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
Our official schedule of events for Sunday!
A free guided walking tour of the south Knik townsite will be part of our Mushers' Hall of Fame festivities on July 19th! This is a rare opportunity to see where the loading docks, gardens, bachelor homes, intersections, and most businesses once existed. Don't miss it!!!
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Each year, the Wasilla-Knik Historical Society designs a special cachet to honor its new Mushers’ Hall of Fame inductee(s).
They also choose a local dog driver to carry the cachet to the Bjorn Cabin on the Iditarod National Historic Trail.
Upon arrival, a volunteer U.S. Postal Service worker hand-cancels the cachet with a unique stamp valid only for that day.
We are pleased to have Isaac Redington, the great-grandson of Joe Redington and history’s first-ever fourth-generation Iditarod contestant, as our official cachet carrier for 2026!
(Photo by Mushers’ Hall of Famer Jeff Schultz)
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As a courtesy to those who plan to attend our Mushers' Hall of Fame event on July 19th, here's what the forecast looks like for that afternoon. Please come prepared and we will, too!
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Willow Branch Farm will be set up in their trailer closer to 10. So you can still get your veggies and baked goods
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I just checked the weather they are calling for 100% rain and the high winds are going to continue. So the Market will be closed tomorrow. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. See you on Saturday have a wonderful week!
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