Valdez Museum Kicks Off Summer Season!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Summer Season Begins at the Valdez Museum

Valdez, Alaska, May 15, 2018 – Museum visiting hours have expanded at the main Museum in the heart of downtown Valdez on Egan Drive and at the Valdez Museum on Hazelet. Both are now open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. seven days a week. A trip to either facility becomes a history lesson about Valdez, Prince William Sound and the whole Copper River Valley.

At the main Museum visitors first come into the Egan Commons where temporary exhibits are housed. They typically display the works of local artists and artwork reflecting the culture and history of our region. Walk further inside to see a variety of permanent exhibits covering the early days when Native Alaskans populated the area to the present. They tell stories of Native culture, early exploration, the Gold Rush, building the Trans Alaska Pipeline, the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill and the history of Alaska Bush pilots.

The Valdez Museum on Hazelet features our Remembering Old Valdez Exhibit. A scale model shows Old Town Valdez as it appeared just before the massive 1964 Earthquake hit. This precise model contains intricate details such as flower boxes and bicycles! Earthquake exhibits enhance the model. The newest is a touch-screen kiosk filled with video clips with the theme of tsunamis and the damage statewide caused by the one in 1964. Highlights include recordings of past residents from Valdez, Chenega Bay and other areas who experienced the devastation firsthand.

Summer brings a host of programs for visitors of all ages. They include Hands on History and Art Summer Camp that runs July 9-13. Younger students come in the morning and older ones in the afternoon. The theme is Native Culture and Natural History. Tuesday Nite History Talks take place the last Tuesday of each month. All start at 5:30 p.m. and last an hour. Easy 1 hour Guided Old Town Walking Tours are scheduled to coincide with low tides for easy access to the waterfront. Several Art Workshops taught by local and visiting artists will occur throughout the summer.

In short, there’s something for everyone at both locations of the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive. Join us in celebrating the rich history of our region this summer!

Contact: Executive Director Patricia Relay                                                         

Tel. 907-835-2764

Email: prelay@valdezmuseum.org

Date: 5/16/2018