Last Chance Mining Museum
About This Museum
Tucked away at the end of Basin Road, the Last Chance Mining Museum feels less like a curated institution and more like stepping directly into Juneau's gritty, gold-rush past. You're not just looking at artifacts; you're standing in the very compressor building that powered the massive Alaska-Juneau Gold Mine, once the largest of its kind in the world. The air is cool and carries a faint, metallic scent—a ghost of the industrial frenzy that once defined this place. It’s a raw, immersive experience where history feels almost tangible.
Collection Highlights
The star of the show is undoubtedly the towering, fully intact Ingersoll-Rand air compressor, a hulking piece of machinery that seems to vibrate with silent energy. Don't miss the extensive collection of original drill bits and hard-rock mining tools, their worn surfaces telling stories of relentless labor. Scattered throughout are personal items from miners—a battered lunch pail, well-used dice—that hauntingly bridge the gap between industrial scale and human scale.
Visitor Information
It's a bit off the main tourist path, so wear comfortable shoes for the walk down Basin Road. The museum is only open from May to September, so plan your visit for the summer months. It's compact and won't take all day, making it a perfect, insightful stop before or after a hike in the surrounding valley.
Architecture & Building
The building itself is pure industrial archaeology—a no-frills, heavy-timbered structure clad in corrugated metal, built for pure function over form. Its rugged appearance is perfectly suited to its steep, forested mountainside location.
Contact & Location
Address: Last Chance Mining Museum, 1001, Basin Road, Juneau, Alaska, 99802, United States
Phone: +1 907-586-5338
Website: Visit Website
