The Collection

"Through many voices and perspectives, (the expanded museum) will tell what it means to be Alaskan."  -Ralph Appelbaum, Exhibition Designer

The museum's extensive collection of mostly 20th century pieces will be significantly diversified with the addition of more than 600 19th century Alaska Native pieces on long-term loan from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The Arctic Studies Center, established in 1988, is the only U. S. government program to have a special focus on northern cultural research and education.

These new pieces, along with those in the permanent collection, will be re-interpreted in new exhibits that highlight the museum's expanded mission to include the sciences.

The expansion will also help safeguard these precious pieces by improving storage areas and climate controls. A new laboratory for preservation work also will be added.