Kenai Peninsula Museums, Cultural Centers

While you're exploring Homer and it's ecological-rich environs, a stop at the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies adds to your appreciation of the history and wildlife of the area.

This little museum is a must see in Cooper Landing. Housed in two historic buildings, the old school house, built in 1955 and Jack Lean's Cabin, circa 1920; the Cooper Landing Historical Society Museum covers the mining history of cooper landing, the lifestyle of early residents and the natural history of this area. Don't miss the brown bear skeleton reconstructed by local school  More...

The Hope-Sunrise Historical and Mining Museum exhibits photographs and artifacts of the Turnagain Arm Gold Rush of 1896 and the years since.

Soldotna Historical Society, located on Centennial Park Road, features a wildlife museum and historic log village. Among the log buildings is the last territorial school built in 1958, where students studied by the light of gas lanterns, still hanging in the school.

Soldotna's founing settlers arrived in 1947. The "habitable dwellings" which entitled two of these first  More...

Take a step back into Seldovia’s past while learning about the present at the Seldovia Museum & Visitor Center. Check out detailed exhibits on the cultural traditions and legacies of the Native peoples of the area, see interactive wildlife exhibits and pick up free travel information and maps.

Soldotna’s homesteaders arrived in 1947, visit the Soldotna Homestead Museum and take a look at some of the area’s early homestead cabins. The museum also features handmade utensils and pioneer objects as well as Alaska Native artifacts, boats and the original schoolhouse.

Summer only or by appt.

No admission fee, donations  More...

The museum presents the chief events of Seward's history through photographs, artifacts and documents. There is also a fine collection of Native baskets and ivory carvings on display. During the summer there are evening programs consisting of two slide shows: The History of Seward and The History of the Iditarod Trail. A special open house is held every August 28 in honor of the founding of Seward in 1903. Museum shop carries books by local authors and other items relating to the local area.

Homer’s Pratt Museum preserves the stories of the Kachemak Bay region and provides a gathering place for people to learn and to be inspired by this region and its place in the world. The museum’s extensive collection offers an excellent way to learn more about the landscape, communities and ecosystems of the area.

The Challenger Learning Center of Alaska was created to meet the educational needs of students throughout Alaska. Using simulated space and earth science missions, distance education and hands-on workshops, the CLCA inspires youth to develop an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and to consider careers in these fields. Using space and earth sciences as a  More...

What's better than just a library? A library AND museum, of course. In January, 2013, the community celebrated the grand opening of a combined facility for the museum and library. The idea behind the merge was to refocus and strengthen both Seward's museum and library resources and facility. Not only does the new building have more shelves for books and room for exhibits, the  More...