History & culture in Metlakatla

The people and history of Metlakatla: museums, cultural centers, totem parks and historic sites. Every fact links to its source.

Metlakatla in brief

Anglican missionary William Duncan led the founding of Metlakatla (Maxłaxaała) in 1887. (metlakatla.com · checked Oct 6, 2026)
About 800 Tsimshian people left the coast of British Columbia in 1887 and travelled north by canoe to Annette Island. (krbd.org · checked Oct 6, 2026)
Per Sealaska Heritage, Annette Island was made a reservation in 1891 and remains the only one in Alaska. (sealaskaheritage.org · checked Oct 6, 2026)
Metlakatla is a traditional Tsimshian community whose name means 'salt water passage'. Tlingit, Haida and other Alaska Native people also live there. (dot.alaska.gov · checked Oct 6, 2026)

1 listed

Historic site

Home built about 1891 by Tsimshian people for missionary William Duncan; the town's oldest building and on the National Register since 1972.

A 2016 KRBD report described it as a mini-museum; no current hours found. Check with the Metlakatla Indian Community, (907) 886-4441, before going.

Every business here is listed free. To add photos, your own description and a booking button, or to sit at the top of your section, see the plans.

Hours, phone numbers and even whole businesses change. If you spot a mistake, tell us and we'll check it and fix it.