Explore the Collections

At Lake Clark, the NPS preserves objects that tell the story of our history in the museum collections, everything from historic photos to crayon drawings to birch bark baskets. The long-term preservation of objects for posterity depends on material types -- what the objects are made of. Different materials like distinct storage conditions and curatorial staff ensures the museum objects are stored according to NPS standards and are kept safe for current and future generations.

The Lake Clark National Park and Preserve museum collections consists of more than 200,000 objects-from an impressive herbarium collection to the many journals, letters, and objects of Richard Proenneke.

Collections staff also care for archeological artifacts from extensive surveys, over 2,000 historic photographs, a rich collection of oral history interviews, fossils, archives, preserved small mammals, and other items reflecting the cultural and natural history of this unique place.

 

Stories From the Past

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  Fighting Fire

  A Dena'ina Birch Basket

  How Dena'ina women used birch baskets to fight fire in 1953.

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  Skilled Craftsmanship

  Athabascan Snowshoes

  Learn the history of these snowshoes and the craftsman who built them.

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  Journal Entry

  Thanksgiving 1968

  Read about Proenneke's Thanksgiving at Twin Lakes in 1968.

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  Story of a Photo

  A Grateful Heart

  Read how this historic photo demonstrates the abundance from the land and Dena’ina values revolving around gratitude.

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  Expertly Detailed

  "Maizie B" Model Boat

  This two foot long, intricately detailed model boat was built by Dr. Elmer Bly while he was living on the shores of Lake Clark.

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  Traditional Uses

  Dena'ina Animal Snares

  Dena'ina girls were taught how to set snares for ground squirrels among other chores so they never had to depend on others for food.

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  A Gift From a Friend

  Mardy Murie's "Two In the Far North"

  How Margaret Murie's story of adventures in northern Alaska got into the Lake Clark Museum Collections.

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  Snapshots into Life at Twin Lakes

  Exakta VX llb Camera

  Proenneke loved taking still photos of the scenery around him and this camera was always with him as he traveled around Twin Lakes.

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  More than Jewlery

  Glass Beads Found in Qizhjeh (Kijik)

  Understand the value and importance of glass beads for trade in the village of Qizhjeh (Kijik).

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  A Hidden Message

  Half and Half Tobacco Can

  A tobacco can containing a handwritten note that was found hidden inside a fireplace 30 years after it was placed there.

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  Examining History

  Is This the Park's Oldest Artifact?

  Is the the oldest object in the park collections? Was it found at the oldest archaeological site in the park?

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  Evolution of an Ethic

  Handmade Wilderness Sign

  This sign provides insight to the evolution of one man's wilderness ethic.

 

By the Numbers

• 34,363 archeological artifacts
• 16 ethnographic items
• 4,663 historical photos, artifacts, and documents
• 202,397 documents in the park archives
• 6,838 biological specimens
• 47 paleontological specimens
• 69 geological samples
• 9 objects of art

Total: 248,402

Many of these items are fragile and require special conservation. The museum specialists at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve ensure that these irreplaceable pieces of the past will be available to future generations.

Contact us if you are interested in doing research or for a tour of the collections.