Visiting the Haines Sheldon Museum, a Beautiful Tlingit Storytelling Collection

I’ll start by saying that the Haines Sheldon Museum has curated their collection in a way that tells the story of the Chikat Tlingit people and the intrusion of the outside world in a way that is honest, direct, and interesting. There are lots of small museums as you explore the Inside Passage of Alaska, but this one both showcases the art and culture of the Tlingit people and represents history in a world class way. I wanted to be a museum curator when I was in college and it was because I wanted the chance to tell stories the way the Haines Sheldon Museum does.

Enough fangirling about skillful archival storytelling, you want to know if you should visit the Haines Sheldon Museum if you’re short on time during your stopover. In short, yes. If there’s one thing to do in Haines beside watching bears and bald eagles, it’s spending and hour and a half here learning about and appreciating the history of the Chilkat Tlingit peoples and the settlers of Haines. If you have any questions about visiting the museum, walking around Haines or need other Southeast Alaska recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a wonderful Alaska trip.

Why Visit the Haines Sheldon Museum?

It’s no secret that I love the Haines Sheldon Museum. We spent two hours here reading every exhibit and going through each artifact drawer. Having been to museums in cities and towns all around the world, and many in Alaska, what really stands out to me about the Haines Sheldon Museum is the continual acknowledgement of pre-settler society and the persistency of culture within the Tlingit communities.

So much of Alaskan history since the mid 1800s includes stories of language and spoken stories being snuffed out or suppressed. With the Tlingit people, this also happened, but what I took from our time in the Haines Sheldon Museum is how the Chilkat Tlingit people maintained their culture and have been able to grow it through the years. It’s encouraging and beautiful. Also within the exhibits at the Haines Sheldon Museum you’ll learn about the Russian influence, the mining and logging infiltration and more. It’s also interwoven to tell the story of both the Haines area and so much of Southeast Alaska.

Interestingly enough, the gift shop at this small museum is also wonderful. For being very limited in space and subject matter, the gift shop at the Haines Sheldon Museum has a great selection of art and Tlingit pieces, as well as books and Alaskan craft for purchase. I’m not big into souvenirs, but this is a wonderful place to find something unique and meaningful.

Tips for Visiting the Haines Sheldon Museum with Kids

I like to look at a museum and figure out what story it’s trying to tell before I start to go through the exhibits. At the Haines Sheldon Museum it’s very clear what the story is (the Tlingit people and how they have interfaced with the variety of settlers and traders and neighboring bands through the years) but if you’re new to this subject, it’s a great idea to ask at the admission counter what exhibits are the most interesting to them or if there’s anything on a temporary exhibit to pay extra attention to. I think hearing from the people who work in the museum daily is a great way to glean a little insight before beginning.

As you go upstairs and start proceeding around the perimeter, I think the best route is by going clockwise. This allows you to begin with an introduction to the art and family stories of the Chilkat Tlingit people and lays the framework for the other exhibits as you go. It’s a good way to build up your understanding so by the time you’re finishing and you’re looking at more art, you feel connected to the subject matter and imagery.

If you’re visiting the Haines Sheldon Museum with kids, they’ll likely be drawn to the different Tlingit formline pieces in the exhibits. Something we like to do is to see if we can figure out the different animals that we see, talk about if there are any stories that we know relating them, and then also try to identify which clans created the different pieces. Sometimes we are successful and sometimes we are way off when we actually read the exhibit placard. This is a great way to get kids involved and interested in the museum though.

Need to Know for the Haines Sheldon Museum

All you need to bring when you visit the Haines Sheldon Museum is your curiosity. The entirety of the exhibits are indoors and there is plenty of literature available as you go through. I would say to bring your reading glasses though, as there is a lot to cover and you’ll want to read it all. Food and drink is not allowed in the museum galleries, but you can enjoy a nice sit outside if you need to finish your snacks before entering the museum.

There is an admission fee for the museum, and I think it’s well worth it. Adults are $10 and kids, active military, Haines residents and visitors with NARM memberships are free.

Parking at the Haines Sheldon Museum

The Haines Sheldon Museum is walking distance from everything downtown. Unless you’re staying up the Haines Road or on the way out to Lutak, you’ll likely be just a few minutes walk from here. And the Hammer Museum is across the street too so you can visit both in an afternoon. Around the corner and up a block is Fort William Henry Seward National Historic Landmark, which is also neat to visit, and then the Haines marina is down the hill about fifty yards away. If you’ve driven into town, be mindful of parking signs, but for the most part it’s not difficult to find a place to park.

More Things to do in Haines

I feel like Haines is kind of this sort of secret spot on the Inside Passage. Most of the cruise ships go to Skagway or Icy Strait Point and completely miss Haines, which makes it wonderful and quiet. I love this town because there is lots to do and it’s beautiful. There are a few museums, you’ve got two state parks, lots of options for fishing, boat charters, LOTS of Chilkat Tlingit totem poles, art and more. Haines is the version of Alaska that I wish still existed all through the Inside Passage and up into South Central AK.

When you’re planning your visit to Haines and your activities, I think spending 3-4 nights is perfect. This gives you plenty of time to hike and enjoy the wildlife and rivers, but then also you can have time in town and up along the Haines Highway. Everyone has a different style of travel and activities they look for, and I think that’s what makes Haines such a good destination to visit.

Here are some of our recommendations for things to do in Haines: