Scott Carrlee and Ellen Carrlee
Abstract
The vast, sparsely populated state of Alaska is often thought of as isolated, both geographically and culturally. However, many small museums have successful collections care and preventive conservation programs as well as fruitful relationships with conservators. This paper summarizes the economic and civic factors in the history of Alaskan Museums as well as the well-timed and consistent message delivered by a variety of professionals connected to the George Washington University/Smithsonian Training Program. The paper also addresses the importance of the ethnographic conservation approach in the success of collections care in Alaska.