Our Mission
Our mission is to preserve, interpret and share the history of the upper Knik Basin (including Knik, Wasilla and surrounding areas) passing on to new generations the stories, values and ideas of those who lived here before us.
Who we are
The Wasilla Knik Historical Society provides a window into the past showing the Knik settlement during the heyday of its existence. The vision includes recognition of the Alaska Native settlement as an integral part of the Knik settlement.
What we do
The Knik Museum and Mushers’ Hall of Fame is housed in one of the two remaining historic buildings from the original Knik townsite. Besides opening the site to the visitors, we also sponsor the local Wasilla Farmers’ Market, the Alaska Day Dinner, the Annual Potluck Picnic and Mushers’ Hall of Fame and other events to connect to our community.
Knik Museum
Established in 1967, the Knik Museum and Mushers Hall of Fame honors the heritage and culture of the Knik area. Knik was an important village and trade center for Native Alaskans long before miners, trappers, tradesmen and homesteaders arrived. The village became a trailhead for the winter dog sled and summer wagon trails to mining areas and grew to a large town by the early 1900s.
Mushers’ Hall of Fame
We celebrate those who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame for their contributions to dog mushing in Alaska.
Wasilla Farmer’s Market
Every summer from June through mid-September, the Wasilla Knik Historical Society sponsors the Wasilla Farmers’ Market. Local farmers, gardeners, bakers, artisans and more sell their fresh produce, jams, jellies, breads and Alaskan made gifts. Looking for that taste of Alaska to send to friends and family? Come on down.
Events
Join us at our yearly picnic onJuly 19, 2026 at 1:00 pm and celebrate the induction of Burt Bomhoff into our Mushers’ Hall of Fame. Or participate in our yearly Alaska Day Dinner and share your yummiest dessert.
Orville Herning Diaries
Written by Orville George “O.G.” Herning
1898 – 1917 Knik, Alaska
1917 – 1947 Wasilla, Alaska
Transcription of Herning’s original leather journals was done between 2005-2011 by Coleen Mielke of Wasilla.
Donate
The Wasilla-Knik Historical Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your contributions are tax deductible.
The Earliest Matanuska Valley Roads
Very little is written about the earliest roads here in the Valley. The following information comes from the Chief Engineer Reports for the Alaska Road Commission 1911-1920.
Transcription of these documents was done by Coleen Mielke of Wasilla.
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Wasilla Knik Historical Society | Wasilla Farmer’s Market | Knik Museum
If you ever wanted to know about the Teeland Store in downtown Wasilla or if you attended our Alaska Day Dinner last month and want to know more of the fascinating story of Walt Teeland, this will be a great place to start!
If you ever wanted to know about the Teeland Store in downtown Wasilla or if you attended our Alaska Day Dinner last month and want to know more of the fascinating story of Walt Teeland, this will be a great place to start!
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Today, we were visited by Kim Sommer, who noticed a portrait of Abraham Lincoln displayed in our museum. This photo with her daughter Kaitlyn was taken after Kim revealed herself as a collateral descendant of the 16th president. His last direct descendant, Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith, died on Christmas Eve 1985 at age 81.
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Violet Elizabeth "Vi" Hoffman (eventual married name Redington) at a Knik area fish camp with her mother Cora Elizabeth Frankfield-Hoffman in 1950.
(Photo from the Redington Family collection)
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Former Knik residents Leon Devere “Lee” Ellexson and his wife Jesse Grace Ellexson sitting on steps during the Cook Inlet Historical Society’s trip to Goose Bay on Sunday, August 14th, 1955.
(Photo from the Sidney Hamilton collection)
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Who's ready to get their farm on? 🐓 I'm so down! We kick off June 3rd, and I'm talking local honey, artisanal everything, and maybe even a crafty souvenir to impress my cat. See you there, fellow farm fanatics! 🎉
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