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Discover
fascinating stories about Alaska's
people, places, and wildlife at the
University of
Alaska Museum of the North - your best introduction to this
vast and diverse state. From Alaska
Native art to polar dinosaurs, whatever
your interest, you'll find something
appealing on exhibit.
A trip to Fairbanks
isn't complete without a visit to the
museum. In the Gallery of Alaska exhibits
are grouped thematically to represent
Alaska's major ecological and cultural
regions. Highlights include Alaska's
largest gold display, extensive displays
of Alaska Native art and artifacts,
and the world's only restored Ice Age
steppe bison mummy. Watch videos on
the aurora, a whale hunt, and Alaska
Native dances.
The museum's audio guide brings Alaska
alive with sound. This 80-minute guide
complements - but by no means duplicates
- the material on display. Hear wildlife
calls, soundscapes of Alaska environments,
conversations with curators and Alaska
Native elders, samples of Alaska Native
languages, and historical footage like
HAM radio reports from 1964's Good
Friday earthquake.
Be sure to plan time to explore the
Museum Store. With a wide variety of
Alaska Native art, books, jewelry and
Made in Alaska products, you'll find
the perfect Alaska souvenir.
With the opening of a new wing in
September 2005, the museum offers visitors an entirely
new experience. The building itself
is a must-see for Alaska visitors,
a cultural landmark in the making.
Nationally-recognized architect Joan
Soranno and the GDM/HGA architectural
team designed the expansion to
convey a sense of Alaska, with innovative
lines and spaces evoking images of
alpine ridges, glaciers, breakup on
the Yukon River, and the aurora.
Inside, the centerpiece of the new
wing, the Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery,
shows many treasures once in
storage but now in public
view. Enjoy films, performances by
Alaska Native athletes, and spectacular
views of the Alaska Range and Tanana
River Valley from expansive two-story
windows. Watch multimedia presentations
on the northern lights, dog mushing,
and other Alaska topics in the new
multimedia auditorium.
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