Museums Alaska began in the late 1970's as a committee of the Alaska Historical Society . The growth of the museum community led to the separate organization that incorporated in 1983. By 1987 Museums Alaska had expanded its membership, hired a part-time executive director to provide membership services, and began publishing a quarterly newsletter. More than 60 cultural institutions are represented in Museums Alaska with members as far north as Barrow and as far south as Ketchikan. The organization serves museums as remote as Anaktuvuk Pass Cultural Center, and as urban as the Anchorage Museum of History and Art.
Membership is open to all individuals and institutions concerned about Alaska's cultural heritage.
Meetings of the general membership are held annually in an Alaska community. The annual conference provides a forum for discussion of museum issues, an opportunity to network and connect with peers, and a celebration to recognize outstanding professional contributions. The 1997 conference focused on Cultural Tourism, and the 1998 conference hosted the Western Museums Association with more than 400 participants from nine Western states. The 1999 conference is scheduled in Anchorage for October 5-9 in conjunction with the meetings of the Oral History Association. Future Museums Alaska conferences are planned for 2000 in Ketchikan, and 2001 in Valdez.