Totem Heritage Center — Attraction in Ketchikan

Totem poles are the wood carvings created by local native people to represent ancestry, history, important people and events. Totem pole are created from red cedar wood, which is available here abundantly.

Totem Heritage Center houses the collection of these totem poles which were created in 19th century. They were collected from Tlingit and Haida villages in 1970. Most of the old totem poles are severely weathered and damaged. However, the skills and the artistic ability is seen in the details of these poles.

The staff of the Totem Heritage Center was friendly and helpful. We reached the Heritage Center just before 20 minutes of closing. They gave us the free complimentary pass to see the museum, as we didn’t have much time left to explore it.

The totem poles have no religious significance, but has great cultural importance. These poles were never worshipped. They were created to honor the important and prestigious people, mark the significant events and proclaim the lineage of the owners or clans.

Each totem pole has different story, meaning and purpose which was passed down from generation to generation orally. Unfortunately, the original history and stories behind these totem poles are lost due to no proper records, but some were retrieved from the elderly...

We visited the Totem Heritage Centre while we were at this port during our Alaska cruise. It was a rainy day, we took about 35mins walk from creek Street to here. In fact there is a free shuttle bus come right in front of the centre. it is a very small museum don’t expect much from it. Before my visit I thought I could have some visual experience the crafting of Totem poles. Nope, they are all display of totem poles and informative write up as well as some other artefacts. Well, the information gives a rich cultural heritage of the indigenous communities. It maybe great if there are tour guides explaining more details than just reading by ourselves. Glad that we were able to visit on the US Memorial Day in Ketchikan, otherwise, we really don’t know what can be done in the town during a rainy day. The admission price is relatively cheap, $9 for two museums , together with Tongass...

Take the Free Shuttle Off the Carnival cruise ship to the Free Shuttle and a rainy day in Ketchikan we went to the Totem Heritage Center which was warm and dry with some very neat totem poles and history. The admission was only $5 person. They preserves and perpetuates the living artistic traditions of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples that gave rise to the original totem poles on display and provides the opportunity to discover, learn and practice Native arts to inspire cultural understanding. Their knowledgeable staff helped us and other visitors gain a historical context with which to approach contemporary totem poles and the cultural traditions present in their community. There are restrooms in the back and they limit food/drinks in areas but could take photos throughout. Great place to stop by for...