Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Visit
How do I get to Sitka?
What is there to see and do at Sitka National Historical Park?
When are the Visitor Center and the Russian Bishop's House open?
Where can I go for a hike?

History & Culture
What is a potlatch?
Which Native peoples live here and how long have they lived in the region?
What do totem poles represent and what are they made of?
How many Russians lived in Sitka in the mid 1800s? How many live in Sitka today?
How many Russians lived here in Sitka during the Russian American period?
When and why did Russia sell Alaska and what was the purchase price?
When was the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Sitka built?

Nature & Science
What species of salmon are found in the park?
I haven't seen a bear yet. Where are the bears?
What type of forest is found in the park?
What species of trees are found in the park?

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How do I get to Sitka?

Sitka is accessible only by air or boat. You can find directions here.

What is there to see and do at Sitka National Historical Park?

You can learn about the attractions and activities in the area here.

 

When are the Visitor Center and the Russian Bishop's House open?

You can find the operating hours for the facilities here.

 

Where can I go for a hike?

Two miles of easy trails are located within the park; the trails are suitable for all ages and abilities. Visitors should allow approximately one hour to walk the trails, providing time to enjoy the totem poles, wildlife, and breathtaking scenery along the way. Get a map of the trails here.

Many other trails are available in Sitka providing opportunities for short excursions or full day hikes. Excellent hiking opportunities are available in the Tongass National Forest. You can find a map of the trails on the road system here.

 

What is a potlatch?

The word potlatch comes from Chinook Jargon, a language once used for trading along the Northwest coast of North America. Because potlatch has been used to describe different ceremonies in different cultures, it can bring to mind misinformed stereotypes. Today Tlingit people prefer to use their own word for these ceremonies, k oo.éex' (koo eekh).

K oo.éex' means literally-- "to invite." These large public ceremonies are given according to careful rules of traditional protocol involving balance and reciprocity between members of both the Raven and Wolf/Eagle "sides" or moieties. ATlingit k oo.éex' is a time for putting away grief after the death of a beloved relation, a time to thank those of the opposite side who provided support during bereavement, or a time to witness and celebrate other significant events such as completion of a new clan house, carved house post or ceremonial robe. A k oo.éex' often includes speeches, dancing and gift giving and may last for many hours.

 

Which Native peoples live here and how long have they lived in the region?

The Tlingit (English pronunciation = KLING-it ) have lived in southeastern Alaska for thousands of years; their oral history dates back over 12,000 years. Find out more about the Tlingit here.

 

What do totem poles represent and what are they made of?

With their striking designs and colors, totem poles record the history and cultural identity of the Pacific Northwest Coast people who carved them. The park's collection of totem poles includes representatives from all four of the main types:

Crest poles capture the ancestry of a particular clan.

History or legend poles record a clan's important stories and legends.

Mortuary or memorial poles commemorate an important person.

Ridicule or shame poles publicly ridicule a person of high standing for failing to meet or recognize an obligation.

Poles are primarily carved from Western red cedar trees because they grow tall and straight and are rot resistant. Find out more about the park's totem pole collection

 

How many Russians lived in Sitka in the mid 1800s? How many live in Sitka today?

Approximately 700 Russians, including Creoles, lived in Sitka in the mid 1800s. The Russians left Sitka when Alaska was sold to the United States in 1867. The Creoles remained and their descendants live in Sitka today.

 

How many Russians lived in Sitka during the Russian American period?

Approximately 700 Russians, including Creoles, lived in Sitka in the mid-1800s.

 

When and why did Russia sell Alaska? What was the purchase price?

Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867 for $7,200,000. After the Crimean War of 1853-1856, Russia found itself militarily and economically weakened. The value of the fur trade had decreased considerably during that period, but supplying the colony with food and provisions continued to be expensive. In the end, Russia preferred to sell Alaska to an ally rather than risk having it taken forcibly by an unfriendly power like Great Britain. The transfer of Alaska from Russia took place in Sitka atop Castle Hill on October 17, 1867-an occasion that is commemorated as "Alaska Day."

 

When was the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Sitka built?

Builders completed the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in 1848. A fire in the 1960s destroyed the original structure, so the cathedral we see today is a carefully constructed replica of the original on the same site.

 

What is the Indian tribe that lives here? How long have they lived in the region?

The Tlingit (Lingit'). The Tlingit have lived in southeastern Alaska for thousands of years; their oral history dates back over 12,000 years.

 

What species of salmon are found in the park?

Four of the five species of Pacific salmon return to the river in the park to spawn - chinook, coho, pink and chum salmon. Find out more about the fish in the park here.

 

I haven't seen a bear yet. Where are the bears?

Brown bears live throughout Alaska and are the only bear species found in Sitka. Brown bears use the full range of habitat in the area- forest, alpine, estuary, and intertidal. The bears generally avoid encounters with people.

Bears are sometimes sighted within the park; however, it is unlikely you will see a bear during your visit. The best opportunites for bear viewing in the Sitka area are found in remote locations accessible only by boat.

 

What type of forest is found in the park?

The southeast region of Alaska is dominated by a temperate rainforest. The temperate rain forest ecosystem stretches along the Pacific Coast from Oregon to Alaska; other temperate rain forests are found in several isolated areas throughout the world. What defines a rain forest quite simply is rain--lots of it. Precipitation in Sitka approaches 100 inches of rain each year. The dominant species in the rain forest are Sitka spruce and Western hemlock; some grow to tremendous size, reaching 300 feet in height and 23 feet in circumference.

 

What species of trees are found in the park?

Western hemlock, Sitka spruce, and red alder are found in the park.