Striking architecture, fascinating homegrown art and thoughtful, often humorous temporary exhibits highlight Anchorage's cultural jewel, a world-class museum that punctuates downtown.
A Skyline Redefined
While much of Anchorage's downtown architecture counts khaki-hued utilitarian as its standout feature, Alaska's largest museum – with a shimmering, fritted glass-facade stacked in varying heights designed by award-winning David Chipperfield Architects – seemingly blends into the city's soaring surrounds, at once both reflecting the Anchorage cityscape and, when seen from the air, almost melding to the greater mountainous panorama that flanks the city. Admiring this striking work from the museum's birch forested garden is an experience in itself.
Treasures of Alaska
Start on the 4th floor and work your way down towards the museum's flagship exhibit (2nd floor), Living Our Cultures, Sharing Our Heritage: The First Peoples of Alaska (part of the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center and the largest and longest loan ever made by the Smithsonian Institution). It beautifully displays more than 600 Alaska Native objects, including some incredible parkas hewn from ground squirrel, caribou, wolf and wolverine furs, crested auklets and guillemot skin, and mountain sheep skin depending on the tribal entity (Yup’ik and St Lawrence Island Yupik are our favorites). Traditional Yup’ik masks are also a highlight.
