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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Below is a photo of Chester Earl Bartholf (1901-1999) and his sister Mabel Ruth Bartholf-Miller (1907-1994) visiting the Knik Museum on Friday, June 29th, 1990.
They were the children of Willow Creek District miner John Tyler Bartholf (1874-1945) and Leora Lola Smith-Bartholf (1879-1947) and the siblings of Edith May Bartholf (1899-1959), Pearl A’Dean Bartholf (1905-1977), and Marjorie Lola Bartholf (1909-1923).
The family began moving into Knik around 1905 and settled half a block north of our building on a hill overlooking the Knik Lake swim hole.
Six years later, John Bartholf staked a claim on the west side of Reed Creek and named it “Mabel Mine” after his third daughter.
Chester Bartholf, along with his sisters Marjorie, Pearl, Edith, and cousin Ralph Sundlon Bartholf (1900-1991), made up one-quarter of Knik’s first public school when it opened on Thursday, December 12th, 1912.
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Just a reminder that we are open today from 1 to 6 p.m. Come out of the rain and visit with us!
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Below is a ladies’ baseball game at Knik Park with the home team playing against Anchorage in July 1915.
They crossed bats at the venue twice that month.
The first contest, originally scheduled for two innings, occurred on July 5th.
It reportedly ended in a 10-10 tie after five innings.
The second contest, originally scheduled for five innings, occurred on July 24th.
Knik won by a score of 29-26 after four innings when the umpire called a halt due to darkness.
Knik Park saw more activity over the next two summers before everyone went to Wasilla.
It had been abandoned for decades when submerged by the great earthquake of 1964.
A pond was left behind, which Joe Redington used to park the Nomad at high tide three years later.
He could never get it back out.
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