Educational Museum in Haines

Overlooking the Lynn Canal is the Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center. This educational center is staffed by knowledgeable, enthusiastic people who are long-time Haines residents and familiar with the history of the town. They are eager to share stories of their lives in the Chilkat Valley. The museum is set on the Haines Mission grounds and features an in-depth study in the culture and history of Haines and Alaska. Visitors can answer a variety of curiosities about the area including how people arrived in Haines prior to the Haines Highway, how the military operated in the northern army, how the Chilkat Valley was affected by the gold rushes, and what it was like to spend a winter stationed at the Edlred Rock Lighthouse. The gift shop at the museum allows visitors to take home a piece of Haines history. There are books about state and personal history, wildlife, and Tlingit history, as well as crafts made by local artists. The mission of the museum is to provide education to Haines and they are dedicated to preserving, collecting, and interpreting the history of the town. The museum houses memorabilia, art, writing, and other exhibits that are temporary, permanent, and traveling exhibits.