History & culture in Petersburg

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

Petersburg in brief

Mitkof Island gave Tlingit hunters and fishermen a rich source of game and fish for more than 2,000 years. (petersburg.org · checked Oct 5, 2026)
The Petersburg Indian Association, the local tribal government, has served the Séet Ká Kwáan since 1948. (piatribal.org · checked Oct 5, 2026)
At low tide, Petersburg's shoreline reveals remains of ancient fish traps and petroglyphs left by the area's early people. (petersburg.org · checked Oct 5, 2026)
Peter Buschmann, a pioneer from Norway, came in 1897 and set up the Icy Strait Packing Company cannery along with a sawmill and a dock. (petersburg.org · checked Oct 5, 2026)
Petersburg incorporated on April 20, 1910; by 1920 about 600 people lived there year-round. (petersburg.org · checked Oct 5, 2026)
Petersburg seafood milestones include Earl Ohmer founding Alaskan Glacier Seafoods, Alaska's first shrimp processor, in 1916, and the founding of Icicle Seafoods, later one of Alaska's largest seafood companies, in 1965. (petersburg.org · checked Oct 5, 2026)
The Sons of Norway hall dates to 1912, when 60 founding members took out a loan and sold $5.00 shares to build it; it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. (petersburgsons.org · checked Oct 5, 2026)
Commercial fishing is still Petersburg's largest employer. About 3,100 people live in town year-round, and the population grows each summer as fishermen, deckhands and cannery workers arrive. (petersburg.org · checked Oct 5, 2026)

5 listed

Heritage site · Next to the Sons of Norway Hall

Park beside the Sons of Norway Hall, above Hammer's Slough, with a memorial to local fishing people and a 9-foot bronze of fisherman Bojer Wikan.

Museum · Two blocks up from Nordic Drive

Petersburg's history museum, with Alaska Native artifacts, commercial fishing gear, a fishery and cannery exhibit, and photo archives.

Admission $5; youth and members free. Museum says winter hours may vary, so call ahead.

Heritage site · About 3 miles southeast of downtown

Tideland park with ancient Alaska Native petroglyphs, remains of prehistoric fish traps, and a totem with history panels.

Park also has picnic shelters, a playground, restrooms and forest trails; tide pooling is best at medium to low tides.

Historic site · Downtown Petersburg

Norwegian lodge hall built in 1912 by 60 charter members, on the National Register since 1984; dancers perform for visitors.

Still an active community hall (Syttende Mai, Friday bingo). Leikerring folk dancers perform for visitors per the Chamber.

Totem park · Downtown Petersburg

Two totem poles on a downtown corner that tell the journey of Tlingit ancestors.

Pole names and carvers not given on the source page.

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