Past Exhibits

Sitka at War

July 1, 2018-June 1, 2019

WWII in Sitka was the first temporary exhibit to be featured in the new Sitka History Museum and ran for almost a year due to its popularity with visitors.  Among other things, the exhibit included vignettes produced by Owen Kindig and Kristy Griffin based on interviews with Sitkans who experienced the war here “first hand.”  Matt Hunter, Sitka historian, gave two fascinating lectures on the exhibit.

The Sitka Photo Shop Studio: Picturing Our Past

May 2015-July 2015

The exhibit explores the photographic legacy left by the Sitka Photo Shop Studio. Much more than a place for tourists and locals alike to get their film developed, the Studio, which operated from 1924 to 1972, boasted the largest collection of postcards and photos for sale in Alaska. The exhibit delves into the history of the Studio and displays many of the striking images that chronicle the people, buildings, history, and ever-changing landscape of Sitka.

Life from the Land: Honoring the Art of Hunting and Conservation

December 2014-April 2015

Produced in collaboration with the Sitka Conservation Society, the exhibit honors the rich history of hunting and the artful balance of wildlife conservation in Southeast Alaska. The displays reflect the significant role that hunting has played in the lives, livelihoods, and cultural heritage of Alaskans from prehistoric times through the contemporary era, and considers the vital role that the conservationist point of view has played in maintaining wildlife populations for future generations of hunters.

Celebrating Our Heroes: The U.S. Coast Guard in Sitka

July 2014-November 2014

Stationed in one of the harshest environments on the planet, members of Alaska’s Coast Guard risk their lives to protect the public, the region’s natural resources, and the Nation’s interests.  The exhibit honors the contributions made by the men and women of the Coast Guard and explores the rich history of the Coast Guard in Sitka and Southeast Alaska, with roots stretching back to the 19th Century and the Revenue Cutter Service.  From the first USCG pilot to become a NASA astronaut to the first female USCG rescue swimmer, Air Station Sitka proudly claims a sea of firsts in USCG history.

The Past Inspiring the Present

April 2014-June 2014

Twenty-one Sitka artists participated in a new and exciting museum project. Artists were given unprecedented access to the historical society’s collection in order to create new artwork. Artists used historic photographs, paintings, and artifacts to inspire new pieces in a variety of media.