Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
about 1 month ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
about 1 month ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
about 1 month ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
about 1 month ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Alaska Valdez Valdez Museum & Historical Archive

Valdez Museum & Historical Archive

Permanent exhibit reminds visitors of the Exxon Valdez.

Valdez, Alaska

Added By
Nick Jackson
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Inside the Valdez Museum & Historical Archive in Valdez, Alaska. (Press Photo)   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Valdez-Museu...
Inside the Valdez Museum & Historical Archive in Valdez, Alaska. (Press Photo)   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Valdez-Museu...
Inside the Valdez Museum & Historical Archive in Valdez, Alaska. (Press Photo)   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Valdez-Museu...
Inside the Valdez Museum & Historical Archive in Valdez, Alaska. (Press Photo)   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Valdez-Museu...
Inside the Valdez Museum & Historical Archive in Valdez, Alaska. (Press Photo)   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Valdez-Museu...
Inside the Valdez Museum & Historical Archive in Valdez, Alaska. (Press Photo)   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Valdez-Museu...
Inside the Valdez Museum & Historical Archive in Valdez, Alaska. (Press Photo)   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Valdez-Museu...
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The small town of Valdez in Alaska (it is home to only about 4,000 people) is perhaps best known for the Valdez Marine Terminal, an oil port situated at the southern end of the Alaska Pipeline. The Valdez Marine Terminal served as the point of departure for the Exxon Valdez just prior to the ship's massive oil spill that occurred in Prince William Sound. When the the Exxon Valdez struck the Bligh Reed, it spilled more than 260,000 barrels of oil into the Sound in an accident that is considered one of the most devastating environmental disasters in history.

That disaster is remembered in the halls of the Valdez Museum & Historical Archive, where an entire exhibit has been constructed around the Exxon Valdez. This museum, which was established more than 100 years ago by prospector Joseph Bourke, who was known for his small collection of curiosities, features many other exhibits in addition to the one about the oil spill. Among those exhibits are a fully operational 1886 hand-pumped fire engine, prisms from the Fresnel lighthouse lens, and photographs from 1898 of the first gold-hunting trip across the Valdez Glacier.

Bourke's collection of curiosities was damaged in 1964 when a massive earthquake destroyed many structures within the community. The earthquake, which lasted for more then five minutes and measured 9.2 on the Richter scale, was the most powerful ever recorded in America. After Valdez relocated to its present site, concerned residents saved what they could from the museum's collection, which has continued to grow ever since. One particularly fascinating piece on display in the museum is a 30 x 40-inch scale model of the town as it looked before the 1964 earthquake.

Related Tags

Museums And Collections Collections

Know Before You Go

The museum is located on Egan Dr. between Tatilek and Chenega Avenues.

Community Contributors

Added By

nbj914

Published

July 25, 2011

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • Roadside America: Valdez, Alaska - Earthquake Town - Valdez Museum: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/5436
  • Valdez Accomodations & Attractions: http://www.valdez-alaska.com/valdez-museum.htm
  • Wikipedia: Valdez, Alaska: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valdez,_Alaska
Valdez Museum & Historical Archive
217 Egan Drive
Valdez, Alaska, 99686
United States
61.129389, -146.354629
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Cordova Fisherman’s Memorial

Cordova, Alaska

miles away

Kuskulana River Bridge

Chitina, Alaska

miles away

Whittier, Alaska

Whittier, Alaska

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Alaska

Alaska

United States

Places 102
Stories 45

Nearby Places

Cordova Fisherman’s Memorial

Cordova, Alaska

miles away

Kuskulana River Bridge

Chitina, Alaska

miles away

Whittier, Alaska

Whittier, Alaska

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Alaska

Alaska

United States

Places 102
Stories 45

Related Places

  • Neuhausen, Germany

    Nussknackermuseum Neuhausen

    Home to the world's largest collection of nutcrackers.

  • This plush velvet holds a series of spoons from Great Britain.

    Davenport, Iowa

    Mississippi Spoon Gallery

    More than 10,000 spoons, some more than a century old, are gathered here.

  • Silverare

    Weyburn, Saskatchewan

    Soo Line Historical Museum

    The museum showcases the largest private silver collection in Canada, featuring 3,333 pieces.

  • Imperial peachblow glass is visually striking.

    Bellaire, Ohio

    National Imperial Glass Museum

    Collectors keep the story of Ohio Valley glassmaking alive.

  • Bentside Spinet

    Manchester, England

    RNCM Collection of Historic Musical Instruments

    Over 300 historical instruments from around the world can be found in the Royal Northern College of Music's basement.

  • Coins from all over the world are represented here.

    Berlin, Germany

    Berlin Coin Cabinet

    One of the largest numismatic collections in Europe fell victim to a huge theft.

  • The Hat Museum is located inside a former Church of God building.

    Forrest, Illinois

    Jerry's Hat Museum

    Thousands of hats, pens, and pencils, hanging inside the walls of a former church.

  • Outside Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum in Boulder City, NV, with the owner’s custom hearse parked in front.

    Boulder City, Nevada

    Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum

    A professional special effects makeup artist’s collection of horror creatures and one-of-a-kind recreations on display in downtown Boulder City.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.