Category:	Tourism By Region
Title:	Haines Convention & Visitors Bureau
Listing URL:	http://haines.ak.us/
Description:	Haines is everything you dreamed Alaska would be – Find yourself submerged in pristine beauty surrounded by abundant wildlife and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure while soaking up the surroundings with experiences from extreme adventure to simple pleasures at a leisurely pace. Located on the shores of the Lynn Canal, the longest, deepest fjord in North America, and home to the first permanent army post in Alaska, Fort William H. Seward, Haines is framed with snow-capped mountains while boasting the best tours and unique museums in Southeast Alaska. Read more. Haines is a central point on the unique Golden Circle Route – take a drive through the history and culture of the Gold Rush Era while you feast your eyes on 350 miles of the incredible scenery. Read more. Native Culture - Tlingits The first people to call the Chilkat Valley home were Tlingit Indians. Originally called “Dei-Shu” or “End of the Trail,” Haines is home of the Chilkat Indians whose mother village is Klukwan, located 22 miles north of Haines. Klukwan is recognized as the earliest of the Chilkat villages and contains many reminders of its rich past. Now the Haines Highway into Canada, and previously the Dalton trail used by gold-seekers, the Tlingit trade route to the interior was dubbed the ‘grease trail’ because the most important item carried was oil extracted from the eulachon fish. Due to the bountiful resources of the area, Tlingits could spend less time on survival and more on developing other skills. Tlingits were the first settlers in the Chilkat Valley, and their traditions still flourish today. Haines and Fort Seward, History Haines was named in honor of Francina Haines of the Presbyterian Home Missions Board. Accompanied by his friend, John Muir, S. Hall Young, was the first missionary to the area in 1879. The purpose of their trip was to scout a location for a mission and a school. The first known meeting between white men and Tlingit took place in 1741 when a Russian ship anchored near Haines and started the fur trade in the area. In 1892, Jack Dalton established a toll road on the Tlingit trade route in to the interior to cash in on gold-seekers and others heading north into Canada. Parts of the Dalton Trail are now the Haines Highway. In 1902, ongoing border disputes between the U.S. and Canada provided the justification for the first permanent army post in Alaska. The white buildings of Fort William H. Seward still stand and are a distinctive landmark of Haines. Decommissioned in 1947, the fort was bought by a group of war veterans with hopes of creating an arts and commerce community. The buildings are now privately owned homes, accommodations, restaurants, galleries, and shops. Established as a result of a border dispute with Canada, Fort William H. Seward was named after the man who negotiated the purchase of Alaska from the Russians. Due to the confusion in the post office caused by the city of Seward also honoring the man, the Fort was renamed Chilkoot Barracks in 1922. The original name was resumed when the Fort was declared an Historic Landmark in 1972. Decommissioned in 1947, five former veterans purchased the Fort with plans to make it an arts and crafts area of the community. Most of the original buildings still stand and are now private residences, accommodation establishments, eateries, and galleries showcasing local art. For more information about the Fort, visit the Sheldon Museum web site at http://sheldonmuseum.org . A Fort Seward Walking Tour brochure is available at the Visitor Center. Pic goes here at a later point The Hammer Museum History and Progress as viewed through the eye of the Hammer * Over 1500 different hammers from the colonial era, through the industrial age to the present day Box 702 108 Main Street Haines, AK. 99827 Phone (907) 766-2374 Email: hammermuseum@aptalaska.net Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center Located across from the Small Boat Harbor at 11 Main Street * Dioramas & artifacts depict the history of Tlingit residence in the Chilkat Valley, the pioneer history of Haines, and the military period of Fort William H. Seward * Groups welcome * Open year-round; call for hours Box 269 Haines, AK. 99827 Phone (907) 766-2366 Fax (907) 766-2368 Email: museumdirector@aptalaska.net American Bald Eagle Foundation Non-profit educational and research foundation with a Natural History museum containing over 100 full-sized specimens (Wildlife * Marine life * Birds) in a diorama representing the Lynn Canal and the Chilkat Valley * Open year- round; call for hours Box 49 Haines, AK. 99827 Phone (907) 766-3094 Fax (907) 766-3095 Email: info@baldeagles.org Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve The Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve was created by the State of Alaska in June 1982. The Preserve was established to protect and perpetuate the world's largest concentration of Bald Eagles and their critical habitat. The combination of open water and plentiful food brings over 3,000 eagles into the Chilkat Valley beginning in early October and lasting until January. The peak of the gathering usually occurs in mid-November. Visitors to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve need only drive 18 miles from Haines on the Haines Highway to find excellent eagle viewing areas. Newly-created pullouts along the highway are provided for eagle watchers and photographers. Interpretive displays, walking trails, and shelters now enhance the experience. Tsirku Canning Company Watch an historic salmon canning line in operation and learn about the fascinating history of the salmon canning industry in Alaska * Located at 5th and Main, downtown Box 418 Haines, AK. 99827 Phone (907) 766-3474 Email: tsirku@cannerytour.com Chilkat Dancers Storytelling Theater Alaska Indian Arts and the Seawolf/Whale Rider galleries are teaming up to produce an exciting, updated