Whether it’s your first or last stop on the island, make sure you visit this museum, which offer the best insight into the island’s heritage. Not only will you find an impressive collection here, but also a great staff; they’ll share stories about village life, continued traditions, and archaeology projects.
With 100,000 artifacts, some 50,000 photos, and a total collection of 250,000 pieces, the museum houses much of the history of the Alutiiq Natives on Kodiak Island, as well as continuing to archive the contemporary lives of Alutiiq Natives. Those projects include a native foods program (to continue the tradition of subsistence harvesting) and online Alutiiq language lessons. The museum is also preserving this language through archival recordings of fluent speakers, and education programs aimed at increasing fluency.
Their collection is centered on the findings of Karluk One, an archeological dig at the mouth of the Karluk River, where Alutiiqs lived for generations. Wood, bone, and ivory objects preserved at the site are part of the museum’s collection, and the museum continues to coordinate recovery projects throughout the island.
Hours
Summer: Mo-Sa 10am-5pm, Su by appt. Winter: Tu-Fr 9am-5pm, Sa 10:30am-4:30pm
Admission
$5. Kodiak Area Native Corporation shareholders and children 12 and under free.
