Dr. Sheldon Jackson, museum founder, had the distinction of serving in three pioneer fields during the late 1800s, founding Protestant missions and schools, establishing the public school system, and introducing domestic reindeer. In his travels he reached many sections of Alaska, as well as the coast of Siberia, gathering the majority of the artifacts now seen in the museum. Located on the campus of Sheldon Jackson College, the museum was established in 1888 to preserve the natural and cultural history of Alaska. The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, was constructed in 1895 and is the oldest concrete building in the state. Since 1984, it has been one of the Alaska State Museums. The Museum Shop carries Alaska Native handicrafts, arts, carvings, baskets, dolls, and silver, as well as publications and graphics relating to the collections.