Palmer Heritage & Musk Ox Farm
-
Port
Anchorage, Alaska, US
-
Activity Level
Moderate
-
Excursion Type
All
-
Wheelchair Accessible
No
-
Starting At
$194.95
-
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
-
Duration
Approximately 6 Hours
-
Meals Included
Meals included
Journey to Palmer, renowned for its agricultural and farming heritage. Meet up with a local guide for a walk through the downtown area and a behind-the-scenes introduction to some of the town's genteel old buildings.
Learn about what the glaciers left behind during their post-Ice Age retreat thousands of years ago and why they're integral to the agricultural story. Hear about the people who have called the area home for millennia -- the Ahtna and Dena'ina tribes. Today, Palmer is rooted in the musk ox Matanuska Colony Project of 1935. The original trading post, school, teacher's dorm, and superintendent's home are part of your walk back through time.
You've seen them on postcards and in your nightmares; now it's time to meet the musk oxen whose Native name, oomingmak, translates as "the bearded ones." Head to the Musk Ox Farm, nestled in the pastoral Matanuska Valley. The domestication project, begun more than 90 years ago, has left a legacy of the lively herd you see today. More than seventy musk oxen, from frolicking calves to powerful bulls, live here in peace and harmony. Learn all about the gentle and sustainable husbandry of the musk oxen on a privately guided walk. The education staff are delighted to share with you their passion for these immense beasts.
Afterward, view the beautiful qiviut (musk ox fur) products and other curated items made by local Alaskan artists.
A catered lunch at the farm ties together past and present. When in season, locally sourced produce will be incorporated into this delicious experience.
Notes:
Dietary requests must be made 72 hours in advance. Petting of the oxen is not allowed. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, cobblestones, inclines, dirt, gravel, grass, rocks and steps. The trail may be muddy; wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes that you can wash. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations.