The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Curatorial center is located in Skagway and is one of the largest repositories of Klondike Gold Rush material with more than 250,000 items in storage. The collection consists of material from over 50 excavations in the historic district, the nearby historic town of Dyea, and the Chilkoot and White Pass Trails.
The historic district excavations were from beneath and around buildings prior to restoration. The various buildings excavated were two saloons, a liquor store, railroad depot, bakery, cigar and confectionery store, dry goods store, tailor and furrier shop, paint and wallpaper store, transportation company, catholic church rectory, mission house, the home of the founder of Skagway, and a residential block outside the historic district. Many of these collections have been analyzed and reports are in progress or have been completed.
The Park collection also consists of more than 1,000 mounted herbarium specimens, which are a valuable research tool to aid in the understanding of this unique Pacific Coastal Rain Forest/Alpine Tundra ecosystem.
Visiting the Skagway Unit
Getting There
Access to Skagway is by small airplane, Alaska Marine Highway ferry vessels, cruise ships, train/bus (summer only), and vehicle on the Klondike Highway. Once at the park, local tour and taxi operators offer transportation within the Skagway Historic District and to the Chilkoot trailhead in Dyea; bicycle; rental and personal vehicle.
Hours of Operation
The Visitor Center & Museum Visitor Center is open daily early May to late September 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Museum, located on the ground floor of our administrative building, is open year-round, except winter holidays. The Chilkoot Trail Center is open daily June 1 to Labor Day weekend 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Climate
Summers are generally cool and dry. It is often windy in Skagway. Jackets are recommended. Skagway is rainy in September. Average summer highs range from 59 to 67 degrees F and winter lows range from 16 to 27 degrees F. Skagway receives less rain than is typical for southeast Alaska, averaging only 26 inches of precipitation per year.
Contact Details
Skagway Unit
Box 517
Skagway, Alaska 99840
Phone: 907-983-2921
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