Museum of the North

The University of Alaska Museum of the North, located on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, is a fascinating multidisciplinary museum showcasing Alaska’s natural history, cultural heritage, and art. Its exhibits offer a remarkable look at the state’s wildlife, Native cultures, geology, and diverse artistic traditions.

A friend of Melinda, shown in blue, has a son named Grant who is working on his master’s degree in ornithology. He gave us a fascinating tour of his lab space and a behind-the-scenes look at the research and work that goes into studying birds.

Birds

and more birds

Blue Babe is a famous mummified steppe bison that lived approximately 36,000–50,000 years ago. Miners discovered the frozen carcass near Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1979. Remarkably preserved, Blue Babe bears deep claw marks believed to have been made by an ancient American lion. Its striking blue coloration is caused by vivianite, a mineral that formed in the iron-rich tissues of the animal. This a reproduction. 

In our behind the scenes tour we got to see Blue Babe's actual skull

Beautiful indigenous clothing. 

The water proof jacket is made from animal intestine 

Gorgeous woks of art

This garment made from salmon vertebra 

Leaving the museum we went to U of A's Large Animal Research Station

This is Bret's favorite Musk Ox

and these are his favorite Caribou 

Musk Ox need these massive horns to assert dominance 

when they charge each other at 30 mph 

A muskox’s undercoat is called qiviut. It is eight times warmer than sheep's wool and finer/softer than cashmere. Lacking lanolin, it is hypoallergenic and not itchy. 1-ounce pure qiviut lace yarn averaging $115 to $167.

Wood Bison fur

Wood Bison that are being reintroduced to Alaska 

They are larger than Plains Bison