Alaska is filled with hidden gems that house the incredible stories of its past, and Prince William Sound Museum is a meticulously curated facility that highlights the history of Whittier. As a nonprofit museum, it is housed inside the Anchor Inn located in downtown Whittier, and for $5 admission, you can walk through images and exhibits that bring the past to life.
About the Prince William Sound Museum
The Prince William Sound Museum is a small museum, but it is fascinating with its rare exhibits and incredible history of Whittier both as a military port and rail terminal. With exhibits that showcase Alaska’s military heritage, visitors here can spend a couple hours getting to know the true stories of Whittier’s legacy.
Visiting the Prince William Sound Museum
Whether you are staying the night at the Anchor Inn, or you are traveling though Whittier while exploring the wonders of Prince William Sound, stopping at Prince William Sound Museum should be on your list. You’ll need to travel through Whittier Tunnel to get here, so plan ahead—this one-way bimodal tunnel only opens to traffic from either side once per hour.
History
The Prince William Sound Museum is a labor of love by local citizens, particularly Ted Spencer—one of the foremost experts in Alaskan aviation history. These residents formed the Whittier Museum Association in 2003, and funding was provided by the Denali Commission and Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development to assist in creating a historic museum in the town in 2005.
More than 25 exhibits have been developed by the museum since its opening. It is currently housed in a 1,200 square-foot area within the Anchor Inn, donated by the Shen family.
Interesting Facts
The Prince William Sound Museum is built on the interesting and storied past of Alaska, and there’s plenty to discover in this small, unassuming facility. Whether you’re interested in the military and aviation history of Alaska or the unique past of Whittier—called “The Strangest Town in America”—there’s plenty to learn about and explore.
• Exhibits at the museum include stories of our history that span from WWII and the Cold War back through the exploration of Prince William Sound by the Spanish in the 1700s.
• An aerial project coordinated between Prince William Sound Museum and Dreamscape Aerial Imaging recorded a video of the historic Whittier—highlighting the incredible nature views around the area.
• The Prince William Sound Museum has been named a “Must-See” by Alaska Magazine, and the Milepost Travel Guide called it “an outstanding museum experience”.
• Ted Spencer, who played an integral role in developing the Prince William Sound Museum, was also a founder of the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum in Anchorage.
Points of Interest
There are plenty of fascinating places to explore in Alaska, and Prince William Sound Museum brings the best of Whittier’s past into one location. Located in the heart of Whittier, one of the most unique cities in Alaska, this museum is a must-see side trip for anyone interested in Alaskan history.
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