The Dawson City Museum & Archives is a cultural history museum and community archives located in Dawson City, at the heart of Tr’ondëk-Klondike—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—on the traditional and contemporary territory of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in in Yukon. Established in 1959, the Museum is now operated as a private, non-profit organization governed by a board of directors.
The Museum’s collection features more than 14,000 artifacts, 30,000 photographs (many of which are available online at dawsonmuseum.ca), and thousands of archival documents and ephemera, reflecting the full scope of human history in the region. It also maintains a specialized library containing primary and secondary sources related to the Klondike. The library and archives support both on-site and remote requests for historical and genealogical research.
During the summer months, the Museum welcomes thousands of visitors who participate in interpretive programs such as guided tours, demonstrations, theatre presentations, and archival consultations. Visitors can also explore the gift shop and a historic ‘train shelter’ housing a collection of 19th-century steam locomotives. In the off-season, the Museum primarily serves local residents, researchers, and community groups.
Since 1962, the Museum has been housed in the Old Territorial Administration Building (OTAB) on Fifth Avenue. This two-storey, neo-classical structure—built in 1901 and designated a National Historic Site of Canada—was restored in the 1990s. Today, it features four permanent galleries that showcase the human history of the Tr’ondëk-Klondike region through the Museum’s rich collection. The building’s original council chamber has been preserved and continues to serve as a functioning courtroom.
