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.
Power Play:
Energizing Our Lives
Fueling Alaska's Future
The museum's hands-on energy exhibit opened May 28, 2011 in
the special exhibits gallery. This innovative examination of energy needs and
sources in Alaska is co-produced with ACEP, the Alaska Center for Energy and
Power. The exhibit relies on intricate mechanical devices and interactive
stations to put the energy needs of Alaskans in the hands of visitors. Early
humans relied only on the power generated by their own bodies. Then they
discovered fire. Suddenly, our ancestors were able to access energy stored
over decades, not just days or months, and transform it into heat and light.
This new exhibit looks at the balance of power and energy in Alaska.The
exhibit will remain until January 3, 2012..jpg)
Power Play features interactive games created specifically
for the exhibit. In the city engine, guests power a model city with marbles
that produce light and sound, while the wind tunnel lets users adjust a wind
turbine and test blade performance. wind turbine and test blade performance.
Right: Roger Topp and
museum director Carol Diebel demonstrate the wind tunnel for UAF Chancellor
Brian Rogers.
'Save America’s Treasures' Grant
An 1841 Russian blockhouse at the University of Alaska Museum of the
North is getting a new lease on life, thanks to a $75,000 grant from the
federal Save America’s Treasures program. The museum will work with log
preservation specialist Sandy Jamieson to replace several damaged logs,
stabilize the walls to prevent further deterioration and re-establish the
building’s sod roof. The blockhouse has been disassembled for the
preservation work and will be reassembled on a new concrete pad adjacent to
the museum parking lot. The blockhouse was the first structure built by the
Russian-American Company at Kolmakovsky Redoubt near Aniak. In 1929, the
blockhouse was disassembled and moved to Fairbanks, where it remained in
storage for more than 50 years. It was reassembled at the museum in
1982.days.
Membership: the gift that keeps giving
With benefits that include free admission to the museum, invitations to
members-only events and a discount at the Museum Store, museum memberships
are the gifts that keep giving all year. Gift memberships are available at
the individual, couple and family levels.
To purchase your gift memberships, visit the museum admission desk or
complete the attached gift membership form and return it to the museum
membership office. For more information, contact Andrew Quainton at
907-474-6939 or acquainton@alaska.edu.
Happy Holidays!
Museum Hours
Weekdays: 9 AM – 5 PM
Saturdays: 9 AM – 5 PM
Closed Sundays and Christmas Day
Special Exhibit
Coffee: The World in Your Cup opens January 15 (see above)
TOTE Family Days
Look for upcoming themes like Marmots the Saturday before Marmot Day, Fish
in February and Native Arts in March
Upcoming Events
Chocolate Bash - 4/9/11
Museum Open House - 4/30/11
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
Winter/Spring Hours (through May 14 usually)
Weekdays - 9 AM to 5 PM
Saturdays - 9 AM to 5 PM
Summer Hours (May 15 - September 15)
Exhibit galleries & Museum Store:
9 AM - 9 PM Daily
Museum Café: 9 AM - 4 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.
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.
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