    Executive Director


    Caroline Brennan

    Senior Coordinator, Youth Mentoring Programs


    Christina Cole

    Infant Vitality, Navigation Liaison


    Tasha Fairley

    Director, Out of School Time Initiatives


    Laura Huffman

    Program Manager, True2U


    Marie Jones

    Director, Community Health Initiatives


    J’Twasha Kelley

    Community Health Program Coordinator


    Marjorie Malcolm

    Office Assistant


    Beverly Moore

    Coordinator, Neighborhood Navigation


    Nailah Muhammad

    Neighborhood Navigation Liaison


    Dee Spearman

    Office Manager


    Kristen Tellaisha

    Program Coordinator, True2U

  • Board of Trustees

    Harold Pretel, Chair

    Annamarie Morino

    Courtney Mickens

    GiGi Elder

    Kim Foreman

    Roger Sikes

    William Newsome 


    Trevelle Harp, Executive Director

  • Partners

    Partners

    Central Promise Neighborhood

    Cleveland City Council

    City of Cleveland-Division of Recreation

    City of Cleveland-Dept. of Community Development

    Cleveland Foundation

    Cleveland Metropolitan School District

    Cleveland State University

    Cleveland State University Levin College of Urban Affairs

    Cuyahoga Community College

    Cuyahoga County Board of Health

    Environmental Health Watch

    Greater Cleveland Career Consortium (GCCC)

    Greater Cleveland Partnership

    Neighborhood Connections

    Rid-All Green Partnership

    Saint Luke’s Foundation

    The Shanahan Law Firm

    Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland

    Starting Point

    Voices for Ohio’s Children

    Youth Opportunities Unlimited


  • Funders

    Cleveland City Council

    City of Cleveland Division of Recreation

    City of Cleveland Community Development Department

    Cleveland Foundation

    Cleveland Metropolitan School District

    Cuyahoga County Board of Health

    The Nord Family Foundation

    Parker Hannifin

    Saint Luke’s Foundation

    Starting Point

    United Way of Greater Cleveland