Anchorage Museum of History and Art

DOWNTOWN. In 1968, to celebrate the centennial of Alaska's purchase from Russia, this world-class museum first opened its doors. The museum's first exhibits consisted of 60 borrowed Alaskan paintings and a loan of 2,500 objects from the local historical society. Today the permanent collection has grown to 17,500 historical and ethnographic objects, making it Alaska's largest museum. The museum is also the regional home of the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History Arctic Studies Center. While the museum's main purpose is to collect and preserve historical and cultural items that represent the history of the state, many traveling exhibits introduce visitors to cultures from around the world. After your tour, rest your feet in the museum's café then visit the superb gift shop, which offers many Alaskan souvenirs.