by Margaux Sky

Created on: July 04, 2009

Alaska formally became the 49th state of the United States on January 3, 1959, but the history of Alaska goes long before. The state is typically known as The Last Frontier or Land of the Midnight Sun, but its motto is North to the Future. Its capital is Juneau. In 1949 the state chose the Forget-Me-Not as its state flower. As of 1955 the Willow Ptarmigan is the bird that represents this glorious state, and the King Salmon fish symbolizes only one of the abundance of wildlife that Alaska offers. The state gem is the Jade, and the Bowhead Whale is the marine mammal that epitomizes the aquatic adventure living in the glacial waters of Alaska. Alaska is brimming with its pride and joy of trees the Sitka Spruce, and of course, Gold is the mineral that embodies the full character of a long ago Alaska.

There are many things exciting about Alaska and its most popular city Anchorage. Anchorage holds many historic locations that are a must to see when traveling through this spectacular state. What reveals a city's indigenous heritage and history better than a museum and what better place to begin your discover of such a magnificent city? Anchorage provides ample history in museums such as the Alaska Native Heritage Center (8800 Heritage Center Drive / Anchorage, AK 99506) where the culture of the Native Alaskan people come alive through rural village exhibits of the Aleut, Yupik, Qargi, Athabascan, and Alutiiq peoples. Cultures of art, jewelry, clothing, tools, drums, and cookware bring nostalgic warmth to viewers. Here is offered the chance to recognize the eleven linguistic groups of the Athabascans groups in Alaska.

Crow Creek Mine, though an hour south of Anchorage, is a renowned gold mine that allows its visitors to dig for gold nuggets. Get a feel for how gold miners lived, breathed, and worked. You'll understand the importance of this mineral that so fascinated people that it, solely, has fashioned the world economic system as it stands today. Visit the Eklutna Historical Park and Museum 16515 Centerfield Drive, Eagle River, AK 99577.

Oscar Anderson, the city of Anchorage's town butcher, built his own home in 1915 that so impressed the public, that it has been turned into a museum. It was the first permanent structure in Anchorage strongly suggesting to the tent cities that were of the norm of that era that Anchorage was a place to settle into for a lifetime. Oscar Anderson House Museum 420 M Street Anchorage, AK (907) 274-2336.

Certainly in visiting historic

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