University of Alaska Museum of the North - Fairbanks

The next day we visited the University of Alaska Museum of the North....located in Fairbanks, this museum has award winning exhibits which give the visitors an introduction to this vast and diverse state. Exhibits focused on the cultures, wildlife, geography, and history of each of Alaska's five major geographic regions. Highlights included Alaska's largest public display of Alaskan Native culture and Blue Babe (the world's only mummified steppe bison) on exhibit. Of course, we can't forget about Otto the Bear... Otto is a male bear weighing 1250 pounds and standing 8 feet 9 inches tall.....he was taken at Harendeen Bay on the Alaska Pennisula in 1950 and donated to the museum in 1951. This bear has greeted guests at the entrance to the Gallery of Alaska since the exhibit opened in 1980. Here are some photo highlights of our visit.