FAIRBANKS – Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center

Arrived in Fairbanks Sept. 5 and settled in at the Chena River State Park campground. Decided our first stop should be the new visitors center opened after our last visit.  As well as having very knowledgeable staff there are very nice exhibits. 

As we approached we saw an early log house which was part of a row of houses (most now gone) which still sets in the original location.

However, many people lived in wall tents with wood heaters

Early clothing

With all the labors of women they still loved sewing and decorating with beads

Since the natives moved so often a sewing kit most be portable.

The moving was to locate animals for food and fishing

Athabascan Potlatches were held for celebrating life transitions, new chief, first hunt, first “kill” of the season and to celebrate the life of  the deceased.  Family and friends came together to share food and gifts

  Potlatches are still held today.

Their art was rooted in culture

Leaving the center we spotted an Arch of Antlers

Fairbanks – Museum of the North

The museum located on the University of Alaska, Fairbanks campus, is one of our favorites.  In early 2000 it was renovated and new areas for displays were opened.  The exterior is very modern looking

 

as well as the lobby.

Otto, the 9 ft. grizzly, still stands guard on some of the displays

including the other animals

polar bear and seals

muskox and wolves

reindeer skeleton

Blue babe,steppe bison

dall sheep

bear and eagle

ptarmagin (one dresses for summer and one winter)

There are many exhibits depicting early native life, including dance mask, gloves and drum

and dance stick

Beautiful native clothing

 

beaded color

mask

totum pole

 

approx. 3000 pounds of jade

more mask and sunglasses to protect from the sun and glare off the snow

 

A carved Yup’ik angel

many native dolls and toys

Some outhouses are beautifully decorated and there are even outhouse races in some cities

The natives do not waste any part of the fish or animals they kill.

This is a basket made from fish skin

 

On the grounds we saw a block house that had been moved here and restored.  The gun slits are visible on all sides.

                             

 

We were not able to see the northern lights while in Fairbanks but did see several excellent movies explaining what occurs all the time but not always visible to us.

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We had been advised to allow at least four hours.  However after this time we went out to lunch and returned for several more hours.  The three films shown take over one and a half hours to view.

Fairbanks – Fountainhead Antique Car Museum

This museum opened in 2005 displays 67 cars (there are 85 in the collection) and are all pre-WWII.  They are in excellent,  running condition.  As we approached Francis had to take a good look at the 1905 Advance traction engine tractor

The 1906 Compound cost $1500 from the factory

Everyone should find something here of interest . . .

Feathers of Fashion and clothing were included

1903 Cadillac

              

1903 Columbia

             

1905 Sheldon runabout built by an 18 year old in Skagway to impress a girlfriend.  He had only seen pictures of automobiles and just used what he could find including wagon wheels.

Some of the early cars seen in Alaska

A 1933 Alburn costing $1495 at the factory sitting in front of the Sourdough roadhouse

1910 Stanley steamer.  One of the brothers was Francis E.

                            

A 1910 Whiting Model A Roadster cost $498 from factory.

When you have this many cars there is need for an in-house maintenance shop

In the period 1900 to 1907 ladies’ undergarments built a silhouette

                     

Then the fashions changed during 1920-1930

                     

And lots more cars

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