version of the traditional Chilkat Dancers' Show. Experience the legends used by the ancient Natives of the Northwest Coast in their elaborate winter ceremonials. With the use of carved masks and traditional costumes, storytelling will bring the ancient legends to life. Properly staged and animated, masked characters will have a hypnotic effect on the viewer as emphasis is placed on character and plot development. Lighting, staging and puppets will bring the show a new level of excitement. The Storytelling Theater will be performed in the Totem Village Tribal House at the Fort Seward Parade Field on a regular basis all summer long. Audiences will get a glimpse into the past magic of Totem Pole and carved screen staging. Showtimes weekday afternoons. Adults $10.00; Children $5.00 Box 776 Haines, AK. 99827 Phone (907) 766-2540 Email: seawolf@tresham.com Haines Totem Poles Ten totem poles can be found in the Haines area. Stop by the Visitors Center for list of totems and their location (or view and download a copy Here). Visitors are welcome at Alaska Indian Arts in the Fort Seward area to view carvers in action. Pic goes here at a later point Chilkat State Park 8 miles south of Haines on Mud Bay Road * Very scenic * 32 pull-through sites, 3 beachfront tent sites * Fire rings, water, toilets, fishing, boat launch, hiking trails, cabin * Summer hosts provide information & reference materials at log cabin interpretive center * Views of Rainbow and Davidson Glaciers * $10/night * Season is from May 15 to September 15 Chilkoot State Park 10 miles north of Haines off Lutak Road * Very scenic * 32 spaces, some with lake views * Fire rings, water, toilets, picnic tables, fishing, boat launch * Summer hosts provide information & reference materials at last sote * $10/night * Season is from May 15 to October 15 Glacier Bay National Park Just 15 minutes from Haines by air * One of the most popular wilderness parks in North America * Spectacular glaciers, alpine scenery, wildlife * Activities include glacier flightseeing, whale watching, day cruises, kayaking, hiking, fishing & camping Contact a Haines air service (go to flightseeing under Tours & Attractions), a Haines travel agency (see Getting To Haines), or contact us at the Haines Visitor Information Center. Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada 3 hours north of Haines by highway * Discover the scenic beauty of the Yukon wilderness * Activities range from rafting the Alsek River to lakeside camping, Hiking - day and overnight, Mountaineering, Interpretive Programs, fishing, flightseeing & skiing * Contact a Haines travel agency (go to Getting To Haines), or contact the Visitor Reception Center in Haines Junction Box 5495 Haines Junction, Yukon YOB 1L0, Canada Phone (867) 634-7202 Fax (867) 634-7208 Email kluane.info@pc.gc.ca Tatshenshini - Alsek Provincial Park 1.5 hours north of Haines by highway * British Columbia's northern wilderness park, which encompasses the headwaters of two of North America's most exciting rivers for rafting & kayaking * Activities include rafting, kayaking, hiking, camping, fishing & skiing *To and From Haines) Postal Bag 5000 Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0 Phone (250) 847-7320 Email vhj@yknet.yk.ca Klukwan The original settlement of the Tlingits, Klukwan translates into “Eternal Village.” This is a flourishing Alaska Native Community known for its rich cultural history and legacy of artwork. The new Klukwan Tribal Tour is the best and encouraged way to see and learn more about the village and its people. For reservations or more information call 907-767-5770. Pic goes here at a later point Alaska Indian Arts Once the Hospital in Fort Seward, Alaska Indian Arts is dedicated to the preservation and continuation of traditional native craft and culture of the Northwest Coast Native Tribes. See carvers and artists at work on masterpieces that have been known to find homes around the globe. http://www.alaskaindianarts.com Box 271 Haines, AK. 99827 Phone/Fax (907) 766-2160 Email: mail@alaskaindianarts.com Hiking For the extreme adventurer to the casual, low impact walk, several trails are accessible to soak up the beauty of the Haines area. Learn about the flora and fauna of the forest on a guided hike or strike out on your own. Stop by the Visitors Center for the Haines is for Hikers pamphlet. Haines Trails Once you click on the link, click on "Haines" to see a map of the local trails. Birding Birding is a growing activity and Haines is a perfect place to indulge the interest being home to a total of 260 species of birds throughout the year. Go it alone and keep your binoculars handy or check out our tour operators for opportunities to enhance the birding experiences of Haines. Click on Birds of the Chilkat Valley Checklist for an on-line, printable version or stop by the Haines Visitors Center. For birding information in Haines and statewide, check out the state program Wings Over Alaska Eldred Rock Lighthouse First lit on June 1, 1906 and one of the remotest lighthouses in North America, the Eldred Rock Lighthouse was built after some disastrous shipwrecks in the vicinity, especially during the 1898 Gold Rush, when the Lynn Canal was full of steamships bringing miners to Skagway for their climb over Chilkoot Pass. Eldred Rock is the oldest original Alaskan Lighthouse building. The octagonal building is constructed of the same huge timbers brought to the island by the US Government in 1905. The light was situated 91 feet above sea level and had a range of more than 15 miles. The fog signal was a first order, compressed air siren. In addition to the lighthouse and quarters, there is a boathouse, tramways and other small outbuildings used for storage and maintenance. There are currently no tours to Eldred Rock although some water tours get close enough for great photos ops. For more information about the lighthouse, visit the Sheldon Museum’s Eldred Rock Lighthouse information page.
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