University of Alaska Museum of the North Displays Traditional Alaska

Schedule at least half a day for the University of Alaska Museum - you will need it.

Here you can learn about Alaska's natural history and many cultures in a resource-rich environment. They celebrated their 70th anniversary in 1999, and have just completed their new addition.

If you do not have much time, the museum offers a PDF file you can download here that hits the high spots.

From letters from the Museum:

 University of Alaska Museum of the North
April 2008

Exhibit, special event highlight International Polar Year

The museum's latest special exhibit highlights changes in the Arctic, as seen through the eyes of 25 Canadian artists. "Arctic Quest" opens on Saturday, April 5 and runs through Sunday, May 11.  The special exhibit is one of the museum's programs celebrating the International Polar Year.

In May, the museum will host Polar-Palooza, part of a national tour highlighting the International Polar Year. Mark your calendars for May 9 for the multimedia presentation "Stories from a Changing Planet" and for May 10 for a special family program for museum members.

Above: Heidi Burkhardt's Land of the Midnight Sun.

BP becomes museum's newest corporate partner

BP recently became the museum's newest corporate partner with a $25,000 donation to the museum. The North Slope producer will serve as the lead partner for the museum's annual open house.

"BP is committed to supporting Alaska's communities," says Carla Beam, BP Alaska director of community affairs. "The museum's exhibits and programs enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors. We hope the access to the museum's research labs during the open house will inspire a new generation of scientists."

Youth volunteer program debuts this summer

The museum's education department is starting a volunteer program this summer for youth ages 13-18. The program will give middle- and high-school students the chance to learn about the museum's exhibits and collections, interact with visitors of all ages and develop presentation and leadership skills. Applications are due May 1, 2008.

News-Miner Readers' Choice Awards

Voting is underway for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's 2008 Readers' Choice Awards. The museum is consistently in the top three in the "Places to Bring Tourists" category, but we have yet to secure the top spot. Cast your vote for the museum online at http://newsminerextra.com/2008/readers_choice

In addition to the long-term exhibits, keep these summer exhibits and activities in mind when you have visiting friends and family:

Multimedia Auditorium Shows:
Dynamic Aurora and Winter

 Dynamic Aurora captures the beauty of northern lights and explains this high-latitude phenomena from scientific and cultural perspectives using high-speed video, digital animations and hands-on demonstrations. Presented in partnership with the UAF Geophysical Institute. Shows run at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily in the auditorium.

Winter gives visitors insight into our longest season. Learn about the season's natural phenomena, adaptations to life in the cold and the activities that sustain Alaskans through winter into spring. New in 2007. Shows at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily in the auditorium.

Both multimedia shows are presented by a museum explainer. Shows are $7 each, or get the summer show package: admission, audio guide and admission to both shows for $24.

Art Gallery Talks

New this summer! Join a museum docent for a guided tour of the Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery. The 45-minute tour gives visitors an overview of the themes presented in the gallery and an introduction to the wide spectrum of Alaska's art. Tours start in the museum's Living Room at 5:30 p.m. daily and are free with museum admission.

Special Exhibit: Contemporary Alaska Native Art

Our summer special exhibit "On the Edge: Forging New Directions in Contemporary Alaska Native Art " features the work of 23 Alaska Native artists who honor their cultural heritage with works that diverge from traditional expressions: Jack Abraham, Larry Ahvakana, Alvin Amason, Lena Amason, Earl Atchak, Sylvester Ayek, Paula Rasmus Dede, Nicholas Galanin, John Hoover, Rose Kanrilak, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Kathleen Carlo Kendall, Larry McNeil, Da-Ka-Xeen Mehner, Bobby Nashookpuk, James Schoppert, Tanis Maria S'eiltin, Joseph Senungetuk, Ron Senungetuk, Susie Silook, Preson Singletary, Glen Simpson and Denise Wallace.

The special exhibit runs through Sunday, September 30 in the museum's Special Exhibits Gallery. Free with museum admission.

Museum Store

Inspired by the contemporary Alaska Native art in the special exhibits gallery and want something to take home? The Museum Store offers a wide selection of hand-made Alaska Native art, both traditional and contemporary, including masks by Bobby Nashookpuk and purses by Dorothy Grant.

Several of the artists in the special exhibit are also featured in these books available at the Museum Store:

Remember: museum members receive a 10% discount in the Museum Store.

More detail on these events, is available online at www.uaf.edu/museum/events.

MUSEUM SPRING HOURS (at least through May 14)
Weekdays: 9 AM - 5 PM
Weekends: Noon - 5 PM

24-HOUR INFORMATION
907.474.7505
www.uaf.edu/museum

Be a part of the Museum Family!

With the opening of our new galleries, there's never been a better time to join the museum family. Museum members enjoy a variety of exclusive benefits, including unlimited free admission. For more information, to become a member or to renew your membership, please contact the Membership Office at 907-474-6443, email museum.membership@uaf.edu or join online at www.uaf.edu/museum/membership.

