Established in 1968, the Clausen Museum is dedicated to preserving the history and telling the story of those who have lived and worked in Petersburg and the surrounding area.

The Tlingit Indians have fished in the Petersburg area for thousands of years. Russia's sale of Alaska to the United
States in 1867 opened the area to people from all parts
of the world.

Hundreds of fishermen and laborers
flocked to Petersburg from all over the
world to make their fortune in silver...
the color of salmon. Fishing was the
mainstay of the economy but soon
merchants, businessmen and families
followed the fishermen to the area.
Petersburg is home to one of the
largest fishing fleets in Alsaka