Totem Heritage Center, Cultural museum in Ketchikan, United States.
The Totem Heritage Center is an art museum in Ketchikan that displays totem poles and other carved works from the 19th century. The collection was gathered from abandoned settlements of the Tlingit and Haida peoples across southeastern Alaska's islands.
The museum was founded in 1976 to protect 33 totem poles rescued from Village Island, Tongass Island, and the former Haida settlement of Old Kasaan. This rescue effort preserved important artworks that might otherwise have been lost.
The center features works by local artists and traditional items from the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples, including carved masks and baskets. The displays show how these communities told stories and expressed their connection to nature through their creations.
The museum is located on Deermount Street and opens daily during the peak season from May through September. Winter months offer reduced hours, so check the schedule before visiting if you plan to come during that time.
Five intricately carved entrance posts display animal symbols that represent local indigenous groups: Eagle, Raven, Killer Whale, Bear, and Wolf. These symbols introduce visitors to the visual language of Native artistic tradition.
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