OUR EXHIBITS

Step Into Alaska’s Industrial and Natural History

The Museum of Alaska invites you to experience a powerful collection of stories, machines, and discoveries that shaped Alaska’s identity. From vintage bush planes and steam tractors to the dramatic preservation of a massive fin whale skeleton, our exhibits bring together the tools and tales of progress in one unforgettable setting. Every piece you’ll see here was built, used, or recovered in Alaska—and every artifact speaks to the resilience and creativity of the people who came before us.

Black circle with the white outline of the state of Alaska.

Where history meets hands-on exploration.

Featured Exhibits

The Fin Whale Skeleton Project

A once-in-a-generation opportunity to witness the preservation of a full-size fin whale skeleton, cleaned and articulated right here on museum grounds. This marine giant, recovered under a NOAA permit, is being transformed into a breathtaking natural history centerpiece—visible to visitors throughout its multi-year journey from beach to bones to exhibit.

A stylized black whale logo on a white background.
Black and white icon of a train, viewed from the front, on tracks.

The Transportation Collection

From Alaska Railroad engines and vintage fire trucks to bush planes, snow machines, and homesteader wagons, this collection showcases the incredible ingenuity used to connect people across some of the most remote terrain in the world. Explore vehicles up close and learn how every route carved into this land helped shape its future.

The Industrial Heritage Collection

See the rugged tools and technologies that built Alaska’s industries—mining, logging, agriculture, and the oil boom. With artifacts ranging from century-old generators to heavy equipment and power tools, this collection brings to life the machines behind Alaska’s biggest transformations.

Black and white factory icon with gear and boxes.

More Than Displays—These Exhibits Move, Inspire, and Teach

Many of our exhibits are open-air and hands-on. You’ll walk beside train cars, climb near tractors, and peek into cockpits. Whether you’re a local looking for meaningful connections or a visitor eager to understand Alaska’s backbone industries, our collections offer something real, rugged, and uniquely Alaskan.

Want to dive deeper into the history? Check out our guided tours, behind-the-scenes restoration work, and volunteer opportunities to get involved with our living museum.