Soldotna Historical Society & Museum
Soldotna Historical Society & Museum
5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Soldotna Historical Museum, located on Centennial Park Rd, features a wildlife museum and historic log village. Among the log buildings is the last territorial school built in 1958, where students studied by the light of gas lanterns, still hanging in the school. Soldotna's founding settlers arrived in 1947. The "habitable dwellings" which entitles two of these first homesteaders to 160 acres from what is now mid-town Soldotna are part of the village. How the latter-day pioneers lived is revealed in a collection of homestead artifacts and photos in the former Chamber of Commerce log tourist center. Damon Hall, a large building constructed for the Alaska Centennial, features an outstanding display of wildlife mounts with a background mural of these species' natural habitat. The museum is open May 15-Sept 15 of each year. There is free admission. The museum is operated by the Soldotna Historical Society & Museum, Inc.; a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the early history.
Duration: < 1 hour
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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.
5.0
58 reviews
Excellent
47
Very good
10
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Betty Phillips
Killeen, Texas10 contributions
Aug 2020
We stopped here out of curiosity as we were headed to Homer. The sweet woman who took us around (in the rain, I might add) was so personable. She grew up in Soldotna and shared so much of it's story. From the one room school to the earthquake of 1964, she put a really personal touch on the history. We are so glad we stopped.
Written September 9, 2020
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.
sue32846
Palm Desert, CA7 contributions
Aug 2020
Wonderful museum. The guide was extremely informative and learning the history is very interesting. Even my teenage boys listened reasonably closely. The best of the tour is at the end so don’t cut out early. We highly recommend this outing. Value is the best as it is free but I am sure a nice donation would be helpful.
Written August 6, 2020
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.
SocialDave
Bloomington, IL35 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
Wandering in a rental car on the Kenai peninsula landed us in Soldotna, Alaska. A quick check with TripAdvisor quickly let us know that we must stop at the Homestead Museum. I can't tell you enough how great this advice was. We learned the local history from the daughter of a true homesteader.
There are several original homesteader buildings including homes, a school, food cache, and community building. While the buildings seem to be nineteenth century, they are actually mid twentieth century. The town was settled by homestead benefits given to World War II veterans who had to boat or walk to this Alaskan area with little in the way of conveniences and no existing infrastructure.
You definitely will not be disappointed with this museum - there is something here that will interest you and better, you will meet interesting locals.
There are several original homesteader buildings including homes, a school, food cache, and community building. While the buildings seem to be nineteenth century, they are actually mid twentieth century. The town was settled by homestead benefits given to World War II veterans who had to boat or walk to this Alaskan area with little in the way of conveniences and no existing infrastructure.
You definitely will not be disappointed with this museum - there is something here that will interest you and better, you will meet interesting locals.
Written August 29, 2013
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.
SunshineKodiak
Henniker60 contributions
Jun 2012 • Couples
This small museum, with several buildings, is very worthwhile and takes only an hour or two. It is staffed by volunteers who know so much about the area, the homesteading families, and the log buildings on site. So worthwhile! Easy to find and well worth your visit!
Written July 14, 2012
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.
hunel
st. Louis10 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
No one wants to see a museum when the fish are biting but you really must take time out for this one.
Written September 16, 2014
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.
Jillzy28
Utah104 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
Great if you're short on time, but lots of info if you'd like to linger. Kids (12-16) loved it too. Original buildings from early Soldotna settlement; schoolhouse, cabins, boats, etc. We walked from our condo near the Safeway. Volunteers are helpful and knowledgeable.
Written August 19, 2014
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.
Reba D
Stuart, FL109 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
Really enjoyed seeing some of the homestead cabins and other buildings on property. 2 ladies on premises the day we went were very knowledgeable. One took us to each building and explained a little bit about what we were seeing. It was a great way to spend 45 minutes.
Written July 8, 2014
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.
J H
147 contributions
Jun 2012 • Friends
A friend and I arrived just before it opened. One of the docents was there waiting and told us some interesting stories about the place. When everything was unlocked, he took us around and showed us the cabins and schoolhouse. An interesting place for kids and adults. I even learned how the Alaskan flag came into being and that's a really fascinating story!
Written September 24, 2012
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.
Bill H
Grand Prairie, TX7 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
Carroll took our group on a well informed tour of all the exhibits and buildings. She was a walking encyclopeda of information and answered every question we could think of. It helped, I'm sure, that she lived the life that she was teaching us about, her parents having been some of the original homesteaders in the area. Visitors will enjoy the personal tours and children get extra attention. They will LOVE the bear...
Written July 17, 2015
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.
Pamela R
Glen Rock, PA270 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Informative and helpful. We stop here every trip through Soldotna. Mostly we enjoy the walk to the edge of the river to watch the fishermen, fish and eagles. They keep this place looking so pretty with all the flowers planted around it. And the boardwalk to the river is great!
Written June 29, 2015
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.
Hi, I wondered how far you are from Denali Park and if there is any transportation to and from your cabin. We will be taking the train.,
Written February 28, 2015
Soldotna is a three hour drive South of Anchorage. Closest train gets to Soldotna is Whittier, I believe. You would need to rent a car or take a bus from ANChorage.
Written February 28, 2015
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