For a complete listing of museum events, visit us online at www.uaf.edu/museum.

Hours and Fees

Holiday Hours
December 26-31 - Noon to 5 PM
Closed Christmas and New Year's Day
Winter/Spring Hours (through May 14)
Weekdays - 9 AM to 5 PM
Weekends - Noon to 5 PM
Summer Hours (May 15 - September 15)
Exhibit galleries & Museum Store: 9 AM - 7 PM Daily
Museum Café: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Daily

Admission Fees (including special exhibits):
Adults: $10
Seniors: $9
Youth (7-17), UA Faculty and Staff: $5
Children 6 & under and Free Museum members: Free

Museum members receive free admission for one year, a 10% discount in the Museum Store and invitations to exclusive, members-only events.

The Following may or may not still be available:

Aurora Program and Cultural Presentations

The museum has joined forces with the World Eskimo Indian Olympics to provide the dual productions--named "Northern Interpretations."

The program includes "Dynamic Aurora," a 50 minute presentation on the northern lights, and "Northern Inua," a cultural performance based on traditional storytelling, dance and athletic presentations.

Daily performances will start on June 1 and continue through Aug. 31.

Featured Exhibit

Forced To Leave:

The Detention of Alaskan Japanese Americans and Aleuts During World War II. "Forced To Leave" looks at the civilian impact of the WW II military campaign in Alaska. Under the circumstances of war, two groups of Alaskans experienced those years under particular duress: the Alaskan Japanese Americans and the Aleuts. Located in the Southwest Gallery.

Keeper of the Seal

The Art of Henry Wood Elliott Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930) created watercolor sketches, paintings, maps, and cartoons in his crusade to save the Pribilof Island fur seals from probable extinction. His works document this rich and remote region of Alaska during the late 19th Century.

Focus on Fairbanks

Celebrate Alaska's Golden Heart City — Past, Present and Future There’s still gold in those hills! A hundred years after Felix Pedro struck gold in the hills north of town, Fairbanks is a thriving city ­ rich in culture and resources. Explore the Museum’s galleries to learn about the gold rush days, building the Alaska Highway, the aurora borealis ­ and what we’re planning for the future. In the Interior Gallery, UAF Museum. Opened 10/14/02, Goes at least through November; may be extended.

Museum Gallery Exhibits

The main museum gallery is divided into five geographical regions of the state with exhibits detailing everything from dinosaur bone discoveries to intricate ivory carvings and a cross section of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline. Their web site gives more information.

Blue Babe, a 36,000-year-old steppe bison, is on permanent display at the museum. The bison was preserved in permafrost near Fairbanks until recovered several years ago. Its skin is blue from oxidized minerals in the ground, and it is so well preserved that claw scratches from a predator are still visible in the skin.

The museum also offers visitors a look at why everybody rushed to Alaska in the first place. It is home to one of the largest gold  displays in the Interior.

The museum is recognized for its vast collection of Native American ethnographic objects and archaeological artifacts. The Geophysical Institute is internationally renowned for its aurora borealis research. Both are located on the West Ridge of the UAF campus.

Alaska Quaternary Center Lectures

The AQC invites visiting Quaternary scholars to present public lectures and brown bag seminars throughout the semester. Call the AQC at 474-5033 for more information. 

Book Readings

7 - 9 p.m. UAF English Department invites contemporary authors to give both craft talks and book readings at the Museum throughout the semester. Information: English Department, 474-7197.

Explainer Talks, Offered throughout the day. Free with museum admission. Explore Alaska's wildlife and culture in these 20-minute hands-on presentations.

Saturday Family Programs

Saturday Family Programs are designed to engage children and their parents/guardians in learning activities related to the Museum collections. The programs are designed for children ages 7-12 with a parent or adult mentor. Registration is $15 per child per session. Activities range from art instruction to science experiments.
The programs are scheduled throughout the school year.

Annual TOTE Family Fun Fest

Artists and Scientists: (Junior Curators Camp)

Dates TBA

The museum offers free daily explainer programs; brief 20-minute presentations on such topics as Alaskan archaeology, bears, wolves and Yup'ik Masks. These free walk-in programs give visitors an opportunity to touch and feel the museum's extensive hands-on collection.

Outdoor exhibits on the museum grounds include two nature trails, totem poles, contemporary sculptures, a mining stamp mill, a trans-Alaska oil pipeline cleaning pig, a remote sensor, and an auroral research rocket.

"Reflections," the museum's newspaper is your free guide to the museum's exhibition galleries with updates about museum collections, research and education activities. 

Features also include a UAF campus map and visitor site descriptions and mail order information for museum store products.

The Museum is open year-round.

Call (907) 474-7505 for 24-hour information

University of Alaska Museum
907 Yukon Drive, 
PO Box 756960, 
Fairbanks AK 99775-6960

 

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