Hammer Museum, Haines: Hours, Address, Hammer Museum Reviews: 4.5/5
Hammer Museum
Hammer Museum
4.5
About
What is a hammer? Can a fist be a hammer? Does it have to hit a nail? Stop in and explore our collection of 2,500 hammers and see the many uses of this diverse and long-lived tool. Although we see a lot of visitors from the trades, you don't have to be a hammer enthusiast to enjoy this unique museum. Hammers do more than hit things, they also tell stories about the people who use them. You may enter bewildered but you'll leave with a newfound appreciation for the hammer!
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
185 reviews
Excellent
103
Very good
62
Average
17
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Frank Sories
San Francisco, CA224 contributions
Let's face it. Haines isn't exactly the Big Apple, and there aren't scads of things to do here. Therefore the Hammer Museum is one of the most interesting and amusing things to do in town. There are many, many types of hammers, and perusing this collection is actually an educational experience. I recommend it highly.
Written June 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
We appreciate your kind review & so glad you had a rewarding experience!
Written July 20, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maxene923
New York City, NY108 contributions
Solo
I prefer quirky museums, and this was among the quirkiest! The young woman who worked there explained the origins, by a man whose wife made him clear out his tool collection! I like the life-size models of people working with the tools, and the explanations of some of the hammers (particularly the pig hammer!). There is also a display of nails!
Written November 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
travelNReviewer
San Diego168 contributions
Couples
Sorry about that title, as I'm sure the jokes have all been told before, and I can't read all the reviews to see if I have stolen someone else's lines. Others that came to mind (independently I assure you) are "I got hammered at the Hammer Museum", "Head for the Hammer Museum", "At only $5, you won't get hit too hard for admission", and so on. Anyway, to the review. We heard about this on our cruise ship, and decided to see what over 2,000 hammers look like. The big hammer outside is one of those "have to take a picture" spots and the staff were so friendly and knowledgeable, you just can't fail to have a good time.
As expected, the museum is a converted house, with walls and walls of every type of hammer you could possibly imagine and many you could not have imagined. I think this type of museum falls under the same category as the Museum of Toilets, or the Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri, or the parasite museum in Tokyo, or the giant ball of string somewhere in the American southwest.... The owners, who started collecting a few hammers on a lark, eventually got a bit carried away. Once others began donating to the cause...well you can guess the rest.
It sounds ridiculous, but I think you won't be sorry you saw it. It's only about 3 rooms, but as I said, the staff make the experience, and when was the last time you could pose in front of a wall of hundreds of odd looking hammers? Don't miss the hidden hammers in the stone wall along the sidewalk.
As expected, the museum is a converted house, with walls and walls of every type of hammer you could possibly imagine and many you could not have imagined. I think this type of museum falls under the same category as the Museum of Toilets, or the Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri, or the parasite museum in Tokyo, or the giant ball of string somewhere in the American southwest.... The owners, who started collecting a few hammers on a lark, eventually got a bit carried away. Once others began donating to the cause...well you can guess the rest.
It sounds ridiculous, but I think you won't be sorry you saw it. It's only about 3 rooms, but as I said, the staff make the experience, and when was the last time you could pose in front of a wall of hundreds of odd looking hammers? Don't miss the hidden hammers in the stone wall along the sidewalk.
Written June 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Love the Puns!!! We will have to start using 'Head for The Hammer Museum' That one is great!Thank you for your visit.
Written August 10, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dan Fendel
4 contributions
This is apparently the largest collection of hammers in the world. As I wandered in the collection, I came across an item by a relative of my late wife. He had invented an improved version of the reflex hammer - the thing that doctors use to hit your knee and test your reflexes. I contacted his daughter, and she hadn't known of this invention of his.
Written November 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeff H
Kennewick, WA59 contributions
Couples
When you hear of the hammer museum, you think so what? But it is well worth the $5 admission fee. We were lucky since a tour came through while we were there and the guide explained some of the hammers. His favorite was one that was used to light the oil lanterns on old cars that also had an attachment for smoking and another one for drinking. So it was a driving& smoking and drinking tool! Lots of hammers from the Egyptians to the modern era.
Written April 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Family N
14 contributions
Friends
It sounds like a joke when people say “Go to the hammer museum.” This is a quirky place by so interesting. Hammers of all shapes, sizes and so many different and such different functions. Take time to visit. Who knows you might be able to identify the hammers they do not know what they were used for in the past.
Written January 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
rgylling
Palatine, IL48 contributions
Couples
As folks who enjoy home projects, this place is a hoot! Who knew there were so many types of hammers for every function. Very thorough and interesting. Well worth the 5$ admission! Quirky and fun!
Written October 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Eric G
Florissant, MO364 contributions
Solo
Usually the time of year I travel to Haines, the Hammer Museum was closed. This year, he opened for one night during the Eagle Festival. I made certain to finally visit the museum. Off beat and unique does not begin to describe the place. The 30 foot Hammer off Main Street clearly tells you that you are at the right place. Even the Smithsonian Museum has contributed to this museum. Every sort of hammer you can imagine is represented here, including some novelties. You'll have fun. Usually, a small donation is requested.
Written November 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brittany_11_10
Los Angeles, CA1,603 contributions
Friends
If you love hammers or tools, this is a no-brainer. But, really, how many people LOVE hammers? Clearly the docents of the Hammer Museum do, as evidenced by their massive collection of all types of hammers throughout history. Even if you're not a hammer junkie, as I am not, it's still an interesting place to visit for thirty or forty minutes. There's not a ton of info, but I suppose if you're on a group tour or something you'll get more info. Still fun to see.
Written January 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for visiting The Hammer Museum! We are working on getting more information on the walls so that each individual experience is both fun and educational. Thanks so much for the feedback!
Written August 13, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
feltsoul
Port Saint Lucie, FL195 contributions
Couples
Hammers hammers hammers. This museum is an absolute must see in Haines AK. Every kind of hammer you can imagine and then some. It is a small museum but packed to the rafters with fascinating hammers. Buy the ticket that includes the Eagle Preserve and the Sheldon Museum across the street. Great things to do on a rainy day (which is almost every day) in Haines!
Written December 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Satvik Gupta
2 contributions
How long would you spend here?
Jeff K
Pittsburgh, PA1,451 contributions
My wife and I spent 45 minutes to an hour there. It was very interesting. If you're in to hammers you could spend a lot longer there.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hammer Museum
- Hammer Museum is open:
- Wed - Thu 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Hammer Museum:
- (0.10 mi) The Inn at Haines
- (0.08 mi) Captain's Choice Motel
- (0.10 mi) The Attic, 2 BR downtown apartment, private deck
- (0.08 mi) Oceanside RV Park
- (0.06 mi) The Cottage 2 BR cabin downtown, water view
- Restaurants near Hammer Museum:
- (0.02 mi) The Rusty Compass Coffeehouse
- (0.03 mi) Fogcutter Bar
- (0.07 mi) Alpenglow Wood Fired Pizza
- (0.09 mi) Chilkat Bakery and Restaurant
- (0.05 mi) The Bamboo Room & Pioneer Bar