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
December 2009
Museum Store holiday sale
Take care of everyone on your holiday shopping list at the Museum Store!
All Alaska Native baskets, whalebone sculptures and masks are 20% off. All
other store merchandise is 10% off, including jewelry, books and children's
toys through Thursday, December 24.
To make things even easier for you, two parking spots will be designated
for short-term FREE parking for museum shoppers through Thursday, December
24. (Remember: parking is always free on Saturdays.)
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.
Special holiday hours + programs
The museum will be open from noon to 5 p.m. most days during UAF's
holiday break (see daily schedule below) with free visitor parking. During
this time, we'll have special presentations of Dynamic Aurora at 1 and 3
p.m. (available for $5 in addition to museum admission). Bring your visiting
friends and family to learn the secrets of the northern lights in this
30-minute presentation.
Join us on New Year's Eve for the Sparktacular fireworks. The museum is a
great place to watch the display, and we'll be open from 7 to 9 p.m. Come
early to explore the museum's galleries and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies
(while supplies last) before the fireworks. Admission is free.
Friday 12/25 – Closed
Saturday 12/26 – Noon - 5 PM
Sunday 12/27 – Closed
Monday 12/28 – Noon - 5 PM
Tuesday 12/29 – Noon - 5 PM
Wednesday 12/30 – Noon - 5 PM
Thursday 12/31 – Noon - 5 PM
Friday 1/1 – Closed
Saturday 1/2 – Noon - 5 PM
Sunday 1/3 – Closed
Monday 1/4 – Regular hours resume
Please note: Most of the museum's administrative and curatorial offices
will be closed from Monday, December 21 through Friday, January 1. Regular
office hours resume on Monday, January 4.
In the Special Exhibit Gallery:
Ascension: Exploring the Art of Denali
The museum's current special exhibit showcases artworks by Denali
National Park and Preserve's artists-in-residence. Since the program began
in 2002, the park has hosted more than 20 artists. These artists use the
historic East Fork Cabin on the Toklat River as their home base during their
10-day residency and create works inspired by this experience in the park.
Objects from the museum's fine arts and ethnology and history collections
complement the artworks from Denali. Ascension: Exploring the Art of Denali
runs through January 2010.
Spring Semester Volunteer Docent Training: January 11 - 22
The museum is looking for volunteer docents for its school tour program
for the upcoming spring semester. Spend one morning a week leading
activities for school children using the museum's hands-on collections. No
experience is necessary - all training will be provided January 11 - 22
during the museum's free volunteer docent training. For more information or
to register for the training, call 474-5360 or email
museum.education@uaf.edu.
Unless otherwise specified, museum admission is charged: $10 for
adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for youth 7-17. Admission is free for museum
members, UA students (with valid ID) and children 6 and under.
Members receive free admission for one year, a 10% discount in the Museum
Store and invitations to exclusive, members-only events.
More detail on these events, is available online at
www.uaf.edu/museum/events.
Winter Hours (see special holiday hours above)
Weekdays: 9 AM - 5 PM
Saturdays: 9 AM - 5 PM
Closed Sundays
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 - 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.
