Wickersham State Historic Site Juneau Alaska - Image 1
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Wickersham State Historic Site Juneau Alaska

4.3
·18 reviews·Juneau, United States

Explore the preserved home of Judge Wickersham, a key figure in Alaska's territorial past, offering a glimpse into history.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more personal tours

CrowdLow
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Wickersham State Historic Site Juneau Alaska - Image 1

Wickersham State Historic Site Juneau Alaska

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more personal tours

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Explore the preserved home of Judge Wickersham, a key figure in Alaska's territorial past, offering a glimpse into history.

4.3
(18 reviews)

"A cool little historic site, impressive that his house has survived all this time."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Check Cruise Ship Schedule

Plan your visit around cruise ship arrivals to avoid peak crowds.

📚 Research Judge Wickersham

Understand his complex legacy for a richer visit.

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.3 · 18 reviews

Type

Historical Landmark

🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Wickersham's Historic Home

Wickersham's Historic Home

First Floor

Step back in time in the preserved residence of Judge James Wickersham, a key figure in Alaska's territorial era.

Engaging Docent Tours

Engaging Docent Tours

Throughout the house

Gain insights from knowledgeable guides who bring Judge Wickersham's life and the home's history to life.

Neighborhood Charm

Neighborhood Charm

Surrounding streets

Explore the picturesque neighborhood with its beautiful homes, offering a pleasant stroll before or after your visit.

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Planning Your Visit

Timing is Everything

Juneau's Wickersham State Historic Site can be surprisingly busy, especially when cruise ships are in port. To avoid the largest crowds and enjoy a more intimate experience, aim for early mornings or late afternoons, particularly on days when fewer ships are scheduled. Checking the cruise ship calendar for Juneau can be a smart move before planning your visit. TikTok

Understand the History

Judge Wickersham was a pivotal, yet complex, figure in Alaska's territorial history. While his home is a preserved piece of the past, it's worth familiarizing yourself with his contributions and controversies, including his discriminatory actions. This context enriches the visit and offers a more nuanced understanding of Alaska's development. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more personal tours
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoons
Why
Cruise ship crowds thin out
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Reply to @isaiahfields23 safety 1st, I just got lucky & ph was on a tripod rolling #alaska #Outdoors #explore #adventure #juneau #landslide #runforestrun @thedirtyexplorer @thedirtyexplorer
@thedirtyexplorer
8.6M likes • 58.9M views

🎯 Check Cruise Ship Schedule

Plan your visit around cruise ship arrivals to avoid peak crowds. TikTok

📚 Research Judge Wickersham

Understand his complex legacy for a richer visit. Reddit

#greenscreen #Alaska #AlaskaCruise #JuneauAlaska #Juneau #Totem #KootéeyaaDeiyí #Kootéeyaa #TotemTrail #DecolonizeTravel #CulturalTourism
@notoriousraven
91.3K likes • 386.1K views
#greenscreen another spot in Juneau Alaska. That’s a lot of cruisers. Don’t get to where you compose with the whale fountain in the fountain goes off every so many minutes. ##juneau##juneaualaska##weliveonacruiseship##sectetspot##alaskacruise##cruisetok##hollandamericaline
@dutchworld_americangirl
16.6K likes • 276.2K views

🚶‍♀️ Explore the Neighborhood

Enjoy a pleasant walk through the historic streets surrounding the site.

📞 Call Ahead for Hours

Confirm operating hours, as they can change. Reddit

Watch until the end, the most haunted place in Juneau #hauntedplace #haunted #weliveonacruiseship #livingonship #cruisetok #cruiseship #cruiseshipliving #hollandamericaline #juneaualaska #alaska #juneau
@dutchworld_americangirl
15.6K likes • 246K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Check Cruise Ship Schedule

Plan your visit around cruise ship arrivals to avoid peak crowds. TikTok

📚 Research Judge Wickersham

Understand his complex legacy for a richer visit. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Explore the Neighborhood

Enjoy a pleasant walk through the historic streets surrounding the site.

📞 Call Ahead for Hours

Confirm operating hours, as they can change. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.3
(18 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find Wickersham State Historic Site a cool, well-preserved piece of Alaska's territorial history, often praising the engaging docents. However, some note the importance of understanding Judge Wickersham's complex and sometimes controversial legacy, which adds a layer of critical reflection to the visit. Occasional issues with outdated opening hours information have been reported.

"Cool little historic site. Wickersham was an important figure in Alaska's territorial days, and it's impressive that his house has survived all this time. Only the first floor is available for exploring."

Norman Tweet

"NOTE: I did this tour in 2017.

Standard historical house tour with an excellent, warm, and inviting tour guide. That said, I would recommend reading up about Judge Wickersham - he had some noteworthy foibles, particularly involving a history of discriminative actions against Asian Americans and of being a seemingly pathological liar. Despite that, the home itself is well-kept and it's always worth taking the opportunity to revisit a piece of history, if only to increase our awareness of how things came to be."

Junnie Chup

"I was a dental student from Portland, Oregon and spent the summers of 1966 and 1967 driving taxi for Yellow Cab in Juneau. I took many tourists to the "House of Wickersham" to listen to Ruth Alman's {niece of the judge] historical narratives. She served sourdough pancakes and rose hip jam after the lecture. Before leaving my last summer in 1967, she gave me her sourdough starter. I have kept it viable to this day."

Fay Lee

What People Like

Historic house preservation
Knowledgeable docents
Piece of Alaska history

What People Dislike

Outdated hours info
Complex historical figure

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Wickersham State Historic Site is located in Juneau, Alaska. While specific public transport details aren't widely shared, it's generally accessible by car or taxi from downtown Juneau. Many visitors arrive via cruise ship, and the site is a short distance from the cruise port. TikTok

It is a walkable distance from the cruise port, though the exact time will depend on your pace and the specific dock you arrive at. Consider the weather and your mobility when deciding whether to walk or take a short taxi ride. TikTok

Parking information for the immediate vicinity of the historic site is not extensively detailed. If driving, inquire locally or look for public parking areas in downtown Juneau and plan for a walk. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Opening hours can vary, and it's crucial to check the official website or call ahead. The site has experienced closures, including extended periods due to COVID-19, so verifying current operating status is essential. Reddit

Advance ticket purchase information is not readily available. It's best to assume tickets can be purchased upon arrival, but checking the official site or calling ahead is recommended, especially during peak season. Reddit

Admission fees are not consistently published online. It's advisable to check the official website or contact the site directly for the most up-to-date pricing information. Reddit

Information regarding accessibility for visitors with disabilities is limited. Given it's a historic house, access may be restricted to certain areas. It's recommended to contact the site directly to inquire about specific accessibility features. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The main attraction is touring the first floor of Judge Wickersham's historic home, guided by knowledgeable docents. You can also explore the surrounding neighborhood with its charming houses. Reddit

A visit typically takes about an hour, allowing time for the guided tour and a brief exploration of the immediate surroundings. Reddit

Information on multilingual tours is not readily available. Tours are generally conducted in English. Reddit

Photography policies inside historic homes can vary. It's best to ask your docent upon arrival about any restrictions on interior photography. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The exterior of the historic house offers charming architectural details for photos. The surrounding neighborhood also provides picturesque street scenes with historic homes. Reddit

Photography rules inside historic buildings can be strict to protect artifacts. Always confirm with your guide before taking pictures indoors. Reddit

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