In this Oct. 18, 2013 photo, Lacey Simpson poses for photos in the Tongas Historical Museum in Ketchikan, Alaska. Tongass Historical Museum is soliciting submissions for its new exhibit "First in Fish, Ketchikan's Commercial Fishing Traditions" that will open Feb. 28 and run through the summer tourist season. Simpson said the museum is looking for personal stories, a present day photo, family heirloom, a story about a specific event, or an artifact related to commercial fishing. (AP Photo/Ketchikan Daily News, Hall Anderson)

In this Oct. 18, 2013 photo, Lacey Simpson poses for photos in the Tongas Historical Museum in Ketchikan, Alaska. Tongass Historical Museum is soliciting submissions for its new exhibit "First in Fish, Ketchikan's Commercial Fishing Traditions" that will open Feb. 28 and run through the summer tourist season. Simpson said the museum is looking for personal stories, a present day photo, family heirloom, a story about a specific event, or an artifact related to commercial fishing. (AP Photo/Ketchikan Daily News, Hall Anderson)

Ketchikan museum fishing for photos

KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) — Tongass Historical Museum is soliciting submissions for its new exhibit “First in Fish, Ketchikan’s Commercial Fishing Traditions” that will open Feb. 28 and run through the summer tourist season.

The new exhibit will feature the history and stories of commercial fishing in Ketchikan.

“The point of the project is to be able to tell a more well-rounded story of this great tradition of commercial fishing,” Tongass Historical Museum Director Lacey Simpson.

Simpson said the museum is looking for personal stories, a present day photo, family heirloom, a story about a specific event, or an artifact related to commercial fishing.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“It was an opportunity that we thought would round out a very large story that we have a very small record of,” Simpson said.

Senior Curator of Collections Andrew Washburn said the idea for the project came from the idea of wanting to expand the collection of fishing photographs and artifacts. The museum has more storage and exhibit space because the Ketchikan Public Library moved to its new building last year.

“And we wanted to explore new ways to engage with the community in helping us tell the story in the exhibit, and build our knowledge base, whether it is photographs and stories or artifacts,” Washburn said.

Simpson said the submitted photographs will be displayed in a slideshow on a flat screen monitor as part of the summer exhibit.

“Most people in Ketchikan are familiar with commercial fishing, so that content in itself might not be overly stimulating for locals, but it is for visitors,” Simpson said. “Visitors who come to town don’t know what a seiner is, or how salmon is processed, so we want to give them a bit more information.”

Washburn said the museum has two distinct audiences in locals and tourists.

“This is a way that we really would like to show the community, and invite the community, to help define what the museum is,” Washburn said. “The museum is not just a collection of stuff in a building, and this is one of the ways we would like to invite people to participate.”

The submission deadline for photographs and artifacts to be included in the opening reception is Feb. 14, but Simpson said they would continue to accept photographs and stories and add them to the slide show throughout the summer.

Submission forms are available at the Tongass Historical Museum. For additional information, contact the museum at: museum@city.ketchikan.ak.us.

More in Life

A screenshot of a photo from the rescue's Facebook page shows Sushi, a cat looking for a home for over two years now. (Photo courtesy of Clear Creek Cat Rescue)
Southcentral cat rescue seeking foster homes, adopters for stray felines

In 2024, the organization helped rescue 589 cats.

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: I should have known better

It all started off rather quietly.

Capt. Karl Kircheiß, a decorated German sailor, visited Steve Melchior in Seward in 1932.
Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 3

Stephan “Steve” Melchior sent a friend to Katherine to tell her that he had died in Alaska.

File
Minister’s Message: Living like lambs (in the midst of wolves)

The only chance lambs have of survival is if they have a shepherd watching over them, guarding them, protecting them.

A healthy dose of shredded cheddar makes the veggies in this soup palatable even for the most sensitive diner. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Something warm and comforting

This mild and nutritious soup is full of fiber and vitamins, plus a healthy dose of shredded cheddar.

Forever Dance Alaska performers deliver a routine while walking with the 67th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Marydale Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
68th Annual Progress Days events to take place this weekend

The celebration includes events around town from Wednesday through Sunday.

Artist Ingrid McKinstry stands next to her current mixed media exhibit and her work available year-round at Fireweed Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ingrid McKinstry
An exploration of curiosity

Homer artist showcases new and previously completed mixed media pieces.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Attendees dance at Salmonfest in Ninilchik<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
Salmonfest to return for 15th year of fish, love and music

This year’s festival will take place from Aug. 1-3 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik.

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Life in the Pedestrian Lane: AI or not?

AI is here to stay, for better or worse, and we have to recognize that there are limitations to its usefulness.

Most Read