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All the United States Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks Community Museum
AO Edited

Fairbanks Community Museum

This free series of exhibitions honors the fascinating history of the region.

Fairbanks, Alaska

Added By
James T. Bartlett
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The figure of a grizzled sourdough miner greets you.   jbartlett2000 / Atlas Obscura User
The figure of a grizzled sourdough miner greets you.   jbartlett2000 / Atlas Obscura User
Inside the museum, a recreation of a goldminer’s cabin.   jbartlett2000 / Atlas Obscura User
One of many pictures showing the effects of the 1967 flood.   jbartlett2000 / Atlas Obscura User
An early snowmachine (not a snowmobile).   jbartlett2000 / Atlas Obscura User
List of Guesses, 2019.   jbartlett2000 / Atlas Obscura User
Several old ornate pianos are inside the plaza.   jbartlett2000 / Atlas Obscura User
The former Co-Op Plaza on 2nd Avenue.   Enrico Blasutto
The museum covers dog mushing and racing.   jbartlett2000 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Located within the old Co-Op shopping arcade on 2nd Avenue in downtown Fairbanks, this small, volunteer-run museum is a tribute to the history and heritage of the area. Split into two areas, the exhibits here focus on the extensive gold mining history of the area and how it lives on through the Iditarod and Yukon Quest races.

There are also exhibits on the spending the winter in Fairbanks, the Flood of 1967, and the famous aurora borealis. If you’re learning about the city the pictures and stories of the brave men and women who willingly came here to seek their fortunes are still unbelievable, as are the make-do ways that they moved around, lived day-to-day and, when times were good, managed to really party, despite the isolation and cold.

Though rather small and very locally-focused, this charming and free museum is an appealing and informative alternative for a potential later visit to the larger historical theme park called Pioneer Park, which is still known to the locals as “Alaskaland.”

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Hours vary depending on the season—or any number of other factors, as this is a volunteer museum—so check before you go

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jbartlett2000

Published

February 21, 2023

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Fairbanks Community Museum
537 2nd Ave
Fairbanks, Alaska, 99701
United States
64.843173, -147.719529
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Nearby Places

Alaska Highway's Milepost 1523

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Fairbanks

Fairbanks

Alaska

Places 14
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Alaska Highway's Milepost 1523

Fairbanks, Alaska

miles away

Golden Heart Plaza

Fairbanks, Alaska

miles away

Lend-Lease Monument

Fairbanks, Alaska

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Fairbanks

Fairbanks

Alaska

Places 14
Stories 2

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