Experience Talkeetna’s Frontier Story Through Artifacts and Exhibits

Talkeetna has always been a gateway to Alaska’s frontier, and just down the Parks Highway, the Museum of Alaska captures that same spirit with full-scale outdoor exhibits, restored aircraft, and a growing whale skeleton display. Visitors can learn how early Alaskans built their lives using local resources and creative machinery, making this a must-see for curious minds.

Talkeetna residents and travelers can connect with Alaska’s frontier past at our one-of-a-kind Wasilla museum.

Talkeetna’s Story Comes Alive Through Exhibits

Talkeetna’s connection to the frontier comes alive at the Museum of Alaska. Just south along the Parks Highway, visitors can see how Alaska’s transportation evolution—from steamboats to bush planes—shaped communities like Talkeetna and helped fuel its adventurous identity.

More than a museum—it’s an evolving experience.

Discover Our Signature Collections

Our exhibits highlight the machines, people, and moments that shaped Alaska. Explore the evolution of transportation and industry, and how they intersect with culture, community, and environment.

Transportation Collection

Step into the driver’s seat of Alaska’s past with vintage automobiles, bush planes, and Alaska Railroad locomotives/cars.

Whale Skeleton Project

Follow our community-led journey to preserve and display a 40-foot fin whale skeleton, a one-of-a-kind natural history exhibit in the making.

Industrial Heritage Collection

Explore the powerful machines that fueled the Gold Rush, timber, and pipeline eras—tools that built the backbone of Alaska.

Education

Browse historic Alaska with our exhibits, events, and volunteers in action across the museum grounds.

We teach more than history—we build futures.

Talkeetna travelers welcome—history starts here

Talkeetna’s frontier identity is reflected in every corner of the Museum of Alaska. From logging tools to bush planes, our Wasilla location invites Talkeetna families and travelers to step deeper into the machines, innovation, and local resilience that made Alaska possible.

The museum is built by the community—for the community.

Community Outreach & Volunteer Opportunities

From the Mat-Su Valley to the far reaches of Alaska, we bring history into the community through pop-up exhibits, events, and school outreach. Our volunteers make it all possible.

Your membership fuels our mission to preserve, educate, and inspire.

Join or Donate Today

As a nonprofit 501(c)(3), the Museum of Alaska relies on generous supporters to keep history alive. Whether through membership, sponsorship, or a one-time donation, every dollar helps fund exhibits, events, and education.

Frequently Asked Questions