Ketchikan Museums collect, preserve, interpret and creatively share the history and culture of our region to serve, educate, engage and enrich our community. We invite you to visit both of our museums—the Tongass Historical Museum and Totem Heritage Center!
Open Daily 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Tongass Historical Museum and Totem Heritage Center are open to the public year round.
629 Dock St.
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Get Directions
(907) 225-5600
601 Deermount St.
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Get Directions
(907) 225-5900
Pass includes admission to both the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center
Admission is always free for local residents!
Enjoy the Virtual Exhibit from the comfort of your home! See our new feature exhibit, Into the Wind: Aviation as Southeast Alaska’s Lifeline, and much more.
The Tongass Historical Museum and Totem Heritage Center are located on the traditional lands of the Taant´a Kwáan and Sanyaa Kwáan of the Tlingit First Nations. We are grateful for the opportunity to live and learn here in mutual respect and appreciation.
A collection of Ketchikan’s history and heritage, the Tongass Historical Museum offers insight into our community’s past, present, and future through engaging exhibitions, programs and archives.
The Tongass Historical Museum is centrally located downtown at 629 Dock Street, near the northern Creek Street entrance. The Museum is a quick 10 minute walk or less than 5 minute drive from the cruise ship docks and downtown corridor.
The Totem Heritage Center preserves and perpetuates the living artistic traditions of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian that gave rise to the original totem poles on display and provides the opportunity to discover, learn and practice Native arts to inspire cultural understanding. The Center is on the National Register of Historic Places for its collection of original, 19th century totem poles.
The Totem Heritage Center is located at 601 Deermount Street. The Center is about a 15 minute walk or 5 minute drive from the cruise ship docks and downtown corridor.
“Artifact” is a dynamic term that can describe a variety of materials: three-dimensional objects, photos, archives, books, fine art, and even oral histories. Essentially, artifacts are the tangible items we create and use every day.
When placed into context, artifacts tell stories about their makers and users, capture moments in time, symbolize values, convey emotions, and reflect cultural changes. We better understand our past by studying artifacts. To highlight our own local unique history, Ketchikan Museums features an “Artifact of the Month” from our exciting collection of artifacts. We hope you enjoy these snapshots back in time!