Old Wasilla Townsite

Local historians were quick to realize how much of the town's history was being lost to development, so they made an effort to preserve several structures, including: Wasilla's 1917 one-room schoolhouse, the Herning-Teeland-Mead house, the Paddy Marion cabin, Shorty Gustafson's barn, the Blacksmith shop, Wasilla's second Post Office, and the Capitol Site building. Behind the Wasilla Museum and Dorothy G. Page Center, the buildings are situated on lots laid out on the original 1917 Townsite and are available for guided tours Tuesday - Friday between 11 am and 2 pm from May through August. (Click here for video of the restoration effort.)

Herning-Teeland-Mead House

This yellow house (right) has been called home by three different families who also owned and operated Herning's/Teeland's Mercantile. The structure was built in 1936 by Orville G. Herning for his wife, Mattie. Unfortunately, they spent little time in the house because Mattie preferred their living quarters above the store. When the Hernings did use the house, it was usually during summer months to take baths and do the laundry; the house was the first in Wasilla to have indoor plumbing.

Capitol Site Cabin

When the people of Alaska voted to move the state's Capitol from Juneau to Willow in the early 1970s, former governor Jay Hammond stated that he would move into a tent at the new Capitol site. Many people thought a more appropriate structure should be provided, and a fundraising effort was undertaken to build the first structure on the new Capitol site. Though the Capitol's official move was never realized, the Capitol Site Cabin has been relocated as a reminder of the effort.

The Capitol Site Cabin was used as the Gangrene Gulch Ranger Station in the 2014 filming of MOOSE: the Movie.  Written by Wasilla's own Chad and Darin Carpenter, creators of the comic strip "TUNDRA", MOOSE was an independent film made by the community. Props from the movie are on display inside the cabin, and copies of the film are available in the museum's gift shop.

Paddy Marion Cabin

Paddy Marion was a well-known prospector and miner in the Willow Creek Mining District for over 50 years. Paddy and his twin sister ran the Twin Marion Mine in the Hatcher Pass area, but lived in this cabin, which was originally located across from the Dorothy G. Page Center on main street.

Oscar's Sauna

This log building (left) is a to-scale replica (built 1978-79) of Wasilla's first public sauna, which was owned by Rose and Oscar Johnson. Wasilla residents would gather at the sauna to share stories as they eased their aching muscles.

Shorty Gustafson Barn

This barn was the home and work place of long-time Wasilla resident Shorty Gustafson. He was known for his woodwork and craftsmanship. Shorty had a great sense of humor and was a bit of a musician.

Blacksmith Shop

This log building, once Gus Swenson's horse barn, was donated to the Wasilla-Knik Historical Society by Ordeen and Lorrain Jallen. The building was originally located on the lot that belonged to Nels Larson, along with the town's first library building. The building was moved to Wasilla historical park by Bob Lucas, who also donated his time and equipment to move other structures to the park.

Old Wasilla School House

The school house was built in 1917 and was one of Wasilla's earliest permanent buildings. It was completed in just under four months. It needed six students to officially be declared as a working school and the town only had five. Pat Hjellen, who later became one of Wasilla's Mayors, was sent to school at the age of two so that Wasilla could open its first official school of six students.