Exhibits and Collection

Exhibits and Collection

The Alaska Native Heritage Center collection showcases all of the indigenous cultures in Alaska.  There are tools, watercraft, clothing, pieces of art, drums and more.  See these Items on display in the Hall of Cultures. 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions - Collections & Exhibits

 

I would like to donate an Alaska Native object to the Heritage Center.  It was purchased by a relative.  How do I donate it?

Thank you for offering your object.  The Collections and Exhibits staff do not accept objects that are dropped off or mailed, so it is always best to make an appointment with the Curator of Collections and Exhibits.  It would be a shame for you to travel out here with the item to find that the Curator is not available.  During the appointment, the Curator and Collections staff will sit down with you and look very carefully at the piece to make sure that it is appropriate for the Alaska Native Heritage Center collection.  We have a strict collections policy that helps us stay true to the center’s mission.  We collect only objects from the eleven Alaska Native culture groups.  If you bring an item from Washington State or Oregon, chances are that we will enjoy seeing it but will refer you to another museum or cultural center that collects such items.  Give the Heritage Center a call at (907) 330-8000 and ask for the Curator of Collections and Exhibits to schedule an appointment. 

I have a beautiful set of Yup’ik dance fans.  They are getting really dusty from sitting on my mantle above the fireplace.  How can I clean them? 

Thank you for contacting us before doing anything to clean your dance fans.  There are so many concerns for the preservation of these items or any item.  First, we wonder if you would consider moving it to a safer location.  The fireplace not only creates sooty dust, but will also dry out your dance fans and make them brittle.  The best place in your home is really an enclosed shelf, like a curio cabinet.  If you don’t have one, then you might consider putting it in a dark and cool corner shelf.  Light will also damage your dance fans.  To clean dusty dance fans, gently blow out the dust with a small blower.  You can look online for archival suppliers to get a proper museum vacuum, if you have many objects in your house that need cleaning.  You can also use a small handheld hair-dryer, set only on cool and low.  If this doesn't help you might consider finding a conservator in a local museum.  You may contact the American Association of Museums for a list of conservators near your city (try their website at www.aam-us.org).  Don’t try to do anything beyond that on your own or you risk damaging your fans.

Do you give appraisals? 

Sorry no, our collection policy does not allow us to give appraisals.  Also, the Internal Revenue Service considers such activity by a 501c(3) a conflict of interest.  We suggest that the American Society of Appraisers http://www.appraisers.org/ be contacted for assistance or look in the phone book under appraisers.

May I talk to the Curator or Collections staff? 

The Alaska Native Heritage Center has a small Collections staff and the curator is often very busy or away from the Heritage Center, so an appointment is absolutely necessary.  When making an appointment, please state the reason for your visit.  In most cases, questions can be answered through your independent research or by speaking with the Heritage Center’s receptionist at (907) 330-8000. 

I believe there is a mistake in a Hall of Cultures exhibit.  Who should I contact? 

If you believe that you've spotted an error in a Hall of Cultures exhibit, please do not hesitate to contact us.  Please send the pertinent information, including your name, address and telephone number to:

Curator of Collections and Exhibits
Alaska Native Heritage Center
8800 Heritage Center Drive
Anchorage, AK   99504-6100 

When will my donation be on exhibit?

The Alaska Native Heritage Center does not guarantee objects will ever be exhibited.  Once an object, document or photo is donated, it immediately becomes available to staff and researchers who are working on a variety of projects.  We cannot predict what specific uses your items will have, but your generosity will instantly and permanently expand the amount of Alaska Native information available to the public.   

Where are the objects if they are not on exhibit? 

Objects are housed in our storage room, adjacent to the Hall of Cultures.  Objects are housed in boxes that have been made by Collections staff and interns and are specifically designed for each object.  Donors are welcome (with an appointment) to bring family members to view their donations if they are not on public display.