Natural History
Fin Whale Skeleton Project
One of the most ambitious natural history undertakings in Alaska — the articulation and permanent display of a fin whale skeleton.
About the Whale
The fin whale is the second-largest animal on Earth, reaching lengths of up to 85 feet and weights exceeding 70 tons. Second only to the blue whale, these ocean giants were once abundant in Alaskan waters before commercial whaling dramatically reduced their populations in the 20th century.
The specimen at the Museum of Alaska was recovered from the Anchorage area. Its sheer scale makes it one of the most significant natural history specimens in the state — and a once-in-a-generation opportunity for public education. The fin whale at the heart of this project was recovered through a permitted educational salvage, offering an extraordinary opportunity to study marine biology while building a legacy exhibit. Our team - made up of museum staff, volunteers, and local experts - will carefully clean, catalogue, and preserve every bone in preparation for a full skeletal mount to be featured at the museum.
The Articulation Project
Articulating a whale skeleton is an extraordinarily complex undertaking. Each of the hundreds of bones must be carefully cleaned, preserved, and catalogued before the painstaking work of reassembly can begin.
The process involves maceration, degreasing, and structural reinforcement — techniques used by natural history museums worldwide. When complete, the skeleton will be mounted in a permanent indoor-outdoor display that showcases the whale's full 42-foot length.
Education & Community
The Fin Whale Skeleton Project began in 2023, when the Museum of Alaska began an ambitious and community-powered effort to preserve and eventually display this beautiful 42-foot creature. This one-of-a-kind project blends science, history, and hands-on education - offering visitors a rare behind the scenes look at how natural history exhibits come to life in real time.
School groups will eventually come to house a piece of the skeleton to observe the maceration work in progress. Various educational teams have developed curriculum materials connecting the whale's biology, Alaska's marine ecosystem, and the history of whaling in the Pacific — all anchored to this single extraordinary specimen.
Get Involved
The Fin Whale Skeleton Project depends on community support. Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word, there are many ways to be part of this historic effort.
Donations to the project fund materials, preservation chemicals, mounting hardware, and the construction of the permanent display structure. Every contribution — large or small — brings us one step closer to the day this magnificent creature takes its place as the centerpiece of the Museum of Alaska.
Support the Project
Help us complete one of Alaska's most ambitious natural history undertakings.