Sealaska Heritage - Walter Soboleff Building
Sealaska Heritage - Walter Soboleff Building
4.5
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
In May 2015, Sealaska Heritage Institute opened the Walter Soboleff Building—our Box of Knowledge. This cultural and research center is dedicated to the sharing and study of the ancient Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska. It is owned and operated by Sealaska Heritage Institute, a Native American nonprofit conceived by clan leaders, traditional scholars, and elders and founded in 1980. Its mission is to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures. The institute has been on the forefront of documenting and revitalizing endangered languages and cultural traditions and pioneering programs that promote cultural diversity and cross-cultural understanding. The facility is a special place for Southeast Alaskan Natives, and a place where everyone--Native and non-Native alike--can feel welcome and learn something about their heritage. The Soboleff building is like a traditional bentwood box in that it holds our at.oowu--our treasures. In addition to housing our administrative offices, the building contains our climate-controlled archives, our classrooms, the Sealaska Store and our public exhibit, which we call out True Southeast experience. A work of art in its own right, the building contains space for art demonstrations and exhibits, as well as a traditional clan house clad in hand-adzed cedar. It features large-scale work by some of the best artists of our time. Each tribe is represented in monumental art, which includes the installation “Greatest Echo,” huge formline panels on the exterior by the Haida master artist Robert Davidson; an enormous painted-and-carved house front in the entry by Tsimshian master artist David A. Boxley; and—in the clan house inside the building--the largest glass house screen in the world by Tlingit master artist Preston Singletary. The exterior awnings feature formline designs by Steve Brown, and the interior is clad in cedar that was hand adzed by the Tlingit master artist Wayne Price.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
156 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
41
Average
20
Poor
3
Terrible
6
Ocean 215
Coopersburg, PA108 contributions
Sep 2022
The museum is small but the information is vast. Carla, our guide, was incredible. Her knowledge and presentation was worth the visit alone. She spent approximately 45 minutes telling us about the culture and answering our questions. I could have listened to her speak all day. There are exhibits and a few interactive monitors in the museum itself. Wonderful lesson on Native Alaskan people. There is a gift shop that you can enter without going into the museum.
Written September 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AMJ
119 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
For the most part, you see kind of the same things in shops around town, but in the shop here the items are more unique and feel more curated. It can be more expensive, but you are looking at artisan made goods and will pay accordingly. Worth a visit.
Written September 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trish
California62 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
Barely a 1. You’d think since this is a visitor attraction or even a citizen attraction that you’d staff it to be open weekends. Also that the hours would be available. But not so. 2 days in Juneau - a total waste of time and money for any kind of non-cruise ship visitor.
They don’t welcome any other kind here. SAD
They apparently don’t want the local hotels and restaurants to flourish with fly in tourists.
They don’t welcome any other kind here. SAD
They apparently don’t want the local hotels and restaurants to flourish with fly in tourists.
Written March 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank Sories
San Francisco, CA224 contributions
May 2022
Unfortunately I did not have enough time on my port call to visit the museum. The gift shop, however, was a real experience for someone who has been collecting art by Alaska natives for several decades. This was not the kitsch one finds at other tourist souvenir shops lining the downtown streets; it was definitely the real thing. I was enthralled by the boxes, masks, ivory carving, and other artworks/merchandise. It was hard to pick just one item to take home with me, so I left and returned after my ride on the Mt. Roberts tramway. The young ladies who assisted me could not have been more helpful and informative. They made my visit a memorable one. I'd love to be able to return sometime.
Written June 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert D
Brooklyn, New York4,257 contributions
Jul 2022
This building is a must see, both inside and outside. The outside of the building features exterior panels by the Haida artist Robert Davidson. Inside there is a gift shop with native Alaskan arts and crafts, plus three main exhibits. The Sealaska Institute is a native corporation formed to promote the culture of the Southeast Alaska native peoples. You can admire a Tsimshian house front made by David Boxley and the ancestors' house. There were exhibits on traditional culture and a juried art show.
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris L
Niles, MI772 contributions
Sep 2022
Good displays, including a life sized replica of a tribal house that served other functions. Good docent on duty when we were there (an older man, but I failed to get his name). Many of the exhibits were interactive which allows the visitor to selection subjects. A map of the area helps in pinpointing various sites. Only downside is the size of the exhibit space...it is fairly small. But what they do have is done expertly.
Written September 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marty P
Castle Rock, CO20 contributions
Jun 2024 • Solo
So glad I stopped at Sealaska during my visit to Juneau. There is a $7 admission fee for adults. It won’t take you long to get through the exhibits on display. This would be a good stop along the way to or from another planned activity or museum.
I very much enjoyed the presentation by the female staff member about the mural on the wall in the lobby. This female is also Tinklit. She took the time to explain all of the symbolism within each areas of the mural. I love Native American art and culture. I especially love the Tinklit use of totem poles.
If you’re into Native American art & culture, don’t hesitate on this one. There is also a nice gift shop next door to stuff your luggage even further with goodies and souvenirs for family and friends back home.
I would visit here again during my next visit to Juneau!
I very much enjoyed the presentation by the female staff member about the mural on the wall in the lobby. This female is also Tinklit. She took the time to explain all of the symbolism within each areas of the mural. I love Native American art and culture. I especially love the Tinklit use of totem poles.
If you’re into Native American art & culture, don’t hesitate on this one. There is also a nice gift shop next door to stuff your luggage even further with goodies and souvenirs for family and friends back home.
I would visit here again during my next visit to Juneau!
Written June 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Escape67887188406
2 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
Worst shop in juneau when it comes to being treated suspiciously and talked down to if a non native. During celebration. After having bought an item a seller came running after us on the street and shouting if we had taken an item we had asked about with us in an open paper bag we had from another store we had just bought from. No manners at all. They also talked down non natives right behind their backs after they had bought celebration tickets saying «this is our celebration». Well, if a non native dont use your money in this shop. Regret that we did
Written June 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shina L
1 contribution
May 2022 • Friends
I absolutely adore this store for finding beautiful Alaska Native made gifts for friends & family (as well as myself ;). Everyone working in the shop is so sweet & knowledgeable. John is especially a delight to talk to! I look forward to having more time to hear his stories on my next visit and to check out the Sealaska Heritage Arts Campus!
Written May 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne S
1 contribution
May 2022 • Couples
A highlight of our trip to Juneau! We happened upon this gem on its first day open post-pandemic. We were greeted with great enthusiasm. It’s a beautiful Center of Alaskan heritage. The gift shop is stunning!
Written May 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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