Wax museum shows 'real' Alaska way of life

Frontiersman reporter

TALKEETNA -- The Museum of Northern Adventure gives visitors a taste of Alaska through a colorful collection of 24 wax figure exhibits showing historical Alaska events and eras, from whaling, Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race winners, railroading and cabin fever. The exhibits show what it has been like to live and work in Alaska the last couple hundred years.

"A lot of museums are a little dry," said owner Suzy Kellard. "I tried to make it a little more interesting."

Kellard said that while most Alaska museums may touch on subjects like the Russian occupation and Alaska Native art, she has made her museum a little more Alaskan by having exhibits with a lot of information surrounded by a bit of humor.

One such exhibit is the cabin fever exhibit. It shows two old-timers in a cabin, and one has leapt over the table and is trying to choke the other. While it may sound a little gruesome, seeing the exhibit can only make you laugh, especially if you have spent a winter in the state.

"The cabin fever one is fun," said Kellard, who bought the slightly damaged wax figures from a woman in Sitka, fixed them up and then built a few of her own before opening the museum in 1992. The museum, filled with facts and lore about Alaska, is located in the old Sunshine section house, a house once used by railroad workers in Sunshine, Alaska.

"It has a basic historic essence to begin with," said Kellard. "I just love history."

Longtime local artist Curt Wagner painted some of the backdrops for the displays. Museum admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children, or $5 for the entire family. For more information call 733-3999.