Totem Bight State Park

After years of discouraging Native traditions, the 1938—1942 Civilian Conservation Corps Program provided Native carvers with meaningful employment and a chance to revive the art of Northwest Coast carving. Over 100 totem poles were transported from Tlingit and Haida villages to developed "parks" throughout Southeast Alaska, including Totem Bight. These totem parks were created as an attraction for the developing Inside Passage tourism industry. Today the iconic Totem Bight Clan House remains a popular destination for locals and visitors.

Modern image
Photographer: Courtney Kemble
Pictured (left to right): Liam Kiffer and Cody Kemble
On loan courtesy of Liam Kiffer and Cody Kemble, L2015.4.78.1

Historic image
Totem Bight community house facade, 1939
Photographer: Sixten Johanson
Pictured: Unknown
Donor: Sixten Johanson, THS 68.12.3.11