One of the highlights of the Ketchikan [1] area, the Totem Heritage Center (907/225-5900, www.city.ketchikan.ak.us [2], daily 8 a.m.–5 p.m. May–Sept., Mon.–Fri. 1–5 p.m. Oct.–Apr., $5 adults, children under 12 free) is a quarter-mile walk up Deermount Street. The center was established in 1976 to preserve a collection of 33 original totem poles and house posts retrieved from abandoned village sites.
Unlike other totems in the area, these works are not brightly painted copies or restorations, but were carved more than a century ago to record Tlingit and Haida events and legends. Guides answer your questions and put on a short video about the totem recovery program.
Surrounding the building is a short trail with signs identifying local plants. Out front is the Fog-Woman pole by noted carver Nathan Jackson.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/alaska/southeast-alaska/ketchikan
[2] http://www.city.ketchikan.ak.us