We would like to thank Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area Organization (KMTA) for the grant that allowed us to digitize our collections. If you have any further questions about the photos presented on this page or the physical collections of the museum, please write to the museum via the contact form on this website.

Mining in early Girdwood

The majority of the photos in this album come from the James E. Girdwood Photo Album. James E. Girdwood came up to Alaska in 1896 and established 4 gold claims. The town of Glacier City was named after him in 1907, and the town still carries his name, “Girdwood”.

Vintage Alyeska Resort

In the last couple of centuries, gold has played a crucial role in the attraction to the Crow Creek area. Since the 1800s, miners have rushed to it, in the form of nuggets and dust, with their pans and sluice boxes. By the late 1950s, Alyeska Resort’s international popularity brought another rush–this time for world-renowned athletes seeking to reap gold, in the form of medals, with nothing but a pair of skis or snowboard.

Old Warming Hut-turned-Museum

The Roundhouse at Alyeska Museum opened in the summer of 2008. The former warming hut / dining hall / bar was renovated into a museum to showcase the beginnings of Alyeska Resort and the town of Girdwood. The Roundhouse Museum is an extension of Girdwood, Inc, a non-profit organization.

Welcome to the Roundhouse at Alyeska Museum!

Take a virtual walk through the Roundhouse at Alyeska Museum. The 360 degree viewing windows and viewing deck allow for some stunning sights of the Turnagain Arm and Chugach Range. Hope to see you soon!