Want to know more about how the Gold Creek watershed region grew from a seasonal fish camp to become the capital city of the State of Alaska? Want to know who Zach Gordon, Kawa.ee or Crystal Brilliant Snow Jenne were and how their personal stories shed light on Juneau’s history? Are you in need of facts and figures about our town to share with summer visitors? If so, the Juneau-Douglas City Museum has put together two opportunities to learn more about our diverse and vibrant community during the month of May.
A Local Heroes Walking Tour takes place on Wednesday, May 4, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Participants will meet Marjorie Hamburger at the City Museum and head up to Alaska’s Capital Inn for late afternoon tea and story time. Then the group will make their way down the hill, stopping at historic locations to hear the biographies of people who have made an impact on the Juneau community.
The Historic Downtown Walking Tour will launch on Thursday, May 12, also beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Museum. The group will take its refreshment at the Capital Inn and then will set out with tour guide Mike Blackwell to learn how gold came to be under our feet in Juneau, and how the thirst for gold changed the landscape and led to a mining camp becoming the seat of Alaska’s government.
Tickets for the tour are $25 for an adult, $20 for ages 12 and under, and free to Friends of the Juneau-Douglas City Museum at the Family level or higher. Pre-registration and pre-payment is required as spots are limited to 10 people per tour.
The City Museum also offers weekly walking tours throughout the summer months, May through September. The Historic Downtown Tour takes place every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday beginning at 1:30 pm, while Local Heroes goes walking every Saturday beginning at 1:30. Reservations for these tours can be made directly through the Museum, or through the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council’s event ticketing website. However the two evening tours in May are only available through the Museum.
For more information regarding the evening walking tours and how to register call 586-3572 or visit www.juneau.org/museum and click on Public Programs. Beginning in May, the Juneau-Douglas City Museum’s hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Admission is $6/general, $5/seniors and free for ages 12 and younger. Annual passes are $25 and offer unlimited visits for the pass holder and a guest. Friend’s members at the Family Level or higher are admitted free of charge.
